Helena Guergis

[Afghanistan, April 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know how many times we need to stand in the House to explain to the previous Liberal government that its inaction with respect to developing a policy on the transfer of detainees is unacceptable.

What also is extremely unacceptable is the fact that far too often the opposition is so ready to take the word of Taliban detainees over our brave Canadian men and women. Canadians are finding themselves offended at this.

[Sport Canada, April 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind the hon. member that this was not a government decision. I want him to know that, through our Sport Canada funding, we have an education program called Speak Out. It provides all participants, coaches, players, officials and parents with valuable information about harassment and abuse.

[Sport Canada, April 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the senior men's hockey team selection is the responsibility of Hockey Canada. It is not a decision made by the Government of Canada.

[Afghanistan, April 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, again we have general allegations. We have yet to receive any specific allegations.

We have arrangements with the government of Afghanistan and with the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. We believe that these arrangements are working well.

If the government of Afghanistan requests our assistance, we will be pleased to give it to them.

[Afghanistan, April 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. The NATO commander has said that he sees no evidence to back up any of the allegations. There have been general allegations for years, of which the previous Liberal government is aware, and it has taken the Conservative government to not only implement the policy but work to enhance it.

We have a relationship and an agreement with the Afghanistan government and with the Human Rights Commission and we will continue to work very closely with them.

[Afghanistan, April 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the real question is why the previous Liberal government, since 2002, chose to ignore reports on Afghanistan. I remind the hon. member that he was a cabinet minister. There were five Afghanistan reports, four of them received by the previous Liberal government, and the Liberals chose to do nothing until the month before Canadians fired them.

We implemented the policy they put in place. We have enhanced the policy. We will continue to do so.

[Afghanistan, April 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting. I note that the hon. member has herself decided to take the word of Taliban detainees as the gospel truth.

Our members of the military on the ground are doing an exceptional job. They take their work very seriously. They are conforming with international law.

[Afghanistan, April 30th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, our members of the military on the ground take their job very seriously. They will continue to do the good work they are doing and that includes conforming with international law. We believe that things are working very well on the ground.

[Passport Canada, April 27th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I remind the hon. member that the Liberals can run from their past, but they cannot hide. It is a fact.

Canadians are having problems with passports and it stems back to the previous Liberal government's inability to deal with the issue then. In fact, it was the Conservatives in opposition who called an emergency debate to get the Liberals to get their act together and to discuss this with the United States, and they failed to do so.

That being said, we have taken this responsibility very seriously. Not only do we have people working 24/7, we are receiving applications—

[Trade, April 27th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the great concern of the member for Selkirk—Interlake on the issue of bulk water.

Our new government is not participating in or financing this meeting in any way. On the issue of bulk water exports, we have said many times very clearly that our government has no intention of entering into negotiations, behind closed doors or otherwise, regarding the issue of bulk water exports.

Canada's new government is committed to protecting water in its natural state and to preserving the integrity of ecosystems and we will continue to do so.

I would really appreciate it--