John McCallum

[Iraq, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it seems that the Bloc Quebecois has forgotten about the participation of France. It has forgotten about France for a few days, although it is true that French ships are there with us. The Bloc has forgotten about France, while Americans are now calling French fries Freedom fries. What does the Bloc want? For Canada to be more French than France? That is not Canada's policy.

[Iraq, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, as a student of Canadian history, I feel justified in saying that I have nothing to learn from the Bloc Quebecois about Canadian history. Its version of Canadian history is not at all the same as mine. I have always answered its questions.

[Iraq, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, it is true that the research is still going on. Our historians are looking into this, and there is still no answer for the moment. As I have just told the Canadian Alliance, our soldiers are there in an exchange with the Americans. Such exchanges have been going on for decades. They are not in a direct combat role. The government is satisfied with this situation.

[Iraq, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, our position has been clear, if the Alliance members would listen. They speak of the importance of our alliance with the United States over many decades. That continues. These exchange relationships are part of that alliance with the United States, the U.K., Australia and other countries.

The government is satisfied by the fact that none of these people are in direct combat situations. None of them have been authorized to use force except in self-defence. We are very pleased to honour these longstanding exchange agreements with our allies.

[Iraq, March 31st, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I would think it is high time that people put down their partisan tools for just a moment and sent a clear and united message to all the troops that are today in the region of whatever the country and whatever their mission. The message is simple: We are behind them 100%. We thank them for putting their lives on the line. We wish very much that before too much time has gone by they will have completed their mission with honour and be home again with their families.

[Iraq, March 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the government must always take into consideration a number of risks and factors, such as the importance of participating with our allies, the lives and well-being of our troops, and the risk to our allies' troops if we were to pull out. These are all considerations.

The government took them all into account and is comfortable with the position taken with respect to exchange programs.

[Iraq, March 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I am inquiring about this matter involving events dating back some 30 years.

The hon. member should know that the United States remains Canada's greatest ally and friend. Exchanges are important to allow us to work alongside our American and British allies.

These are extremely important because Canada is never alone in military operations. It is therefore very important that we maintain our participation in such exchanges, and that is what we are doing.

[Iraq, March 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I have absolutely no doubt that should the situation become such that humanitarian ships will pass through the Persian Gulf to bring relief to the people of Iraq, then absolutely our ships will be there to protect them from any potential attack.

We are there to protect the maritime traffic of our allies. We are proud of our role in an environment, as the opposition has indicated, that becomes increasingly risky with every passing day. We are there for our allies, not least humanitarian aid.

[Iraq, March 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, I do not think it is practical to send a field hospital under the United Nations banner into a war zone.

However, as my colleague, the Minister for International Cooperation has explained, Canada is very much there for the post-war reconstruction phase in Iraq. As I have said several times in the House, we are making a very major contribution in Afghanistan in terms of the security operations. In addition, my colleague has already committed $250 million to that venture.

In terms of post-war activities in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the Government of Canada is very much there.

[Iraq, March 27th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member referred to the will of the House. Indeed, the will of the House has been expressed clearly in response to a motion, which states:

--consequently the government [of Canada] repatriate all soldiers and military material in the region that could be used in a war effort in the conflict in Iraq.

This motion was soundly defeated by the House one week ago by a ratio of four to one. Indeed, in terms of the exchange soldiers and the ships, the House has spoken very clear.