Lawrence Cannon

[Sri Lanka, February 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we had the opportunity, as parliamentarians, to debate this issue last week. As a government, we were able to indicate what actions the Government of Canada has taken. The Government of Canada has called for an immediate ceasefire. My colleague, the Minister of International Cooperation, has put forward amounts of money that will help the people who are caught up in this humanitarian turmoil.

We are continuing to monitor the situation. It is of grave concern to us and we are following the file.

[Foreign Affairs, February 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I do not share my hon. colleague's opinion on that. I think that what is in the interests of Canada is that we let the American government pursue the process that President Obama has commenced and when that process is over with, we will be able to see what the outcome is.

[Foreign Affairs, February 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I repeat the position of the Government of Canada: the individual in question, Mr. Khadr, has been accused of very serious crimes, including murder, terrorism and so forth.

We also know that the United States government has effectively decided, through a directive from the president, to close the Guantanamo military base but, at the same time, to review the files. We are therefore going to allow the legal process to run its course.

[Foreign Affairs, February 9th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I have often repeated the government’s position on this in the House.

I would tell my hon. colleague that my associates in the department have been in regular contact with both Mr. Khadr's defence representatives and the prosecutors in this case. We are continuing to hold these discussions and to make ourselves available.

[International Hydrographic Organization, February 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, a treaty entitled “Protocol of Amendments to the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization”. An explanatory memorandum is included in the treaty.

[Canada-Russia Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement, February 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, still with leave of the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I would like to table, in both official languages, a treaty entitled “Exchange of Notes between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Russian Federation constituting an Additional Agreement to the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy”, done on November 20, 1989. An explanatory memorandum is also included with this treaty.

[Canada-United States Agreement on the General Agreement on Trade in Services, February 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, with leave of the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I would like to table, in both official languages, a treaty entitled “Joint Letter from the United States of America and Canada, pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Procedures for the implementation of Article XXI of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)” relating to the modifications proposed to the GATS Schedule (GATS/SC/90) of the United States of America to withdraw its commitment on gambling and betting services. An explanatory memorandum is included with the treaty.

[Certain Conventional Weapons Convention, February 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, a treaty entitled “Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects, Protocol V”. An explanatory memorandum is included in the treaty.

[Canada-Brazil Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation, February 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, with leave of the House, and pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) , I would like to table, in both official languages, the Framework Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil for Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation. An explanatory memorandum is included with the treaty.

[Canada-Poland Social Security Agreement, February 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the pleasure to table, in both official languages, an agreement on social security between Canada and the Republic of Poland. An explanatory memorandum is included with the treaty.