Denis Paradis

[Student Employment, October 31st, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, the report on the 2001 edition of the summer work student exchange program, an initiative which began in my riding of Brome--Missisquoi, has just been delivered to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

This year over 1,000 young people from just about everywhere in Canada took part in this program, which often constitutes their first paying job along with an opportunity to learn a second language in an immersion setting and to learn about and appreciate the other culture while visiting another region of their country.

Thousands of young Canadians have taken part in the past six years. The program's success is in large part due to the involvement of over 100 MPs from all political parties, and I congratulate them.

I would also like to thank the program's president, Jocelyn Beaudoin, and director general, René Lemaire, and all the team for their excellent work.

Let us continue to work together to ensure that thousands more students are able to experience the marvellous challenge of the summer work student exchange program.

[Regional Products, October 24th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, in my riding of Brome—Missisquoi, an event is held that is dear to the hearts of all lovers of fine food. It is called “Le canard du lac Brome en fête”.

This is a country celebration of the gastronomic and scenic wonders of the Eastern Townships.

More than 40 restaurants, hotels and inns in the region take part in the celebration of Brome Lake duck, which has become a real institution in our region, as well as gaining international renown. Hon. members will recall the place of honour our Brome Lake duck held at a reception given by our Prime Minister during the last summit of the Americas.

My congratulations to Claude Trottier of la Ferme des canards du lac Brome, founded in 1912, the oldest duck farm in Canada, as well as one of the region's biggest employers.

We can be proud of the dynamism of our people and their invaluable contribution to the development of our rural regions.

[International Day of Older Persons, October 2nd, 2001]

Yesterday, October 1, we celebrated the International Day of Older Persons.

More than ever, our seniors have concerns about the economic and social situation.

In my riding of Brome--Missisquoi, they share their concerns with me about the Quebec health care system, and the improvements required to the Old Age Security Program. Many of them have trouble making ends meet, as the cost of living rises.

Ms. Barbara Woolmer, of Bedford, has been circulating in Brome--Missisquoi a petition calling upon the government to raise old age security benefits.

I congratulate this lady on her initiative. It is important to lend an ear to the demands of our seniors. They have made a great contribution to this country and deserve our respect and recognition.

[Terrorism, September 17th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, although the Canadian public understands the need for increased vigilance at our borders, these stepped-up safety measures are causing some delays for Canadian businesses.

Will the Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada explain to us the measures taken by the agency in response to these concerns, which are shared by the citizens of Brome--Missisquoi and by all Canadians?

[Questions On The Order Paper, June 12th, 2001]

We share the hon. member's concern over the tragedy of the civil war in Sudan and the terrible suffering this has brought upon the Sudanese people.

There is clearly a role for Canada to play in the search of a peace agreement among the warring parties. The government has in the past offered its good offices to the government of Sudan and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army, SPLA, and will continue to explore this possibility. However, the problem is less the absence of a neutral venue than the lack of a genuine willingness by either party to negotiate in good faith.

Canada has long supported the peace process sponsored by the intergovernmental authority on development, IGAD, and our efforts continue to focus on assistance to the IGAD process as a member of the IGAD partners' forum, IPF. Canada agrees with the IPF consensus that any new initiative to accelerate a negotiated settlement must not undermine IGAD and its principal achievement to date, namely the endorsement by both parties of the only currently viable basis for a negotiated settlement, the IGAD declaration of principles. It is important to emphasize that Canadian action is designed to complement work already underway.

In the press release on Canada's Sudan policy of May 23, 2001, it was announced that Senator Lois Wilson, Canada's special envoy for Sudan, will be travelling to the region. She is expected to meet with high ranking figures in the government of Sudan and the SPLA, and these discussions should provide us with a better sense of the opportunities that exist for engaging the two sides in this conflict.

Regarding the hon. member's query concerning the Special Economic Measures Act, SEMA, it should be pointed out that in general the international experience has been that unilateral sanctions are largely ineffective. Canada's own experience with sanctions has confirmed that multilateral measures are the most effective course of action. To amend the SEMA to allow for unilateral sanctions against Canadian companies abroad would undermine Canada's longstanding objection to extraterritorial measures by other countries.

The department continues to work with the private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders to look beyond sanctions at ways of shaping Canada's corporate presence abroad, including Sudan. On several occasions in the past few weeks we have organized large scale consultations with a range of interested parties to discuss ways of ensuring a positive international Canadian corporate presence. The Government of Canada values these exchanges of views and sees this as part of a permanent process of consultation.

We wish to assure hon. member that Canada remains engaged in the search for a durable negotiated peace settlement in Sudan and is pursuing options which provide the best chance for success.

[Economic Development, June 5th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, a number of mayors, municipal representatives and individuals responsible for Quebec's economic development are in Ottawa today to take part in a day with an international flavour.

In this era of globalization, it is becoming urgent to inform people and give them the necessary tools and support to meet the new challenges of this millennium.

Our local communities will be increasingly called upon to take their place on the international stage. That is why we have prepared various workshops for them on free trade, Contracts Canada, the infrastructures program, cultural and academic programs and, finally, agricultural export strategies.

I thank them for their interest and I point out that their presence is an obvious sign of the dynamism of our rural communities and the clear desire of elected representatives to find new ideas and avenues to help our regions grow.

In closing, I want to applaud the municipal representatives from my riding of Brome—Missisquoi and thank them for their support and their excellent co-operation.

[Foreign Affairs, June 4th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, that endless war has been dragging on for too long.

As indicated in the Mitchell report, it is important that the two sides go back to the negotiating table as soon as possible. It is important to end this endless war and to have everyone back at the negotiating table.

Canada will make every effort to help the two sides sit down and negotiate.

[Foreign Affairs, June 4th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to offer our condolences to the families of the victims this weekend.

On Saturday the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke with the foreign minister, Shimon Peres, to convey Canada's condolences. We also spoke with the Palestinian minister, Dr. Nabil Shaath, to express the concerns of the Canadian people that terrorism and violence must end.

We urge everyone to go back to the table and implement the Mitchell report.

[Foreign Affairs, June 4th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, on May 21, the Canadian government announced the signing of an international social security agreement with the Slovak Republic.

This agreement will make it easier for Canadians who have lived and worked in the Slovak Republic, and for Slovaks who live in Canada, to qualify for old age, disability and survivor benefits.

This agreement is an important step toward strengthening the relationship and areas of co-operation between our two countries.

It should also be noted that international agreements such as this one are increasingly important, as global economics and greater international co-operation create increased labour mobility and movement between countries.

To date, Canada has signed social security agreements with 44 countries.

[The Environment, May 30th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, Canada intends to ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The only question remaining at this time is when the ratification will take place.

Canada is going to ratify this convention on the law of the sea within the far broader context of the Canadian policy on offshore fishing. What we need is an effective regime that can be applied internationally on the high seas in order to protect the fish populations that straddle the 200 mile limit.

That is what we want and that is what we are going to get.