House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 30% of the vote.
Foreign Affairs March 24th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, indeed Canada's position on Kashmir has not changed. Canada has not deviated from its approach that supports efforts by both India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir and other issues through the composite dialogue process.
We want to see the Kashmir issue resolved through peaceful means. I was able today to reiterate that to the High Commissioner of India to Canada.
Afghanistan March 24th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I do not know where my hon. colleague has been over the last couple of months, but Canada has played an extremely important role in Afghanistan. Yes, we have lost Canadians. We are all sorry about that. However, our Canadian troops as well as our Canadian civil workers are getting the job done.
He knows full well we have six priorities. He knows that, on a quarterly basis, we are reporting back to the House. In fact, we are viewed by a lot of countries in the world, including the United States, for doing one heck of a job in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan March 24th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that Canada was invited to attend that conference, to be held in The Hague next week, on March 31.
We are expecting the United States to unveil part of their revised strategy at that conference. Of course we intend to use the conference as an opportunity for Canada to confirm once again the position taken here in this House. We will also reiterate our priorities.
We will have to wait and see what happens as a result of the meeting, given its multi-regional dimension.
Foreign Affairs March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I am sure my hon. colleague, who has just come back from Syria, has been in a position to realize that Canadian diplomacy is alive and thriving. Our budgets are there. Our people, our ambassadors and our diplomats are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. Our policies are being carried out in the rightful and strong manner in terms of governance issues, in terms of freedom, in terms of the rule of law and in terms of human rights.
That is the position this government holds to and that is what we will continue to do.
Foreign Affairs March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I want to reassure my hon. colleague. I also want to congratulate him, because I saw that he was Canada's ambassador in Syria. He travelled to Damascus and reiterated Canada's policy on the Middle East, which is that we support two sovereign states living side by side in peace and harmony.
Department of Foreign Affairs March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I disagree completely with the premise of my colleague's question. On the contrary, we take action on a daily basis in line with this government's foreign policy, whether in the course of our work with NATO members and other countries in Afghanistan or in the course of our work in Africa.
The member needs to realize, beyond the notes written for her, what the Government of Canada is doing for Canadians.
Department of Foreign Affairs March 23rd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for her question.
In fact, under this government, not only have budgets been stable, but they have increased. We have an annual budget of approximately $2.1 billion, which allows us to continue to develop Canadian policies specifically targeting the development of human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles. We are achieving what we were elected to do.
Sri Lanka March 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, you will recall that we have been extremely active on this file. We have taken action. As a matter of fact, I have been in touch with India's foreign affairs minister as well as India's foreign affairs representatives. We have reviewed it.
My colleague, the minister responsible for international aid, also has been very active in terms of helping the needy and the civilians with a complement of humanitarian aid.
We have been very active and we are getting the job done.
Foreign Affairs February 25th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, once again, Canada is keeping its promises, keeping its word and adhering to its treaties. Unfortunately, the member seems to be having some trouble understanding that this individual has been accused of serious crimes. He has been charged with murder and terrorism. He is in American hands, and they will take appropriate action in accordance with the review ordered by the President of the United States.
Foreign Affairs February 25th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I refuse to agree to the request submitted by the Bloc Québécois and the other two parties for the simple reason that the individual concerned has been formally accused of serious crimes. I have already said so several times here in the House. The Americans have begun the process, which we will respect, and once the process is done, we will act accordingly.