Helena Guergis

[Violence Against Women, November 25th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, ending violence against women is a priority for the government. We have worked very closely with the Sisters in Spirit program, which is a program that is funded by Status of Women Canada, and we have worked closely with the aboriginal community to identify violence against women issues.

In fact, the number of women who have now been identified is as a result of the good work of the Sisters in Spirit program. I note that in budget 2008 we announced the development of an action plan and it will include further work on violence against women, especially in the aboriginal communities.

[Trade and Investment, June 19th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the honour to table, on behalf of the Minister of International Trade, in both official languages, the report entitled “Canada's State of Trade, Trade and Investment Update--2008”.

[National Defence Act, June 17th, 2008]

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed.

[Canadian Olympic Committee, May 5th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. We do not agree with the decision. We would have preferred that the clothing be made in Canada. The decision on our Olympic athletes' clothing is made by Vanoc and by the COC. They are private, independent bodies.

It is important to remind the House that this was a decision made in 2004 when there was a Liberal government. The Liberal government did not complain. It did not do anything. Why? Because it is very clear that this is a decision that is made under business operations of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

[Olympic Games, May 5th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, that is an example of the ineffective presence of the Bloc in the House of Commons?

This was a decision made in 2004 by Vanoc, the Canadian Olympic Committee. We see that the Bloc members in this House were completely ineffective in that process. This is a decision into which the Canadian athletes have had some input. It was not a government decision.

[Sport, April 29th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague from Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont for his support for the sport community. I am delighted to be announcing a new federal sport policy, with $14.7 million annually. This is up from the mere $1 million provided by the previous Liberal government.

We are looking to the future. We are replacing the old program with a new approach that is a coordinated approach for the provinces and territories. Hosting international sporting events provides much valuable training and competition experience to our athletes and it contributes to our goal of becoming a leading sport nation.

[Foreign Affairs, March 31st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, again, I have assured the House that Mr. Khadr is being treated humanely. I will point out that many of the questions the member has raised are definitely arguments that would be heard in a courtroom.

[Foreign Affairs, March 31st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I have informed the House, on several occasions, that we have received assurances that Mr. Khadr is receiving consular services. His human rights are being met at this point. I can assure the member that we will continue to monitor this case.

It is important to remember that Omar Khadr is facing the very serious charge of murder.

[Omar Khadr, February 26th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member will know that Mr. Khadr has been in prison since 2002. Four of those years were under the previous Liberal government.

I have also assured the House on several occasions that Mr. Khadr is being treated humanely.

[Foreign Affairs, February 26th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, consular officials in Lomé, Ottawa, London and Africa have been working diligently to provide consular assistance to support Michelle Senayah and her family. Not only did consular officials ensure that the necessary medication was found in Togo, but they provided the much needed point of contact for all parties involved to get the medical evacuation, including trained physicians in Togo, medical facilities in the U.K., and the family.

Our thoughts are with this family at this very difficult time and we wish her a speedy recovery.