Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs for sharing his time with me.
I am proud to speak to the Speech from the Throne, not only as the member for Durham but as the Minister for International Cooperation.
My constituents in Durham know that our government is delivering a better Canada for them and their families. They want the government to continue to govern. They want broad based tax relief for their families and businesses, a real plan for further carbon emission reductions and they want a justice system that will fight crime and make our communities safer.
I know they recognize that they enjoy many qualities of life that others around the world do not. They want a government that will do its part as a member of the global community and bring peace, freedom and the values we cherish to all peoples.
I am privileged to be part of a government that will fulfill its duties, not only here in Canada but around the world. We have a duty to our international reputation, to our partners on the global front to fight poverty, hunger and human injustices. That is why we are supporting the international effort in Afghanistan.
Canada chose to be in Afghanistan because it was the right thing to do, not just the easiest thing to do. We are in Afghanistan because we have an obligation to the international community working in Afghanistan, the development workers and the members of the military who have sacrificed so much to this noble cause.
Having just returned from my first visit to Afghanistan, I can say that I saw a determined, noble and resilient people, a people who can see a difference in their lives after decades of conflict and chaos. I saw how they were rebuilding their infrastructure, preserving their culture and pursuing their livelihoods, whether it was a small vegetable stall, producing hand-made goods for sale or working a small plot of land to grow vegetables or raise livestock.
I want to particularly point out that there were deeply embedded inequities facing Afghan women under the Taliban. They had no human rights, no protection under the law, no access to education and no rights to participate in a democratic process. Today, girls are being educated and women are generating incomes for their families, they voted in the democratic election and are active in their parliament.
With CIDA supported microfinancing programs, over 380,000 people have started their own businesses and more than two-thirds of them are women.
Today, over 80% of Afghans are receiving basic health care. The infant mortality rate has been reduced by 22% and children are now receiving polio vaccinations.
I saw real progress being made and that is why all Canadians should be proud of what is being accomplished in Afghanistan. I met with aid workers, the president and members of the Afghan government and in every case they expressed their gratitude to Canada. We are one of the top donors to the Afghan mission. In fact, Canada has committed to support the Afghan people with $1.2 billion by the year 2011.
The Afghan people are now taking hold of their own lives. We cannot let terrorism again take root in Afghanistan. Our goal, in fact the goal of the democratically elected government in Afghanistan, is to strengthen the country, its institutions, its economy and its own confidence in its future.
I ask all members of Parliament to support the Speech from the Throne and ensure that the progress made in Afghanistan can continue.
Canada is doing its part in other regions of the world and our development efforts are growing. In Budget 2007, our government committed to doubling its international assistance by 2011 from our 2002 level. In that commitment, at the recent G-8 summit our Prime Minister committed to doubling its aid in Africa.
During his trip to South America and the Caribbean, he also made a commitment to increase our focus on the Americas.
In addition, the Prime Minister increased Canada's commitment in Haiti to $555 million over five years.
Earlier this fall, I had an opportunity to see just how important Canadian aid is to the Haitian government and to the agencies working to improve roads, schools and clinics there.
In Jamaica, I saw how Canada's response to the needs of Jamaicans after hurricane Dean was so gratefully appreciated. I saw Canadians at work, bringing education, training and infrastructure improvement to that country as well.
Canada is committed to playing a bigger role in the Americas and to do so for the long term. The Prime Minister, on his trip to Latin America, made this clear. I am pleased that we will be advancing peace, security and development through a wide variety of instruments in this hemisphere. I can assure Canadians that the government will do so with greater focus and effectiveness. We will sustain our efforts so that they will have impact and make a difference in the lives of people in need.
With a government and a leader with a strong commitment, a clear moral purpose and compassion, Canada will fulfill its role in international aid and development.
As the throne speech and our actions show, the government is committed to restoring Canada's place in the word as one of the more generous and committed nations and to improving the global quality of life. As the Prime Minister said on Wednesday, we are all ordinary human beings who just want to live in peace, give their families hope and build a future in their communities. The vision outlined in the throne speech offers a new and confident vision of Canada's place among nations.
It is not only my responsibility as the member for the fine riding of Durham, but also my responsibility as the Minister of International Cooperation. I am very proud to be part of a government that has made its commitment to the international world, to those in need around the world and to do it in a way that will deliver value for the dollars that Canadians work hard to contribute to this global effort.
