House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 52% of the vote.
Passports December 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. member and the House that the passport office in our department is making every effort to ensure the security of Canadians and the security of the Canadian passport, which is one of the most secure travel documents and is admired around the world.
If the hon. member has a sincere desire to cure the problem, he could bring the issue to me instead of raising it as a political matter in the House. I would be happy to receive the passport.
Canadian Landmine Fund November 29th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I am pleased to table, in both official languages, the Report on the Canadian Landmine Fund, 2001-2002.
Canada has made a positive difference in the world in leading to eliminate these terrible weapons and bring relief to their victims. We will continue with this important program which is of such benefit to people around the world.
Terrorism November 19th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as you know very well, we do not discuss in the House specific cases with respect to criminal activity.
I can assure the House and the entire country, however, that we are vigilant when it comes both to repressing terrorism and to protecting the rights of Canadian citizens when necessary.
Question No. 4 November 18th, 2002
Legislation mandating the domestic implementation of the proposed Kimberley process certification scheme for rough diamonds was tabled in the House of Commons on October 10, 2002, and completed third reading on November 8. The proposed legislation, Bill C-14, has now been referred to the Senate. At a ministerial meeting of the process held on November 5, 2002, in Interlaken, Switzerland, representatives of Canada and more than 30 other countries, and the European Union, restated their commitment to introduce the scheme beginning on January 1, 2003.
Iran November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I will be happy to inform the member as to the specific resolutions that will come up before the Human Rights Commission.
I want to assure her and members of the House that I have raised this issue. I raised it with the Iranian foreign minister when I met with him at the United Nations General Assembly. We have always taken these concerns to the Iranian authorities and we insist absolutely that Iran's place in the world depends on its willingness to conform to international human rights standards. We will work with the government and the people of Iran to give them the chance to do that.
Foreign Affairs November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we have certainly raised this issue with U.S. authorities. We defend the rights of every Canadian citizen.
However, U.S. authorities have told us that Mr. Jalbert was asked twice not to cross the border into the United States. So, this is a special situation. Having said this, I can assure all members of the House that we will defend the interests of every Canadian citizen. We are doing so for Mr. Jalbert, even under these circumstances.
Border Security November 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the first thing I would challenge in the premise of the hon. member's question is to suggest that these are arbitrary measures.
The arbitrary measure was to take somebody on the basis of where the person was born. We raised this with the United States and they responded to us as good neighbours do and said they would look at it. They have come back with a positive response. Mr. Ashcroft said this morning that will no longer be their policy.
We cannot say to our American allies that they cannot take objective standards and objective measures to ensure their security. We are assured by them that is what they are doing. We will monitor the situation and we will work with them always to ensure the security of our borders together.
Terrorism November 6th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the military wing--and finally we are speaking of the correct wing and I appreciate the member's precision in this respect--is listed under the UN regulations. It cannot raise money in Canada; it is banned in Canada.
As the hon. member will know, anyone conducting terrorist activities in Canada is guilty of a criminal offence and repressed under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Terrorism November 6th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, first, I must remind the hon. member that when the Prime Minister was in the room of which he speaks the American ambassador was sitting virtually right beside the gentleman of whom he speaks. We must bear these things in mind. In terms of international affairs, sophisticated people recognize we must work together to resolve these problems.
Second, I am finally pleased that the hon. member has recognized that the United Kingdom makes a distinction between the military wing of Hezbollah and its social wing, which is what we do in Canada, and finally the hon. member has got the point.
Foreign Affairs November 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I promise the member that I will send the American ambassador a copy of today's Hansard so that he can read about these problems for himself.