House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 38% of the vote.
Foreign Affairs April 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, what part of the United Nations recognition is he talking about with respect to the WHO? He knows very well that the United Nations has a position on this. We respect the position of the United Nations and it is clear that the hon. member ought to look at that from time to time.
Foreign Affairs April 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, it will not be objections from the hon. member or his party that we will respond to. It is very clear that what the opposition is really saying is that they are rather upset that the Prime Minister met with the Dalai Lama because it was a very important thing for us as Canadians to do and the Prime Minister did it in a way that I think most Canadians recognized as important.
As for the question of Taiwan, it is very clear that the hon. member has a particular agenda. It is obvious that he is not aware of the international ramifications but perhaps it may be because he believes that this somehow will be an important election issue. We believe otherwise.
Foreign Affairs April 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I understand the hon. member is interested in trying to rephrase his question over and over again. There is no doubt that no one along that line has been refused into this country, certainly as an individual.
As for the question of a representative of a particular government, the government has a very strong statement about that. The hon. member is aware of that and we are prepared to stand by what we believe in.
Foreign Affairs April 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is very capable of delivering on hyperbole but this government has no intention of insulting anyone. It is clear to us that there are some very controversial issues to deal with and we will deal with them as a dignified and respected nation. However it is clear that the hon. member has more interest in trying to make headlines than in dealing with the facts.
We will govern accordingly.
St. Lawrence Seaway April 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I am familiar with this situation. The member for Brome—Missisquoi is constantly working on this matter. It is essential to remember that this situation needs to be dealt with in stages.
There are two levels of government in Vermont. We will take action when the time is right—at a particular time, when everything is in place—and we will evaluate the situation with regard to pure, clean water.
Patent Act April 29th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I want to salute the member for Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, as well as members on this side.
I know he is aware of the fact that, in 2000-01, it is this member who intervened with Oxfam and Doctors without Borders. He brought this issue to the attention of our caucus and the then prime minister, Jean Chrétien, after whom this bill is now named.
We had to ensure that something was done with regard to drug patents to relieve the burden of people living in Africa. Canada had to find not only the means to help regions such as South Africa, but also the delivery methods to help people in the field, that is doctors and the humanitarian infrastructure that is there now.
I was also pleased to see that, perhaps for the first time, the Bloc Quebecois is starting to change its rigid views on the drug patent issue. Indeed, the price of patents and drugs is increasing quite considerably, and this bill is very important for all the regions in our country.
Could I simply ask him whether he thinks that we can still send generic drugs to Africa, since previous court decisions on the drug patent system prevent these generic drugs from being produced in Canada?
It seems to me that this is only about one issue, that is, as was mentioned, the fact that pharmaceutical companies and the big innovative companies that form Rx&D are the only ones that are capable of making these products. Does the member not think that we could correct this flaw if we looked at the whole issue of drug patents?
Foreign Affairs April 28th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the hon. member is well aware that the Government of Canada takes Mr. Kieffer's disappearance very seriously. She is also aware that the government and even our embassy have been involved in tracing Mr. Kieffer right from the time he disappeared.
We know that the government still has other means of access to information on this matter, one which we take extremely seriously, as we did the case of our friend Fadi Fadel, who is here in Parliament today.
Official Languages Act April 22nd, 2004
Madam Speaker, I referred to the member for Compton—Stanstead merely because that member is involved, along with others. The member is aware, of course, that we are concerned with the future and the interests of everybody, not just the people in the region, but also those of the federal government.
The Government of Canada and Environment Canada have obtained certain technical documents and are in the process of analyzing their content. We also have other information we have to reconcile. We have been given information on the tendering process as well. This would make it possible for our department and others to form a common front, not just for the people living in that area, but also for the government, which would have the authority to go over the files and ensure that their contents are based on something both countries would find workable at the end of the day.
We need to have a water policy on which both sides can agree and on which we understand each other's obligations.
Official Languages Act April 22nd, 2004
Madam Speaker, we listened carefully to the member's speech. This is the second time he has asked about this and I know there are concerns. According to the member there is a problem; we know this because it has been raised many times by the Liberal members for Compton—Stanstead and Brome—Missisquoi.
The government is very much interested in this matter. Hon. members must understand that we are following the different steps in this situation; we must follow the necessary process.
There are two things. The situation at the Coventry landfill site remains a Vermont decision and the hon. member fully understands that. Indeed, his colleagues from Compton—Stanstead and Brome—Missisquoi have already been to Vermont with people from the area to meet with authorities from the State of Vermont and representatives from associations responsible for the process, such as Vermont Solid Waste Management Program. The State of Vermont process is known as the Act 250 Process.
I want to point out to the hon. member that if it were truly a question of assistance—he talked about financial assistance—first, I must indicate that those knowledgeable about the environment, experts who have things to say about the drinking water situation, can easily come to the assistance of the agencies. People are currently coming forward with their knowledge. We also know the position of the Government of Quebec.
However, it needs to be made clear—and the hon. member is well aware of this—that going before the International Joint Commission is a last resort. We must start at the beginning of the process, not at the end. We fully understand what is happening and what the representatives of Vermont think about expanding the landfill site. However it is important to realize that there are steps we must follow.
It should be obvious to anyone here that what the hon. member is asking for is not just that we go to the international joint commission, which, as we have told the member on many occasions, is actually at the end of the process, he is now asking for some money. What else will he be asking for?
The reality is that we stand four square behind the constituents who have a legitimate concern about potable drinkable water, about water that is not in any way damaged by the proposal made in Vermont.
This is not the first time, and it will not be the last, as the member aptly indicated. The minister stated on April 19 that:
Vermont officials have assured us that the comments made by Quebec will receive the same consideration as the ones made in Vermont.
This is true. but the minister also said:
—the...regional county municipality has been involved in the process and is considering asking for party status.
He went on to say that there were other steps. There is the Environmental Protection Agency and there is also the government of Vermont.
There are things we need to do. This matter will not be resolved today, and a decision has not yet been made. Although I understand the member's concern, we are still assessing the problem raised by the members for Compton—Stanstead and Brome—Missisquoi.
The Armenian People April 20th, 2004
Mr. Speaker, clearly, I must have the consent of my colleague who introduced the motion to pass the following amendment. I am going to read it in English.
I request unanimous consent to amend the motion by substituting it with the following: That this House remember the calamity afflicted on the Armenian people in 1915. This tragedy was committed with the intent to destroy a national group in which hundreds of thousands of Armenians were subject to atrocities, which included massive deportations and massacres. May the memory of this period contribute to healing wounds, as well as to reconciliation of our present day nations and communities, and remind us all of our collective duty to work together toward world peace.