House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 76% of the vote.
Human Rights June 12th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the foreign affairs minister.
The governments of the world, including Canada, have made strong representations to the Government of Nigeria about its alleged human rights abuses. The desire for peaceful, democratic changes has been widely promoted around the world. Can the minister tell the House the progress made in this area?
Human Rights June 12th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the governments of the world, including Canada, have made strong representations to the Government of Nigeria to stop its alleged human rights abuses. The desire for peaceful, democratic change has been widely promoted.
We have been making statements and innuendoes that something should be done. To this point these statements have had little or no effect on the Nigerian government.
The minister is well aware that the imposition of sanctions and the boycotting of Nigerian oil would have little hope of success. If they did work, it would take a great deal of time.
We encourage the Minister of Foreign Affairs to not only push for more rapid and concrete action against Nigeria but to consider demanding the outright removal of Nigeria from the Commonwealth until it improves its human rights record.
Republic Of Macedonia May 29th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the decision to grant diplomatic recognition to the former Yugoslav Republic is long overdue.
In 1995 Greece recognized its independence and yet last month the Minister of Foreign Affairs was still writing letters saying Canada could not recognize it because of its dispute with Greece. It seems the minister does not really know what is happening in this case.
The UN also recognized this country. Still the government delays and evades the issue. I would like the minister to give me one reason why Canada cannot now recognize and give diplomatic recognition to this country.
Republic Of Macedonia May 29th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, for a month now Reform has urged the government to reverse the current policy on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and grant immediate diplomatic recognition to this country.
I ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs if he is now willing to grant diplomatic recognition.
Foreign Affairs May 28th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I do not feel very reassured when it comes to human rights like this that there is very much concern there.
It has been reported that this ship has been operating out of Taiwan. We hear the minister saying that it is owned in Romania. It is owned in Taiwan. It is operated by Maersk Shipping of Madison, Wisconsin.
Will the Minister of Foreign Affairs end this kind of charade we see over there and call Maersk Shipping? The phone number is right here and I can table it. Will the minister ask that the ship be voluntarily held here until the investigation is completed? I have already asked them that.
Foreign Affairs May 28th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, the government took extreme measures to seize foreign vessels when turbot were at stake, not to mention votes, but it refuses to act immediately when murder was alleged on the container ship Dubai .
If the Dubai tries to sail from Halifax without the allegations of high seas murders being fully addressed by the RCMP, will the justice minister commit to detaining the Dubai and holding its crew until the investigation is complete?
Republic Of Macedonia May 28th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, over three weeks ago Reform urged the government to reverse its current policy on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and grant immediate diplomatic recognition to this country.
Unfortunately the minister has not taken Reform's advice. I have been given a recent letter, dated April 4, 1996, sent by the minister on this topic in which he makes it clear that the government is not prepared to grant diplomatic recognition.
The reason given for this is "concerns regarding bilateral disputes between FYROM and the Republic of Greece". This is a poor excuse, considering that Greece willingly recognized this country on September 13, 1995 and signed an accord to this effect over nine months ago. I have a copy of the accord if the minister would like to read it.
The UN has also recognized the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, so why cannot the Canadian government get its act together, learn the facts and grant diplomatic recognition today?
Haiti May 27th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, this is the exact point. Our peacekeeping missions seem to be made up with knee-jerk reactions at the last minute.
This option is up at the end of June. Boutros Boutros-Ghali visited the Prime Minister on the weekend. He definitely said he would like Canada to participate in extending this mission.
The Prime Minister then said that we need two things. Can the minister not assure the House that at least we will have an answer to those two questions: international involvement and the UN finds a way to pay the bill.
Haiti May 27th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, this weekend the UN Secretary-General asked Canada to extend its peacekeeping mission in Haiti to the end of the year. The Prime Minister's office indicated that there would have to be significantly wider international support for the mission and that the UN would have to pick up the tab for this to be considered.
The minister and I both know from personal experience how much it would cost to fulfil the mission to Haiti to really make a difference. Will the Minister of Foreign Affairs state clearly to the House that Canada will not consider renewing the Haiti mission unless these two criteria are met?
Petitions May 13th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, like the previous member, this petition has to do with Bill C-33 but was not certified in time.
I rise today to present to Parliament a petition signed by 484 people in my riding and from other parts of Alberta. The petitioners call upon Parliament to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation, that which the courts have declared to be the law.