Bill Graham

[Haiti, February 10th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that the situation in Haiti is of great concern.

This morning, I discussed it with Secretary of State Powell. We are working with the United States. The Prime Minister is in contact with the leaders of CARICOM regarding the situation in Haiti. We are implementing measures taken by CARICOM. We are working with the Francophonie, the United States, the OAS and CARICOM to put an end to violence in Haiti and to have a political dialogue. This is the only way to solve the problems in that country. We are very active and we will continue to be.

[National Defence, February 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as we have constantly repeated in the House, several things about this issue are clear. We are presently having discussions with the United States of America to assure ourselves that we are giving the best possible defence to Canadians in a shared security with the United States about the North American continent.

In that context we have told our American partners that we have no intention of participating in any program that would involve the weaponization of space.

There are those in the United States who are talking about requesting funds. Actually, they are putting it off into the future. They are not bringing it forward. They are putting it back. I think the member should--

[Missile Defence Program, February 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the current plan announced by the Americans is totally land-based.

It is a land-based plan. It has nothing to do with space. It is only the opposition that has space on the brain and is constantly trying to invent this whole scenario concerning the weaponization of space.

The members of the House need to let us discuss the defence of North America with our American colleagues, with whom we share the responsibility for security, and thereby let us act in the best interests of Canadians with regard to space.

[Missile Defence Program, February 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, there is much speculation with regard to the missile defence shield.

This government has begun discussions with our American colleagues, with whom we share responsibility for the security of North America, to see if we will share with them responsibility for our defence against missiles.

We will continue these talks. We will protect our interests, and we have no intention of participating in the weaponization of space, no matter what.

[Government Contracts, February 9th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, this matter was raised in the House on Friday and I replied then by pointing out that the Auditor General would be presenting her report to the House tomorrow. We will have an opportunity to examine it.

However, as I said Friday, the House can be confident that the government will take all steps necessary to preserve the reputation of Canada and our diplomatic integrity abroad.

[Reinstatement of Government Bills, February 6th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I am somewhat confused by the member's last answer and the speech by the member for Yorkton--Melville who preceded him. I understood them to say that the legislation which is being reintroduced by us into the House at this time should not be reintroduced, that it is some sort of extraordinary thing that we are bringing back legislation that was on the Order Paper in the fall and which was incomplete.

Then the hon. member, quite rightly I thought, engaged in a thoughtful presentation of his views about Bill C-49 which is an important piece of legislation.

The question I have to ask him is, does he agree with his colleague the member for Yorkton--Melville that we should not be proceeding with this legislation, that we should not be reintroducing important bills, that we should not be reintroducing the electoral act? What does he think we should do, just start over completely and have nothing to do with previous governing issues which the country has to deal with that remained uncompleted in the last session when we were sitting?

It seems to me the government is proceeding in a very important and very logical fashion. We had much legislation which members of the House had been wrestling with. Bill C-49 is an example and there are others. We naturally reintroduce them into the House to allow members to debate them, to discuss them.

To take the attitude that this is some bizarre position being taken by the government I just do not understand. I leave it with you, Mr. Speaker, and with the hon. member that the elections act which gives to many citizens of our country an opportunity to participate in new electoral boundaries and new constituencies is very important. If in fact it can be reintroduced and enabled to come into effect earlier rather than later, I would have said that it is in the interests of those citizens who have the right to have constituency boundaries and constituencies that are more representative for them.

[Foreign Affairs, February 6th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as I said, I do not believe that the ambassador cancelled the proposed meeting. The ambassador offered to meet with the family at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem and will be more than happy to do that. He has offered to attend on the family in Canada when he returns to Canada.

We wish to offer our condolences to the family in these tragic circumstances. As I have said, the wife of Dr. Goldberg is an American citizen. Ambassadors are attributed to countries where they are. We were prepared to meet with the family in that country, and that is the appropriate thing. We offer our deepest condolences in these circumstances.

[Foreign Affairs, February 6th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as the House knows and as the hon. member knows, I immediately upon the notice of the terrible, tragic death of Dr. Goldberg, offered the condolences of the Canadian government, the Canadian people and of this Parliament.

Our ambassador was prepared to meet with the family in Jerusalem, which is appropriate. Unfortunately, that was not possible. There was a suggestion they might meet elsewhere, but our ambassador, as the American ambassador and others do, takes the position that they do not go into places which are disputed at this time.

We are willing to meet with the family. We offered them our condolences. It is a very sincere wish on our part that the family understand our deep sympathy at this time.

[Government Appointments, February 6th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as I said to the House, the report will be deposited on Tuesday. The House can be confident that the government will take the appropriate steps necessary to deal with this situation in a way that preserves the integrity of our diplomatic service and the integrity of the reputation of this country abroad.

[Government Appointments, February 6th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as the House knows, all ambassadorial appointments are at the pleasure of the government. The government and the House know that the Auditor General's report will be deposited on Tuesday. The House can be confident that the government will take the appropriate steps to preserve the integrity of our diplomatic corps and to preserve the reputation of Canada.