Denis Paradis

[Francophonie Summit, October 8th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let me first remind hon. members that Canada ranks second among partners in La Francophonie worldwide. One of the themes of the summit in Beirut will be “Dialogue of Cultures”, a very important theme, especially one year after the events of September 11. Another theme will be youth, to follow up on the Moncton Summit. We will also talk about democracy, good governance and human rights.

We will also have the opportunity to discuss the new partnership for the development of Africa. The Prime Minister will have a chance to raise the awareness of our G-8 partners. The summit will provide a golden opportunity to reiterate our pride in being francophones.

[Peru, June 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the safety of Canadians abroad is a priority for Canada.

According to our information, there were some 33 Canadians in this troubled region. They were able to make it out of the region with the help of Canada. I myself spoke to students of the Montmagny Cegep and their parents. They are now safe.

In conclusion, I would like to thank and congratulate the staff of our embassy in Lima, as well as our ambassador, Hugues Rousseau.

[Liberia, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is working with its G-8 partners to combat the wrongful use of timber resources.

Canada supports including wood in the UN sanctions against Liberia. Wood must not become a means of financing war.

Unfortunately, there has been no consensus at this time on this issue at the United Nations Security Council, but Canada will continue to push to support the inclusion of timber in the sanction regime, just like we did with diamonds.

[Africa, May 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we are extremely proud to be Canadians when we see what the Prime Minister and Canada have done to include Africa as a priority issue during the G-8 summit.

I personally began a Canada-wide awareness tour, along with a number of MPs. We visit schools and we meet special interest groups and members of the local and regional newspapers.

When 53 of Africa's poorest countries agree on a partnership plan to develop that continent, and when eight of the world's richest countries are getting ready to provide a response, I think we are about to witness a historic moment.

[South Africa, May 2nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, when we travelled to South Africa, we knew that the HIV-AIDS issue was a major concern for all Africans.

In fact, this issue was the subject of a number of debates and, at the Prime Minister's initiative, we toured, among other things, awareness projects.

The good news is that a few days after our return to Canada, we learned that the government of President Mbeki had substantially changed its position by adopting a much more proactive approach in the fight against HIV-AIDS.

Canada is proud to have been able to contribute to this debate, and it is pleased by this change of attitude on the part of the South African government, since it will benefit millions of men, women—

[Official Languages, April 30th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, to begin with, I thank the Commissioner of Official Languages, Ms. Adam, for her recommendations.

First, I would like to point out that this concerns foreign embassies in Ottawa, which, as everyone knows, operate under their own rules.

We have already begun a campaign to raise awareness and I have asked the Deputy Minister, Gaétan Lavertu, to step up this campaign in the case of foreign embassies. I urge the embassies to do everything they can to ensure that their site reflects the bilingual nature of Canada.

[Supply, April 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, since we are talking about Quebec's investments with Ottawa, first I would like to remind my hon. colleague that last Monday we made a joint announcement with the Quebec premier in the riding of his colleague for Verchères--Les-Patriotes.

The Government of Canada is investing $6 million and the Government of Quebec is investing $6 million as well in what is called nanostructure, nanotechnology in microtechnology. Such cooperation is obvious in many sectors. It cannot be To say that Quebec is always investing alone and that the federal is absent is simply not true.

Going back to the GM issue we are concerned with, in my riding of Brome--Missisquoi, SaarGummi, a firm that gets a lot of sub-contracts from GM, is presently seeing an increase in the number of its employees. We absolutely must continue, as my colleagues said, in order to get as many jobs as possible, keep them and develop that sector. Well, we are there now.

I would like to hear the hon. member for Repentigny comment on that.

[Foreign Affairs, March 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I will inquire of the Department of Foreign Affairs and get back to the member on this in the next few days.

[Foreign Affairs, March 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I will take note of the questions and I would be happy to answer in the coming days.

[Sudan, March 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, we are encouraged by the recent agreement among the government of Sudan, the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, SPLA, and the United States on ending of attacks against civilian targets by both the government and the opposition forces.

The agreement has the potential to allow the safe and secure delivery of humanitarian assistance by the international community.

This agreement between the two parties could help bring about the conditions leading to a formal peace negotiation process. Let us all hope that it is the case.