Pierre Pettigrew

[Treaties, May 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, with permission of the House and pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I would like to table, in both official languages, the treaties that entered into force in Canada in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

In keeping with recent practice, I am also tabling CD-ROMs that contain the text of these treaties in an electronic format. The CD-ROMs have reduced paper burden, while at the same time providing wide accessibility to the treaties through the Library of Parliament.

[Foreign Affairs, May 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, we will continue to work with the other members of the World Health Organization to ensure that Taiwan is appropriately represented at these institutions. We will ensure that population benefits from and contributes to the services that the World Health Organization can provide. We hope there will be further progress this week.

[Foreign Affairs, May 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has always supported appropriate representation for Taiwan at the World Health Assembly. We have been working quite actively with others toward making that a reality.

Canada would most certainly support a World Health Assembly consensus regarding Taiwan's participation in and access to the World Health Organization. We are encouraged by the very fact that our efforts have been noticed and appreciated by Taiwan's representative in Geneva, the vice-minister of foreign affairs and most recent, from Taiwan's minister of health.

[Foreign Affairs, May 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the government is ready to answer with regard to the Wheat Board and the other allegations. It seems the Conservatives have a hard time focusing their minds. I do not exactly know what is going on with the research bureau on that side of the House.

In the case of the oil for food program, I would like to draw to the attention of the House that this is a matter for the United Nations. It is being investigated at this very time and we will of course watch to see exactly what the inquiry will do. The opposition seems to be quite keen to jump on any kind of allegation, even an international one, if it can--

[Foreign Affairs, May 3rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, this is a question that we believe was out of order. It is not that there is no member of the government ready to respond. I am ready to respond.

Mr. Maurice Strong is not a Canadian government employee. Mr. Maurice Strong works for the United Nations. He has denied all of the allegations and this government believes that as long as there are allegations, we need inquiries which the United Nations is conducting right now.

This government is ready to respond, but this is not the kind of question we should have on the floor of this House. This is not government business.

[Agriculture, May 2nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the questions raised by the hon. member for Joliette are very important. We are very interested in the supply management issue.

I know that my colleague, the Minister of International Trade, is currently examining the situation, specific cases cited by dairy producers, and it is his intention to discuss with them in the near future the strategy to be followed in the coming days and weeks.

[Foreign Affairs, May 2nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Strong has been absolutely clear. He has denied these allegations. We in this Parliament should respect an eminent Canadian who has worked very hard and very well at the United Nations.

There, as in the sponsorship inquiry since the member raised it, we should take allegations for what they are, and that is, allegations which are not proven. Let the people at the United Nations do their investigation, as we are saying that Gomery should be doing his report on allegations here. Let us bring back some sense in this House.

[Foreign Affairs, May 2nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, there is an investigation that is being done on the whole oil for food program at the United Nations. I can say that Mr. Strong has absolutely denied these allegations. This country should be very proud of the role Mr. Maurice Strong has played over the years in his work in systematically making progress at the United Nations institutions. We should certainly respect Mr. Strong, who has absolutely denied these allegations and not resonate them across this country.

[Foreign Affairs, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows very well the approach that we are taking.

We always discuss with the government of China the reality of Tibet, the quality of the human rights that are absolutely essential there, but this is a government that at the same time allows the private sector of Canada to develop around the world. We absolutely demand that our Canadian companies continue to work well on international markets. The private sector has some autonomy in the world. We know that as well they reflect Canadian values as much as possible.

[Sponsorship Program, April 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has always been very clear. All ambassadorial appointments abroad are “at the pleasure of the government”, as we say. In the case of the ambassador to Denmark, the pleasure of the government had reached its limit. Accordingly, given the allegations and that the country's reputation was at risk of being affected in the time it would take for the Gomery inquiry to clarify the facts, the ambassador was recalled. Such is the reality.