House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2015, with 38% of the vote.
International Co-operation June 7th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria contributes more than any other organization to reducing the number of new infections in developing countries. We are at a turning point right now, a point where we might finally be able to control these diseases. That is why the fund has asked donors to increase their efforts. The United States and Switzerland have already committed to increasing their contributions significantly. Will Canada follow suit?
Grandmothers Advocacy Network June 5th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour for me today to acknowledge the efforts and achievements of the Grandmothers Advocacy Network.
The Grandmothers Advocacy Network, or GRAN, is a pan-Canadian network of volunteer grandmother advocates working with a multi-partisan scope and a humanitarian intent. It acts as a voice for the grandmothers of sub-Saharan Africa who are caring for millions of AIDS-orphaned children.
Today we have 45 grandmothers here from all across Canada.
I would like to invite my colleagues to join us after oral question period to meet the grandmothers and congratulate them on their efforts.
I congratulate GRAN for working to ensure dignity for the present and hope for the future of grandmothers and vulnerable young people in Africa.
Foreign Affairs June 3rd, 2013
Mr. Speaker, on a completely different topic, 61 countries, including some of the biggest arms exporters in the world, are prepared to sign an arms trade treaty. Canada, however, is missing in action. This treaty will prevent the arms trade from fueling conflicts in areas such as Syria, Sudan and the DRC.
Why are the Conservatives not taking a firm stance against the illegal trade in arms by immediately signing this treaty?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns May 31st, 2013
With regard to the Partnership with Canadians program at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), for each year from 2006 to 2010: (a) how many proposals were received, broken down by year and type of call for proposal, if applicable; and (b) how many proposals were approved, broken down by (i) year, (ii) partner, (iii) CIDA priority theme or cross cutting theme, (iv) total dollar amount contributed by CIDA, (v) total dollar amount contributed by partner, (vi) description of project, (vii) recipient country, (viii) length of days of approval, (ix) length of project, (x) grant or contribution?
Questions Passed as Orders for Returns May 31st, 2013
With regard to the amalgamation of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) into the department of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs (DFAIT): (a) what is the timeline for the amalgamation; (b) which officials within CIDA, DFAIT and other government Ministries, including the Privy Council Office, will be in charge of the amalgamation; (c) what are the expected job losses among CIDA staff and in which divisions; (d) what changes will be made at the senior management level, including CIDA president; (e) will there be a deputy minister for development; (f) will employees be re-located; (g) will the respective unions be consulted; (h) will there be further cuts to funding for development programmes for the purposes of poverty reduction; (i) will CIDA’s countries of focus be changing; and (j) will the promised legislation ensure that Official Development Assistance will continue to be provided only if it (i) contributes to poverty reduction, (ii) takes into account the perspectives of the poor, (iii) is consistent with an international human rights perspective?
International Co-operation May 31st, 2013
Mr. Speaker, first the Conservatives posted partisan attacks on the CIDA website, and now they are neglecting the International Development Research Centre. It seems that 70% of the seats on the board of governors are now vacant and the board cannot even make quorum and do its work.
The IDRC is recognized internationally for its research on developing countries.
Will the minister agree to make non-partisan appointments that are necessary for the IDRC to carry out its mandate?
International Co-operation May 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, even the Privy Council Office and the Treasury Board were concerned about the involvement of the minister's office in the posting of partisan letters on the CIDA website.
Ministers are not to be using government resources for partisan purposes.
Why is the Minister of International Cooperation not taking his share of the blame? Why are there still no consequences when the rules are broken?
International Co-operation May 30th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, it is now clear that the Minister of International Cooperation's office knew about partisan material being posted on CIDA's website in clear violation of Treasury Board rules. When I first asked the minister about this, he refused to take responsibility. He just blamed CIDA staff. Why did the minister blame bureaucrats when, in truth, his office was involved in violating Treasury Board rules?
Questions on the Order Paper May 30th, 2013
With regard to the Canadian International Development Agency, what is the total amount of funding lapsed for the 2012-2013 fiscal year?
Canadian Museum of History Act May 28th, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I fully agree with what my colleague said about the fact that institutions like railway transportation and the Canadian Postal Museum are being gutted or greatly harmed. The government has dramatically slashed the budgets of programs that support archivists across Canada, even though these programs cost almost nothing. These are people who preserve our collective memory, whether in terms of transportation, postal services, work or other areas. The government is undermining institutions from the bottom up.
I am also in full agreement with my colleague in finding the arrogance and laughter of our colleagues on the other side of the House disturbing, to say the least.