Lawrence Cannon

[Foreign Affairs, May 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, of course we abide by Canadian laws and fully respect them. I would remind members that the case of Ms. Morin is a complex family matter. Furthermore, we must respect Saudi laws as well as the Hague Convention, which deals with young children. In this context, we are providing all consular services possible in the circumstances.

[Foreign Affairs, May 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, in the preamble to his question, my colleague indicated that it is a very complex family matter. I did broach the subject with him as I did with the Saudi foreign affairs minister when I travelled to Saudi Arabia last October.

Like many other people, we are following this case very closely. As we have done in many cases, we will offer all possible consular services to this woman who is presently in Saudi Arabia.

[Securities, May 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I was just going to say that a study by Columbia University showed that Canada's fragmented securities regulator cost it nearly $10 billion a year in economic benefits and 65,000 jobs. We on this side of the House believe in job creation, in Canada's wealth and in the wealth—

[Securities, May 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I understand that my Bloc Québécois colleague is trying to paint a miserable picture of Quebec, but let me quote a study by Columbia University that showed that the system—

[Securities, May 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I believe that my Bloc Québécois colleague is ignoring the facts. I would like to share with him something we heard recently from Joey Davis, a victim of Earl Jones who speaks for the victims' group. He said that he had more confidence in the federal government and that he hoped Mr. Bachand and Premier Charest would work with and not against Ottawa on this issue.

[Securities, May 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that countless articles have explained that this type of organization would essentially provide better protection for Quebec investors, reduce useless expenditures and attract new investors and investment from abroad.

[Securities, May 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleague that Canada is the only major industrialized nation that does not have a national securities regulator.

As my colleague, the Minister of Finance, has said on a number of occasions, Quebec can choose whether or not it wants to participate. That is up to Quebeckers and their government. They will make that decision.

[Foreign Affairs, May 13th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I repeat, Canada plays an important role in the international community. We have deployed soldiers to Afghanistan, to essentially build peace in that country, and we have also deployed peacekeepers to several countries around the world.

I know that the Bloc Québécois has a hard time with that. I know the Bloc members are ashamed of all that, but I can assure them that the majority of parliamentarians support Canada.

[Foreign Affairs, May 13th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has an excellent reputation around the world. Canada plays a leadership role. I understand that my Bloc Québécois colleague has a short memory, but he need only take a look at the excellent work we have done with our partners in Haiti to help this country get back on its feet. These are people who tend to settle in Montreal. I am not sure how these Bloc opposition members do not know that.

[Transboundary Waters Protection Act, May 13th, 2010]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-26, An Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act and the International River Improvements Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)