David Collenette

[Housing, November 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I could be criticized for many things but the kinds of things the hon. member asks of me I can tell her I have in great quantity. I could tell her that we have no hesitation in defending what we have done for the homeless and for housing in this country.

I do not know where she was when we announced $753 million for the homeless and $680 million for housing. Has she read the throne speech that recommits us to affordable housing in key markets across the country? She has not done her homework. She does not know the facts. She should congratulate the government for the great job that we have done.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, November 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, this is typical of how the Alliance does business. They want to talk about allegations about statements made with respect to the President of the United States by someone in the Canadian delegation.

They do not want to focus on the achievements of the summit at Prague. They do not want to talk about all those new nations, those former communist nations that have joined the alliance. They do not want to talk about the unanimous support of the UN resolution with respect to Iraq. They do not want to talk about the establishment of a NATO response force.

These people do not want to talk about the real issues that Canadian people are concerned about.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, November 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I understand that there is some degree of confusion about what allegedly was said.

I would invite the hon. members to turn their attention to a statement that has been issued by Ms. Ducros, the director of communications for the Prime Minister, wherein she says:

The comments attributed to me in no way reflect my personal view of the President of the United States. I have never, in any of the many briefings I have given reporters as the Prime Minister's chief spokesperson, ever expressed, on the record or off the record, any negative opinion concerning President George Bush.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, November 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister addressed this allegation yesterday in Prague. Specifically, he reiterated his support and friendship for President Bush and supported the United States in the difficult situation we now find ourselves in with respect to Iraq.

[National Defence, November 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian military is highly regarded around the world in spite of the negative criticisms of the official opposition in this place, who should know better. If the Canadian military was not as good, as the opposition alleges, why is it that our allies in the United States have come and requested certain things for us to contribute to the particular forum that is going to unfold in the next few weeks? They do so because they know we have the capabilities, they know we have the personnel and they know we have the will.

[National Defence, November 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, my friend displays a profound ignorance of the capabilities of the Canadian military. The fact is that the Canadian military has outstanding resources and outstanding personnel who have been deployed in a number of conflicts around the world.

We realize there is a funding issue and that has been addressed by the Minister of National Defence and it was addressed by the Prime Minister in Prague yesterday, where he said unequivocally there will be more spending for the Canadian military.

I can say from my experience of three years as minister of defence that the Canadian armed forces were highly regarded in NATO.

[Kyoto Protocol, November 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as I said a few moments ago, I will not comment on anonymous sources in the newspaper.

The fact of the matter is we have a very healthy relationship with the United States. The fact is that there is respect and when we have differences, we have differences. Unlike the government of which the right hon. member was part of, we are not toadies to the Americans and they respect us for our independence.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, November 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, why do members of the Alliance always take the negative approach with respect to Canada-U.S. relations?

The fact is that it is a healthy relationship. From time to time there are disagreements but the personal relationship between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister is an extremely good one.

Alliance members often criticize Canada, not just here, but they go down to Fox TV and take shots at Canada and Canadian policy. That is unacceptable.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, November 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, fortunately for Canadians and Americans, what is most important here is the personal relationship between the Prime Minister and the president, and that is an excellent relationship.

We will not comment on anonymous sources in the newspaper. We will comment on fact, and the fact is that the Prime Minister and the president enjoy an excellent relationship. In fact let me say that Canadians should understand that Americans, all Americans, understand that they have, and I quote, “no better friend, no better neighbour, and no better partner in the world than Canada”. Who said that? Colin Powell, the secretary--

[Health, November 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, with great respect to the hon. member, we cannot do by the back door what we cannot do by the front door.

This matter will be litigated and any statement that is said, even here using parliamentary privilege, could affect this case.

I would ask the hon. member to perhaps pursue another line of questioning. The fact is that this matter is now sub judice and has to be dealt with in a very careful manner.