Jean Chrétien

[Aids, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I just said that the government has made a considerable effort in this area and that we want to do more. But what will be discussed in Paris is not the funding that one department or another has but rather what comprehensive solutions all the interested countries in the world can adopt to solve this problem eventually.

I do not suppose that the Prime Minister of France will want to ask me whether 3 or 4 per cent of our budget was spent or not. He will want to know what we want to do about it. I will not go there to discuss his budget. I think that all together, we can map out a strategy to eliminate this scourge throughout the world.

[Parliamentary Employees Staff Relations Act, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is for the Board of Internal Economy to look into the matter. It is not strictly a government problem. It is also a House of Commons problem.

[Fight Against Aids, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, my answer to the first question also applies to the supplementary question.

[Fight Against Aids, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I take note of the question. When the Minister of Health is in the House, she will provide a detailed answer to the hon. member.

[Fight Against Aids, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the best way we can maintain our international reputation is to fulfil our mandate there. When I had the occasion in June to go to Sarajevo I was told that the best soldiers there are always the Canadians, that the UN always relies on Canadians in very difficult circumstances.

We are all very proud of them. The fact that they are participating will not reduce their reputation. On the contrary, they have kept their cool under extremely difficult circumstances over the weekend and they should all be congratulated. We want to tell them that we are very proud of them.

[Fight Against Aids, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, it is not useful for anybody to encourage any side there and whoever is doing that is not rendering a service to the situation.

We have been there for three years. We have soldiers there and other countries have soldiers there as well. I think the people who do not have soldiers there should be prudent because it is the lives of Canadian soldiers and others that are at stake. They should keep that in mind.

We are there and we think we play a very useful role in terms of maintaining peace and helping the citizens to survive. I hope the people with no soldiers there will remember that we are there.

[Fight Against Aids, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I had the occasion to say earlier that the Canadian role there is very useful. There will be a discussion this weekend in Budapest where the heads of state will be meeting. It will certainly be one of the items discussed.

The Canadian position has always been that we want to maintain our troops there as long as there is no lifting of the arms embargo. We are to review our commitment every six months. The commitment we made in September will be maintained until February and we will review our position in due course.

In the meantime, I will discuss this next week, especially with the French and the British who are in the same position as we are. We have decided to have a discussion before making the final decision. I will be in a position to report more next week.

[Fight Against Aids, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, this program, like all others, is now being discussed with all departments. We have a difficult budget problem. We inherited a $500 billion debt and the government's resources are necessarily limited. We are maintaining the program and we hope that research will advance in Canada and elsewhere in the world.

[Fight Against Aids, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member says that Canada is not doing its share. On the contrary, I think that Canada is doing its share and that we have invested considerable amounts in research to find a solution for this global scourge. I hope that the summit organized by France and chaired by Mr. Balladur can move things forward in all countries of the world. I will be able to tell them that Canada wants to do as much as other countries to address this difficult problem.

[Bosnia, November 28th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, Canadian troops and other UN troops are playing a very useful role. They have managed to protect the civilians there, giving them food and medication during the past many winters of conflict.

To withdraw them, the hon. member is quite right, might cause extremely difficult circumstances in Europe.

At the end of next week I will be in Europe. I am going to Budapest on Sunday where all the heads of state will be. It will be a good occasion to deal with the problem. Of course the position of Canada is the same as the French and the British. We are there but if there is a lifting of the arms embargo we will get out.

In the meantime, having troops there is very useful. I would like to praise the Canadian soldiers who are doing a fantastic job. I would like to tell them they have the support of the Canadian people.