Bob Rae

[Government Policies, May 5th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, another question about the STFU strategy of the government. Given the treatment of the individuals that we have named today, given the treatment of the groups that have come forward to say that they have been silenced, how can Canadians draw any other conclusion other than a very simple one, if they toe the line, they will be funded? If they criticize the government, they will be cut off at the throat.

How can any other conclusion be drawn from the behaviour of the government?

[Maternal and Child Health, May 4th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the pattern is clear. The Conservative position is clear. There is a culture whereby if you do not agree with the government, you are done. “Do not talk, keep quiet.” That is the government's position. We have the examples of KAIROS, MATCH International and more.

The question again: why is democracy problematic for the Conservative government?

[Maternal and Child Health, May 4th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, this is not about the senator's language, it is about what she is describing—a culture of intimidation. We have spoken about the Conservative's culture of deceit; today, we are dealing with a culture of intimidation.

Why this freeze on discussions with groups throughout the country? Why this hostility towards democracy in Canada. That is my question for the government.

[Maternal and Child Health, May 4th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I am going to have to try to find the words to ask this question.

Yesterday, Senator Ruth gave perhaps the pithiest, sharpest description one can imagine of Conservative political policy that we have all heard in a long time. Her advice to groups that are criticizing the government or that have an issue with the government or might want to raise the issue was, and I am not going to quote entirely, quite simply, shut the F up.

This is what the current government has come to. This is the culture of intimidation that has now been established by the Conservative Party. If someone has a disagreement with the government, just shut the F up.

[International Co-operation, May 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the minister of international development.

The minister will be aware that a decision by her department to cut all funding for MATCH International, a budget of over $400,000 a year, is yet another sign of the ideological direction of the government, cutting an advocacy organization for women, forcing it to lay off staff, forcing it to stop its work, forcing it to stop fighting for women's equality around the world.

Just what kind of a grudge does the government have for the women's organizations around the country that are working so hard for women?

[Foreign Aid, April 29th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the minister can help us. The problem is that all of our troops are now concentrated mainly in Kandahar because they played an important role in that region for a long time.

Can the minister assure us that, after March 30, 2011, Canada's civilian presence will remain not only in Kabul but also in the Kandahar region? That is an important issue.

[Foreign Aid, April 29th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Foreign Affairs in his role as the chairman of the Afghanistan committee of cabinet.

I and, I am sure, a number of other members have been receiving reports from Kandahar of deep concern from a number of NGOs about the fact that they are now receiving some notification that decisions have been made in Canada that there will be no funding for CIDA projects in Kandahar after March 30, 2011.

I wonder if the minister, in his role as chairman, could give us his categorical assurance today that no such decision has been made and that Canada plans to continue to fund civilian projects--

[International Co-operation, April 27th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, this is another example of the Conservative culture of deceit. As we speak, a pregnant woman, Sayon Camara Sow, is being deported by the Conservative government after four years in Canada.

I have a question for the government. Where is the focus on maternal health in such a decision?

[International Co-operation, April 27th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I am trying to understand the government's position a little more clearly.

The House will know that 15 and 16-year-old women in Congo have been raped in the thousands and that rape is a tool of abuse and brutality that is a matter of fact in many parts of the world, including Africa, which this government has abandoned.

Could the minister tell us if it is the policy of the Government of Canada that those young women will not have access to abortions after they have been raped? Is that now the position of the Government of Canada?

[Ethics, April 22nd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, not only is it the responsibility of commissioners, commissioners and more commissioners, but it is also the responsibility of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is responsible for the conduct of his ministers and his parliamentary secretaries. It is a responsibility that cannot be denied. He cannot deny his personal responsibility in the Conservative culture of deceit that envelops the Government of Canada at this time.

Will the Prime Minister take responsibility for the problem he has created in his government?