Aileen Carroll

[Canadian International Development Agency, November 19th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, first and foremost let me advise the hon. member that the Government of Canada through CIDA does not give money directly to the government of Vietnam. What it does is enable that country to reduce its poverty, to grow in governance, and we assist in a variety of initiatives to do just that.

If the hon. member and his colleagues are concerned about the human rights records of these countries, allow us to assist these countries by building their rule of law capacity so they are able to change exactly what the member and his colleagues are not happy about. Also, I might add that the standing committee is looking at this issue.

[Canadian International Development Agency, November 19th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, CIDA has its priorities straight. We do an enormous amount of development aid with Africa, but at the same time we are very cognizant of the importance of China and our relationship with China.

China is a country in an economic and socio-political transformation that is indeed quite uneven. We have the opportunity to provide China with the expertise that is required to build governance and also to input reforms so that China, which is a world power, continues to be so in the right direction.

[Anti-Personnel Land Mines, November 19th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, next week's Nairobi's summit marks the halfway point between the treaty's entry into force and the deadline for the first countries to clear their minefields.

At the summit, world leaders, international NGOs, youth activists and my own parliamentary secretary will measure progress to keep this issue on the international agenda.

Canada and many members of the House have been actively involved in the action plan for the implementation of the Ottawa treaty because mine action is a precondition for poverty reduction.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, November 18th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we have excellent relations with the United States. Just after the election, the Prime Minister called President Bush to congratulate him. My colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, called his counterpart as well. Together we are working for the future prosperity and security of this continent.

I might add that my relations as well as many of my colleagues with our American counterparts are incredibly positive. We look forward to working with them for all of the interests of this continent.

[International Aid, November 15th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I do not have in front of me the actual cost projections for the trip. I assure the hon. member I will look into that and ensure that there is not a disproportionate ratio.

However, Canada's reputation on the landmine convention, known as the Ottawa convention, is one of which we are enormously proud. I am delighted to understand that my colleagues will be attending, as well they should.

[International Interests in Mobile Equipment (aircraft equipment) Act, November 15th, 2004]

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

[International Interests in Mobile Equipment (aircraft equipment) Act, November 15th, 2004]

moved that the bill be concurred in.

(Motion agreed to)

[International Aid, November 4th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we could play the game of numbers, but I think that instead we should listen carefully to what Mr. Stephen Lewis said. He speaks to the reduction of poverty. He speaks to the commitment that my agency and this government have to that reduction worldwide. I can mention, if we want statistics, that in 2003 Canada ranked eighth among OECD members by ODA volume. I can tell members it is fourth among G-8 members by ODA GPI, but really I think it is about coherency, effectiveness and our commitment to world poverty.

[International Aid, November 4th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we have just received at CIDA an 8% budget increase last year and this year. That means we will be doubling our budget by the year 2010. We have a large and important commitment by the Prime Minister and the government to give us resources to effectively work with other donors, other countries and the UN to achieve the millennium development goals. It has a great deal to do with effectiveness and our resolve. I am very comfortable with the directions and the resources that I have.

[International Cooperation, November 2nd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, after the commissioner submitted her report I had the opportunity, having sought it out, to sit and speak with her about the results of that report. Although there were some criticisms to be made, on the whole her comments were quite complimentary.

The eight projects that she looked at were about five years ago, and while she did indeed make recommendations with regard to CIDA's ability to measure, I can assure the hon. member that we are very engaged in improving our track record in that--