John Baird

[Foreign Affairs, October 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, Treasury Board guidelines offer three criteria for moving quickly: national security and the issue of urgency, health and safety, and ministerial approval. Obviously, everyone can imagine that the government is tremendously concerned about the safety of our diplomats abroad. We have seen many actions in recent months with some of our key allies where security has been at risk and even where death has happened. We have seen that in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Canada has already lost one diplomat. The department moved expeditiously to make some changes to ensure that our diplomats would be safe. I have already offered to the critic of the official opposition and the critic of the third party a full briefing to explain this decision.

[National Defence, October 23rd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Foreign Affairs for the last 18 months and in all my time in public office, I have never been known as one to be shy or retired, and I have always communicated the government's pleasure or displeasure in no uncertain terms, and I will continue to do that.

[Foreign Affairs, October 19th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, Rwanda was acclaimed. No one was running against it.

[Foreign Affairs, October 19th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we are very pleased that the member for Etobicoke Centre himself will be one of the election observers, as will my friend from Parkdale—High Park. They will do Canada proud.

[Foreign Affairs, October 19th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the member for Etobicoke Centre who has been a key advocate for the Government of Canada in playing a strong role in the upcoming elections. He and the Ukrainian community have worked hard to pressure Canada to provide some 500 election observers to monitor this vote. Our observer mission will be joined by other freedom-loving nations to ensure that the vote is fair and transparent and that these elections are conducted appropriately and fairly.

I am very pleased—

[Foreign Affairs, October 19th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is a rich country. We can afford to do our part to provide support for this humanitarian tragedy that is unfolding, not just in Turkey but also in Jordan, Lebanon and other parts of the region. I think we are the world's fifth or sixth largest contributor to humanitarian aid.

As this crisis goes on, Canada is prepared to step up to the plate and do even more to provide for humanitarian assistance. We are tremendously concerned about the cold winter coming and the huge humanitarian catastrophe that could unfold and we will be there to provide more assistance as needed.

[Foreign Affairs, October 19th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify. We have provided substantial assistance. I believe we are number five in providing humanitarian assistance. We have put a lot of those resources into the United Nations World Food Programme and the United Nations refugees program, where the UN is on the ground providing a substantial amount of assistance.

These respected agencies do good work. They are among the best vehicles so we can provide support to our friends in Turkey as they deal with this refugee crisis.

[Foreign Affairs, October 19th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, for my friend opposite, people are entitled to be innocent until proven guilty.

Let me tell the member opposite that I know the member for Etobicoke Centre and he is a man of great integrity. He is a man who works tremendously hard for his constituents.

We are tremendously proud that he will join members such as in her own caucus, the member for Parkdale—High Park, in observing elections in Ukraine. That is great for Canada and we should all be very proud that such distinguished Canadians are prepared to do that.

[The Environment, October 19th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it was this government that presented a budget this past March where we envisaged change on page 282 to Transport Canada regulations with respect to shipping.

We worked with municipal leaders from coast to coast to coast who came forward with a useful suggestion. What municipal leaders said was that we could make government more sensible and efficient while also protecting our waterways and natural environment.

That is exactly what the government is doing. When we want to cut red tape and ensure that navigable waters and shipping are protected, why is the Liberal Party of Canada always standing up against measures to create more jobs, more hope and more opportunity?

[The Environment, October 19th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it was our government that proposed the changes. We worked with the municipalities in every region of Canada. We got the opinions of the municipalities regarding Canada's infrastructure. That is why we proposed the changes in the budget. We are keeping our promises in this bill.

Our goal is to protect water transport on our rivers and lakes across Canada and to encourage economic growth. That is our goal. We have already created 800,000 new jobs, which is good for all Canadians.