House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 52% of the vote.
The Middle East April 11th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, yesterday's question did not address that article. The hon. member is well aware of the difference between articles 6 and 7 of the UN Charter.
In order for a military intervention under article 7 to be accepted, it must obtain the approval of the Security Council.
Should such approval be obtained, Canada would do its part. This, however, is not the case at the present time.
Fundraising April 11th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I totally reject the allegation that the government has overruled recommendations from CSIS and the RCMP. The government has made an analysis of the situation, which I have explained in the House on several occasions. We are seeking to allow legitimate fundraising activities for humanitarian purposes in this country, which in every other country are also allowed.
We also have a strong policy against allowing any fundraising for terrorism of any kind. I once more ask the hon. member, if he has proof of criminal activity of the type that he is alleging here in the House, to bring it to us and of course we will examine that. We are interested in the security of Canadians and in achieving peace in the world.
Fundraising April 11th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as I answered the question yesterday in the House, the government is completely against fundraising for terrorist activities in this country. We have listed institution after institution. We are in the forefront of those countries that are following the United Nations regulations in denying fundraising to terrorist institutions.
We have made a distinction, as has the British government, between one aspect of Hezbollah's activities, and we have clearly indicated that any fundraising for terrorism for terrorist activities by Hezbollah in this country is not allowed under Canadian law. If the hon. member has any indication, any proof otherwise, we would be quite happy to examine it with him to see whether--
International Criminal Court April 11th, 2002
Madam Speaker, it is my honour to inform the House this morning that at a special ceremony held at the United Nations headquarters in New York earlier this morning the Rome statute of the international criminal court received its 60th ratification. This means that the Rome statute will proceed to enter into force and the international criminal court will become a reality.
Today's number of ratifications demonstrates the overwhelming international public and political support for the international criminal court as a means of ending impunity for the most horrific of crimes. Today's achievement of the required 60th ratification represents the culmination of more than half a century of efforts towards the realization of a permanent International Criminal Court.
Having been signed by 139 countries and now ratified by more than 60, the international criminal court will be a truly international court. The ICC will have jurisdiction to try genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in instances where countries are unable or unwilling to prosecute.
The Rome statute also contains significant developments in international law for the victims of violence in times of conflict.
The Rome statute will now enter into force on July 1, 2002, notably Canada Day. I think this is most appropriate as Canada is recognized as a world leader in the creation of the international criminal court having been involved in the process from the very beginning.
Canada ratified the ICC in July 2000 and became the first country in the world to pass comprehensive legislation implementing it in the form of the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.
Canadians have served in key positions during the negotiations and preparation of the ICC and, through our ICC campaign, Canada has provided assistance to countries to ratify and implement their obligations under the statute.
In informing the House of this landmark event, I would like also to reaffirm Canada's continued support of the establishment of the international criminal court. Canada will continue its involvement in creating the court and providing assistance to countries to promote the widespread ratification and implementation of the Rome statute.
Today is truly a milestone for international justice. I invite all members of the House and all Canadians to join me in congratulating all those, particularly my predecessor, Lloyd Axworthy, and members of the House, like the member for Mount Royal, who have worked so hard for the international court, and to celebrate with us this historic day.
Middle East April 10th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Prime Minister, the defence minister and I have made it very clear to the House that what Canada is willing to do is examine any practical suggestion that is made to deal with peacekeepers in the Middle East.
We cannot, however, respond to a question or a situation until we are actually given an actual question. When that question comes, when the world community is willing or able to work on this, we will do our part. I assure the House that we are willing to do our part. The moment is not yet right. When it is, we shall act and we shall act forcefully, as Canadians have always done.
Middle East April 10th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question because it points out the incredibly positive role that Canada has been able to play in this very difficult dispute.
The issue of the refugees goes to the core of the ultimate solution to this, and Canada's role has been crucial in establishing what degree of trust we can between the two parties to work on this. It does require the two parties to come together. Canada has constantly said that we are willing to resume our role and we will resume our role. We would like them to come back to the table. We would be happy to resume that.
If the hon. member can help through his contacts on either side with parliamentarians, we would be grateful for all the help we could get on this incredibly important dossier, for this issue and for Canada.
Middle East April 10th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the object of leadership obviously is to be attacked on all sides and we seem to have been able to achieve that in this event.
We strongly believe that the position we took in Geneva, which was directed toward achieving peace, that it was inappropriate in those circumstances for the international human rights commission to be engaged in a process in which we had mandated the security council to find peace. That resolution was totally directed against Israel. It was unbalanced and unfair and we Canadians will stand up always to support that--
Middle East April 10th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I totally accept the premise of the question. We agree that the establishment of the international criminal court, in which Canada takes great pride for having been one of the leaders in forming, has been weakened by the absence of the United States.
We have always urged our American colleagues, through the administration and through Canada-U.S. parliamentary groups, which have good contacts in the United States, that they should ratify and become a member of the international legal community where they can bring their force and their sense of law so the world law will be better served. We will continue to do that.
Middle East April 10th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, if I understood the question correctly, the Bloc Quebecois is proposing that Canadians invade the Middle East.
That is an interesting idea, but I think that it would be irresponsible of us. We, as Canadians, are there to support the peace; when the parties are ready, that is what we will do. We are always there for that. But to intervene otherwise would be more than risky and would not, I think, advance the necessary peace process.
Middle East April 10th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Mercier, who is very knowledgeable about foreign affairs, is well aware that when it comes to a peace process, the brokers of peace will do their work when the parties have agreed to their presence.
That is where Canada can still do its best. That is where we will be. Right now, our focus is on getting the parties to be receptive to peace. That is what needs to be done right now.