Lawrence Cannon

[Haiti, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I participated two weeks ago, on March 31 more specifically, in the donors' conference in New York.

I can tell the members of the House that Canada was applauded long and loud by other countries because of the work we have done there, particularly the Canadian armed forces and our civilian component. I hope the hon. colleague was able to see that, not only when he went to Haiti but when he was able to look at all the information available. People are very happy with what Canada has done.

[Afghanistan, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we have made all the documentation that is legally capable to be made. We have given it to the committee. We have given it every opportunity to question witnesses.

These allegations that have been put forward have always been looked at in a very serious manner. They have been investigated. There is no substantive evidence to what the colleague has said.

We have been quite clear. We are doing what needs to be done in the name of transparency.

[Afghanistan, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, these allegations have been made previously. There is nothing new in all of these stories. Every opportunity, every time there have been serious allegations we have looked into it.

I will remind the colleagues in the House that we are the government that changed the regime. We are the government that made it a better regime. We corrected the skewed regime that was in place by the Liberals.

[Afghanistan, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, every time allegations were made, they were analyzed and investigated by Canadian army authorities.

We have put in place an improved system, better than the one the previous government had, that guarantees us access and allows us to verify any allegations that are made. And I want to remind the House that these are allegations.

[Afghanistan, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, that is completely false. When the government was able to look at allegations or when allegations were made, it took action. As members are aware, we have put in place a new system for transferring Taliban detainees to the Afghan authorities, who give us access at any time. In the event of a problem, we interrupt the transfer.

[Rights & Democracy, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague that it was not the government that awarded the contracts. If she wants that information, she will have to ask the board of directors, who, as I said, have had an opportunity to appear before the parliamentary committee. And they will appear again if they are called as witnesses.

[Rights & Democracy, April 14th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I would remind my hon. colleague that Rights & Democracy is an arm's-length organization run by its board of directors and that its staff are not part of the public service. The parliamentary committee is meeting as we speak, giving it the opportunity to ask the board of directors all the questions it likes. I invite my colleague to do so.

[Democratic reform, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, if it were only the Bloc, Quebec would have no seats in the House of Commons in Ottawa. That is clear.

But to all Quebeckers who are proud to be Canadian, I can say that we are protecting the number of seats. The Bloc Québécois will definitely not be the ones giving lessons on representing Quebec here in the House.

[Democratic reform, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, we remain committed to ensuring fair representation in the House of Commons for provinces that are growing more quickly and to guaranteeing the number of seats for the other provinces.

[Afghanistan, March 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, former Justice Iacobucci is a well-respected individual whom everybody in this House has no doubt about in terms of his competence. We have called upon him to undertake an independent, comprehensive and proper review. Let Justice Iacobucci do his job.