Hélène Laverdière

[Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, May 7th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, in honour of Mother's Day, we would like to applaud the Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, a network that is comprised of 70 NGOs, educational institutions and professional associations that are working to improve the lives of women and children in developing countries.

There is an urgent need to speed up progress and place a high priority on reaching the most vulnerable women, newborns and children.

Last month the executive director of the United Nations Population Fund reminded us of the importance of universal access to quality reproductive and sexual health and rights for all. Canada should ensure that our maternal, newborn and child health policy respects these rights.

I thank the Canadian Network for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health for its excellent work.

Happy Mother's Day!

[Foreign Affairs, May 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, not only did Canada exempt a close friend of President Putin from Canadian sanctions, but it also has yet to suspend high-tech military exports to Russia, as our allies have done.

When will the Conservatives suspend exports of high-tech military equipment to Russia? When will they impose sanctions that are aligned with those of our allies?

[Petitions, May 1st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition signed by hundreds of citizens from across Quebec, including many originally from Venezuela. The petitioners are expressing their concerns about the situation in Venezuela and proposing various courses of action for the government to consider.

[Situation in the Republic of South Sudan, April 29th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my colleague for her touching speech. I know that this is a very sensitive issue for her because she worked as a volunteer doctor in crisis situations. We see that people with first-hand experience understand all too well the urgency of the situation. The reality is that these are real human beings who are dying or who have nothing.

Does she believe that Canada should also work with its partners to ensure the best access possible to aid workers on the ground?

[Situation in the Republic of South Sudan, April 29th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my colleague for her very informative speech.

In 2011, Canada took a strong stand on protecting women and girls from sexual violence in Libya.

Does my colleague know whether any of the programs supported by the Canadian government have a specific mandate to protect women and girls from sexual violence?

[Situation in the Republic of South Sudan, April 29th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my colleague for his speech; it was very informative, as all his speeches are.

This is what I took from his words:

We cannot afford to stand by.

The hon. member from Mount Royal is well aware that I share his views on the responsibility to protect, and that I fully agree that we have to show leadership in our support for peace negotiations.

In terms of those peace negotiations, does the hon. member consider it important, as we do, to make sure that members of civil society, specifically women, are included in any peace process?

In addition, does my hon. colleague believe that Canada should sign the arms trade treaty, which is a global initiative to prevent this kind of conflict?

[Situation in the Republic of South Sudan, April 29th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for her very emotional speech.

She mentioned the youth of the South Sudanese people and Canada's ability to exert diplomatic pressure.

With regard to the youth, especially children, according to UNICEF, 50,000 children under the age of five could die this year as a result of illness, malnutrition and unsafe conditions. UNICEF received only 50% of the funding requested, which it needs to save lives in South Sudan.

Canada has given money, but this situation is dragging on. We will have to continue assessing it.

Does my colleague believe that Canada should also show leadership by pushing other countries to help resolve this situation?

[Situation in the Republic of South Sudan, April 29th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his very interesting and informative speech.

First, I think we all agree that in the relatively short term we need to work on the real emergency we are facing here, but also we need to work in the longer term both on the peace process and for development in the longer term.

My colleague mentioned the issue of weak institutions. I wonder what he thinks Canada could do to help build stronger institutions in South Sudan, working in particular with the diaspora here in Canada, which often has a lot of expertise and knowledge on the ground that it can bring to bear, and what more Canada could do to support the peace process.

[Situation in the Republic of South Sudan, April 29th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, first, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for her speech and for the collegial work that we have been able to do together on such an important issue.

The root causes of this situation include poverty, marginalization, a lack of opportunity—and, often, a lack of future—and ethnic tensions. How can Canada structure its international development policy in order to try to deal with these problems before they occur?

[Situation in the Republic of South Sudan, April 29th, 2014]

Mr. Chair, I think that would mean choosing the side of abandonment. I would like to add that, in my personal opinion, it would meaning choosing the side of shame.

It has been said time and time again—I am feeling emotional—that we would never allow another situation like Rwanda to occur. We cannot let this happen in South Sudan. I apologize for bringing up another country that is being talked about a lot right now, but we cannot let this happen in the Central African Republic either.

We must be courageous and support UNMISS, the UN Mission in South Sudan. Even if the African Union has to make the effort and initiate the peace talks, that does not mean that we cannot provide resources. Material and technical resources are often needed. Money is needed to organize meetings and seek out the expertise required.

Traditionally, Canada has provided great expertise on how to bring people to the negotiation table, conduct negotiations and ensure that women are involved in the peace process. Women are key players in any peace process. A peace process cannot truly succeed without the participation of women. Canada can contribute its expertise, its voice and its resources. We can really get involved. I think that it is our duty and moral obligation to do so.