Vivian Barbot

[Afghanistan, September 18th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Defence mentioned the possibility of Canadian soldiers being stationed in Pakistan. In addition, we have learned that the USA was pursuing members of al Qaeda as far as Pakistan and that Canada would like to have a similar agreement with that country.

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs tell us whether the Canadian government is getting ready to alter the nature of the mission in Afghanistan so that soldiers can go as far as Pakistan, as a NATO source suggests? Is this something the government is considering?

[Afghanistan, September 18th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian mission in Afghanistan should not be just a military mission, but also a humanitarian mission that allows for the establishment of a more democratic system. But from the information we get it seems that international aid is not reliably getting to those who need it, that poppy crops are flourishing, and the Taliban are getting increased support from the people.

Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs clarify what is happening with regard to the humanitarian and democratic aspect of the Canadian mission in Afghanistan?

[Federal Accountability Act, June 20th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her excellent presentation on access to information.

Personally, I find that this aspect is seriously lacking in the bill before us. You and I are often present in this House—perhaps you are obliged to be here more than me. The typical response of the governing party, particularly the cabinet, always begins with “As everyone knows, the Liberal Party did nothing for the past 13 years”. Their answers often end there. They have one line that they repeat endlessly.

The fact that the Access to Information Act is not at issue will serve as a shield for this government later on. I believe it is extremely important to continue to exert pressure in order to ensure that the government understands the importance of this component.

Does my colleague consider the Access to Information Act as an essential tool in the exercise of democracy? I do not really understand how the government has failed to grasp the importance of this and of including it in the legislation.

[Official Languages Commissioner, June 20th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, on July 31, the term of office of the fifth Official Languages Commissioner, Ms. Dyane Adam, will come to an end.

A psychologist, teacher, exceptional administrator and woman of conviction, Ms. Adam has worked throughout her career to promote recognition of the rights of the francophone linguistic minority, the status of women, health and education.

From 1999 to 2006, Ms. Adam promoted the French language. She was able to update the minority status of French as a language of service and language of work. With integrity, authority and determination she made equality of the French and English languages a reality.

The Bloc Québécois notes with pleasure that Ms. Adam will be living in Île d'Orléans, Quebec.

Good luck, Ms. Adam. We thank her for her good and faithful service.

[Official Languages, June 13th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the minister stated, and I quote: “In fact, in the military, francophones are represented in a higher proportion than in the overall population”.

How can the minister say that francophones are represented in a higher proportion in the military and justify that 68% of positions designated as bilingual are held by anglophones who are not bilingual? Does he not realize that his statement makes the situation even worse than what has been criticized?

[Official Languages, June 13th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, regarding the Canadian Forces' lack of compliance with the Official Languages Act, the Minister of National Defence attempted yesterday to justify the Canadian Forces' practices, which have been criticized by the Commissioner of Official Languages.

Does the Minister of National Defence not feel that he is in a very delicate position since, starting in the 1980s, he held senior positions in the Canadian Forces that require bilingualism, when he is clearly not bilingual?

[Health, May 29th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society found that women with silicone breast implants had very high levels of platinum salts in their urine and hair, which could cause toxic reactions, such as asthma and nerve damage, and weaken the immune system.

Given these results and the astronomical number of breast implants women have received, will the minister review the current special access program for medical devices?

[Francophonie, May 16th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would point out to the hon. member opposite that Mr. Diouf is not the government of Senegal and that it is indeed the government of Senegal, through its ambassador, that is calling for an apology.

Since 1988, under the Agence de la Francophonie and the Institut de l'énergie et de l'environnement de la Francophonie Privileges and Immunities Order and the Vienna convention, the Government of Canada accords diplomatic status to officials of la Francophonie.

Will the government acknowledge that, had its minister been present to welcome the secretary general, the regrettable conduct could have been avoided—

[Francophonie, May 16th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, in addition to embarrassing us internationally at the conference on the environment, the government is making the headlines around the world because of its unacceptable treatment of the secretary general of la Francophonie. Canada's behaviour has been criticized in Le Figaro, Le Monde and the magazine Jeune Afrique, among others.

How can the Government of Canada remain indifferent to a formal request for an apology from the government of Senegal?

[Business of Supply, May 11th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I reply to my colleague that obviously we must pursue efforts in all areas.

However, we note on the part of the Conservatives a glaring failure to act. In my opinion, the best way to pursue objectives is to begin immediately. What we are being presented with is really a wait-and-see approach. This is a situation in which we will never be able to make the decision required.

Whatever reduction we achieve with the proposals currently on the table will still be a step in the right direction as far as the future is concerned.