John Manley

[Iraq, February 14th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, could we perhaps have an hour to read the report?

What is it that compels the Canadian Alliance to demand that we insist on going to war within minutes of the inspectors beginning to present their report?

Resolution 1441 provided for an intrusive system of inspection. That is what Canada sought. That is what we have asked for.

The report needs to be considered in all of its respects before the world decides that the use of force, other than in self-defence, is justified.

[Iraq, February 14th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we urged the Security Council to adopt resolution 1441. It is important that the Security Council have the opportunity to consider the information from the inspectors in order to determine what consequences should flow. Surely that is not too much to ask.

I know that those members have been eager to pull the trigger, but let us at least wait until we have a chance to review the report of Mr. Blix today.

[Iraq, February 14th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, there is not a clash of civilizations; there is a clash of views.

On that side, the Canadian Alliance is prepared to salute to the United States no matter what it thinks. There has been no time to consider the report and no time to let the world community respond to it.

We believe that the onus in this case lies with the United Nations. The Security Council must consider the information that is being presented to it.

[Iraq, February 14th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am not quite sure what aspersions the Leader of the Opposition was casting in his reference to clashes of civilizations. Perhaps he might learn a little about civilization before he poses his next question.

In any event, I think it is appropriate we take--

[Iraq, February 14th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have been told the Leader of the Opposition is a quick study, but not making his mind up while the report is still being delivered is an amazingly quick study. I think even he would concede that it would be worthwhile for us to carefully review the report that Mr. Blix and his committee is presently presenting in the Security Council of the United Nations before determining the position that the world community should take.

[Iraq, February 14th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, unlike the Leader of the Opposition, we prefer to know what the facts are before we state our position. We will look carefully at the Blix report. We expect that over the coming days the report delivered by Mr. Blix will be the subject of very careful consideration by nations around the world.

The Prime Minister made clear last evening Canada's position. We stand on that position.

[Taxation, February 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member acknowledges, this is a matter that has been dealt with by the courts in a way that reflects the fact that there may be circumstances that sometimes would result in the courts deeming that an expenditure of this nature is properly deductible. That is something that the courts have decided.

We will be looking at other issues related to the Income Tax Act. When I table the budget on February 18 the hon. member will be enlightened concerning them.

[Health, February 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the hon. member is aware of the arrangements for territorial financing which see the territorial governments receive per capita transfers significantly higher than those that are received by the provinces.

In fact, with the increase in the transfers to the provinces, for every $1 in increase per capita to the provinces, the territorial impact is $3.60 per capita in Nunavut, $2.88 in the Northwest Territories and $2.60 in the Yukon. The territorial financing formula does take into account those additional costs.

[Iraq, February 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the only principle that the New Democrats seem to follow in this is that they do not like the United States.

I think it is important to look at the very words of the inspectors, Mr. Blix and his group, with respect to their visit to Iraq. It is important to consider the evidence, not just the recent evidence but the evidence of behaviour over a long period of time with respect to the conduct of the dictator in Iraq.

Canadians do not want war. The world does not want war, but the absence of conflict is not necessarily peace. The responsibility on the government in Iraq to respond to the UN--

[Iraq, February 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it is always enlightening to be in the House where one party across the way thinks that we should agree with the United States even if the United States is wrong, and another party thinks we should disagree with the United States even if the United States is right.

We have expressed a very plain and principled position in this matter which is based upon the crucial role of the United Nations. The UN has adopted a strong resolution in 1441. The inspectors have reported once, somewhat disagreeably, on Iraq, even the hon. member must agree. There is more work to do.