Bob Rae

[Health, September 14th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, in light of that answer, perhaps the Prime Minister could explain the astonishing silence of the Government of Canada when our system has been under consistent attack for several months by right-wing forces in the United States. In particular—

[Health, September 14th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Prime Minister.

In light of the extraordinary attacks on our health care system by the people who apparently have given the Prime Minister such spiritual inspiration over the years, I would ask the Prime Minister if he is proud of our health care system?

[Foreign Affairs, June 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the way these cases are being handled poses some very serious questions about the positive obligations of the Canadian government.

I would like to ask the minister to turn his attention once again to the Abdelrazik case.

It is very clear from the information which has now been made public with respect to correspondence within the Government of Canada in 2006, that at that time, in 2006, it was a clear decision by the Government of Canada, in its discussions with the American government, that the Canadian government was ready to allow Mr. Abdelrazik to come back.

In light of the fact that it has now taken three years and a court case for that to happen, I would like to ask--

[Foreign Affairs, June 19th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we have a serious problem with the responses given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Monday and today. The government is picking and choosing among Canadian citizens. It will take action in certain cases, but in other cases, it will do nothing.

How can the government justify this discriminatory treatment of Canadians? Does the minister not realize that there is only one citizenship and one passport, and that the government has an obligation to all citizens?

[Public Transit, June 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the investment that is being undertaken right now is an opportunity to do three things.

It is an opportunity to fix public transit, which needs to be fixed in the city of Toronto. It is an opportunity to help a region of Canada that has been very hard hit, Thunder Bay and also all of Ontario and Quebec, with respect to an industrial strategy. Those three things go together. That can be done with one single move to join the province of Ontario and the city of Toronto in making this very significant investment for the people of Canada, for the people of Toronto and for the people of Thunder Bay. It is a win-win-win, and—

[Public Transit, June 18th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, June is a month of happy couplings. In that regard, I would like to ask the Minister of Transport a question about a very important announcement that is going to be made tomorrow in Thunder Bay.

The minister would have an opportunity to change “f” words and to learn new “f” words, like fix public transit and fairness for Toronto. I would like to ask the Minister of Transport, would he take the opportunity to announce federal participation in a vital public investment in the future of public transit?

[Iran, June 17th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, fortunately, we have diplomatic relations with Iran. As such, our embassy can tell us exactly what is going on in Iran right now, and what further measures Canada and our friends, the United States and the European Union, among others, can take.

Can the government tell us what it plans to do to help bring true democracy to Iran?

[Iran, June 17th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question of the government on the subject of Iran.

We recognize that over the last three days, there have been extraordinary developments taking place in Iran that have had a dramatic effect on the people in that country. Hundreds of people have now been arrested. Many people have been killed. Both President Obama and Prime Minister Brown have issued strong statements with respect to the situation in Iran.

I would like to ask the Prime Minister if he would perhaps like to take the opportunity to reflect on Canada's position with respect to this most important event taking place in the world today?

[Questions Passed as Orders for Returns, June 9th, 2009]

With regard to Passport Canada, since January 2008, by month and region: (a) how many part-time service agents have been hired; and (b) how many full-time service agents have been hired?

[Questions on the Order Paper, June 9th, 2009]

With respect to the Canadian foreign aid committed to the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka: (a) how is aid being delivered to the conflict zone, by which international channels and organizations; (b) where is the money going and toward which specific initiatives; (c) how are decisions about funding allocations made and based on what recommendations; and (d) what, if any, accountability measures are in place to assure that the funds are reaching identified recipients?