Denis Paradis

[The Francophonie, September 17th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to congratulate the new member for Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière on his great interest in Francophonie issues.

The purpose of the ministerial conference was to lay the groundwork for the World Summit on Information Society that will take place in Geneva in December.

Naturally, I took the opportunity to promote Canadian information technology initiatives and to demonstrate Canada's leadership in that field.

I also took the opportunity to announce that we will be helping young French-speaking Canadians and Africans participate in that summit.

[Foreign Affairs, June 3rd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, we discussed Nepad, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, based on democracy, human rights and good governance. We congratulated Nigerians as the country moves from one civilian government to another for the first time.

We also raised Canada's concern regarding human rights in Nigeria, especially the application of the Sharia law.

Finally, I must add that President Obasanjo, an important leader of Nepad, shares Canada's view that peace and good governance, including anti-corruption measures, are essential to fostering prosperity on the continent.

[La Francophonie, May 13th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, there are currently some 12 million citizens of French extraction in the United States, and more than 2 million of these speak French fluently. There are hundreds of French language organizations and groups across the United States. For example, the American Association of Teachers of French has a membership of more than 10,000.

Canada must be prepared to help its neighbours, especially those with whom it shares a border, by developing with them a dynamic dialogue on la Francophonie.

[Algeria, May 7th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Algeria is our primary trade partner in Africa and the Middle East. We discussed contracts and partnerships with Canadian businesses.

I also announced the participation of Algiers in the sustainable cities initiative. We talked about NEPAD, the new partnership for Africa's development, and congratulated the Algerians who, in turn, congratulated our Prime Minister and Canada on our role with regard to Africa.

We addressed the Francophonie, and we encouraged Algeria to become a full member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

[Democratic Republic of Congo, April 10th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government's contribution takes the form of political and financial support to the peace process, through the Inter-Congolese Dialogue agreement.

Our special envoy for that country, Marc Brault, is working closely with the United Nations, our international partners and the interested Congolese parties.

At the UN's request, Canada is participating on the International Guarantee Committee for the implementation of the Pretoria agreement, which is holding its first meeting today in Kinshasa. Together with our embassy in Kinshasa, we are focussing on the security of Canadian nationals in that region.

[Foreign Affairs, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is raising serious concerns with the Cuban authorities regarding the recent crackdown on several dissidents.

We believe that engagement is the real way to promote Canadian values and share our perspective on economic, social and political issues with Cuba. Canada has and will continue to have frank and honest discussions with Cuba regarding human rights concerns.

[Journée de la Francophonie, March 25th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, as part of the Journée internationale de la Francophonie, young Canadians were invited to enter a writing contest promoting the importance of French literary writing.

The winners of the contest, some thirty young Canadians, came here to Parliament to meet the Prime Minister and His Excellency Boutros Boutros-Ghali. His Excellency Boutros Boutros-Ghali also spoke to 500 young people in Farnham, in Brome—Missisquoi, to discuss the Francophonie and the world we live in.

It was a resounding success.

[International Day of La Francophonie, March 20th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by wishing a happy Francophonie day to all. Canada is a proud partner of la Francophonie. This pride is expressed more specifically, at the cultural level, through the active part we take in international network for cultural diversity of our colleague, the hon. Minister of Canadian Heritage.

It is also expressed, politically, through the promotion of values that Canadians hold dear, values of democracy, human rights and good governance contained in the Bamako declaration.

Finally, we pay tribute to our friend, His Excellency Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

[Latin America, February 26th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the President of Colombia, Mr. Uribe, is trying to make the revolutionary forces in Colombia see reason. The forces are currently holding 3,000 hostages in the jungle, including Ingrid Betancourt.

We support the efforts of the Organization of American States regarding peace in the region. We ask the international community, and more particularly the neighbouring countries, to give support and to provide solidarity so that violence will be alleviated in Colombia and in the whole region.

[Haiti, February 18th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is very concerned by the situation in Haiti. There are 8.5 million people living in extreme poverty and misery.

With regard to the Francophonie, we have the Bamako Declaration, and within the Organization of American States, we have the charter. These two instruments apply Canadian values, values of democracy, human rights and good governance, values that do not seem to be part of the Haitian vocabulary.

Canada is calling on the international community to support the Organization of American States, so that we may come to the help of the Haitian people.