House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2000, with 71% of the vote.
Foreign Affairs February 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely wrong. We do apply the Geneva conventions to anybody we may capture, and we have done that. We would expect that would apply to any Canadians who may, and hopefully not, be captured. We expect people to abide by the Geneva conventions.
Foreign Affairs February 7th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, all our troops, on the ground, on the ocean or in the air, serving in the campaign against terrorism have clear rules of engagement and follow those clear rules of engagement, which follow Canadian law and international law.
The Canadian troops respect and abide by the Geneva conventions, and so does the United States.
Armed Forces February 6th, 2002
Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. We welcome the recommendations of the ombudsman in this regard. The health and welfare of our troops is of utmost importance to us.
In the last few years we have concentrated on improvements in quality of life, pay and benefits. We are putting particular focus this year on reform of the health care system. We want to ensure that those who suffer, whether it be from physical or mental illnesses, particularly in this case PTSD, get the kind of treatment that they need.
As quickly as we can get professionals in this field, we certainly will continue to hire them so they can provide the services that are needed for our troops.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2002
We do have a concern about the process, Mr. Speaker. We want to make sure that the United States continues to abide by international law in dealing with this matter. It assures us that it is, that it is in fact only detaining unlawful combatants and making a determination as to their status.
We are pursuing the matter with the United States because there are provisions for competent tribunals if there is any doubt as to the status of any of these detainees. There is a question, however, as to whether that is in question or not and that is the current point of discussion with the United States.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, obviously the member does not understand the Geneva conventions and the law of armed conflict or he would understand that in fact there are provisions both for prisoners of war and for unlawful combatants within their provisions.
What the United States is saying is that it is not interested in prisoners of war. It is only interested in the terrorists who are unlawful combatants and that is the basis on which it is detaining people.
Minister of National Defence February 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister fully understands on what basis our troops are going over there. That kind of authority is sought. I consult with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister any time a mission is contemplated and on the rules and the basis on which the mission will be conducted.
Minister of National Defence February 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the rules of engagement for the JTF2 were signed off on before they went into the theatre of operations in Afghanistan by the CDS, who consulted with me on them. By and large, they are mostly the same typical rules of engagement that we would use, but they are adapted to the specific situation.
The rules of engagement to which he have referred has to do with the PPCLI battle group that now has its rules of engagement as it is entering Afghanistan.
Minister of National Defence February 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, the United States, under its attempts to improve its homeland security, is looking at a change in its command structure. In doing that, it will have an effect on what we do here because we are part of the same continent. We want to make sure we know what it is doing. We want to make sure it will not have an adverse effect on Norad. We have been in consultations with the U.S. No commitments of any kind are being made until there is a whole government discussion on the matter.
Minister of National Defence February 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, it would be my responsibility to tell the Prime Minister, in case there is any deviation from government policy, if anything out of the ordinary happens with respect to any of these matters involving the JTF2.
The JTF2 is conducting itself completely within the terms of the rules of engagement, completely within Canadian law and completely within government policy.
The JTF2 was sent there to be part of the mission to flush out the terrorists and arrests are a normal part of that mission. The fact that they have taken prisoners should not come as a surprise to anybody.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, it has been the Canadian position that international law must be observed and Canadian law must be observed. Part of international law allows for prisoners who are taken to be transferred to another country, as they are in this case, as long as international law and the Geneva conventions are followed.
Right from the beginning, the United States has given us that assurance.