House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 52% of the vote.
Foreign Affairs November 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we are in regular contact with our American counterparts. I assure the House that I will contact the U.S. embassy to share with them Canadians' concerns regarding all of these types of incident.
However, a handful of such incidents should not hinder the close relationship between two countries that have the best relations in the world.
Foreign Affairs November 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and I never enter into war. We are the best of collaborators on all these things.
The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration made a very good point saying that landed immigrants in this country are reliable because they are admitted to this country under very strict guidelines. We will continue to tell our American colleagues that fact.
It is also a fact however that the practice of visas is one that is followed. This is not a visa that is being applied to Canadian citizens. We must therefore respect what the United States is doing while at the same time drawing to its attention the nature of Canada, the nature of our immigration policies and the desire we have to have a free and open border between our two countries.
Foreign Affairs November 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I had a personal conversation with the ambassador who assured me that he had spoken to Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Powell and instructions would flow to end this practice. I believe that the ambassador had a similar conversation with the leader of the fifth party.
The ambassador of the United States has issued a press release stating that this practice is coming to an end. I have total confidence that the ambassador of the United States is stating to this country what is the official policy of the United States of America.
Foreign Affairs November 4th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we have had the assurance of the U.S. ambassador to Canada that it would end.
As I said the other day, naturally, it may take some time for the administration or officials in the administration to act on broad policies, but I am confident that this practice will end, as we were assured by the United States. We have established a good relationship with the U.S. on this issue.
Foreign Affairs October 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is absolutely correct. Exports to Iraq need UN approval because it is the United Nations which issues the export permits. If a UN permit has been issued, Canada approves the export and it takes place. It is a misunderstanding to imply that the American authorities are the ones stopping the export. It is a decision by all of the countries via the United Nations.
Foreign Affairs October 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, in the first place, the important thing is to say that, as usual, we are working out these matters. It is our common security between Canada and the United States, and we work out these matters together as friends and neighbours.
The American ambassador made it clear that he has spoken with both Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Powell. They have given firm assurances that this matter will be dealt with by the American administrative authorities in a way that will ensure that the place of birth in a Canadian passport will not in any way affect individuals crossing the border and that all Canadians will be treated as Canadians when travelling on Canadian passports.
Foreign Affairs October 31st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as I told the member in committee this morning we have filed complaints with the United States. As I said to the member and as I have said in the House, a Canadian is a Canadian for all purposes. We maintain that. We maintain it with our American authorities. I have also said that the American authorities will work this out with us in a spirit of neighbourliness.
I wish to report to the House today that I spoke to Mr. Cellucci just before I came here. He informed me that, in the future, Canadians carrying Canadian passports will not be treated any differently depending on where they were born or for any reason whatsoever.
Foreign Affairs October 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we will of course do all we can to protect Canadians. Obviously this is still a matter for the U.S. authorities.
The individual involved was unfortunately in the United States when stopped, but we will make representations to the U.S. authorities to get him back home to his family as soon as possible.
Terrorism October 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we have made it as plain as we can in the House. We have shut down the financing for Hezbollah's military activities. The government has taken actions against Hezbollah. It has been listed under the UN regulations. There is no fundraising. It is not allowed. Funds have been seized in this country.
I believe the hon. member should perhaps, before taking facts as proven that are under investigation in a foreign country, wait until there has been a decision by the foreign judiciary before he makes allegations of this nature in the House.
Terrorism October 30th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I totally withdraw the allegation. Now maybe I can answer the question.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize to the member and I apologize to all the members.
However, this is a matter that has been raised in the House on many occasions. The hon. member knows that we have listed the military wing of Hezbollah. What the hon. member's question suggested was that this person was involved in military activities by Hezbollah, in which case that has been listed by the government and we will repress terrorism in all--