House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2011, with 31% of the vote.
International Aid November 20th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as we all know that CIDA received an increase in the budget of 2000. There was a commitment for an increase in aid levels for the next budget as well. The Prime Minister has been clear many times publicly as has the Minister of Finance. We will wait to see the budget.
International Aid November 7th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, in the next three days Canadian funds will enable UNICEF to immunize 45 million children in Afghanistan and Pakistan against deficiencies of vitamin A. This will save the lives of approximately 60,00 children in this area.
Canada is the lead country around the world in the provision of vitamin A; 1.5 billion capsules have been distributed up until now. It affects about 100 countries around the world. As I said, it will save about 60,000 lives this winter in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Poverty October 17th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, it is important to keep in mind that the announcement made by the UN was a worst case scenario which meant that the borders were open and there were millions more people getting out and going into the refugee area.
At the moment, for the majority, there has been no great movement from within leaving Afghanistan. The issue is to try to get food inside Afghanistan, and we are working on the logistics.
I have restrengthened the people on the ground within my organization and we are working with others. That will indicate the kind of decision we will have to make in the next couple of days.
International Co-operation October 17th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as I have said before in the House, Canada has been involved in Afghanistan for some time. We have provided $6 million to assist with the immediate emergency. We also have a special team on the ground to reinforce our ability to co-ordinate with logistics, because it is very important to ensure that we get food into Afghanistan prior to the onset of winter.
This work is very difficult and that is why I am in contact with Unicef and have just had discussions with the Red Cross and the UNHCR on this situation.
International Aid October 16th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the theme for World Food Day is “Fight Hunger to Reduce Poverty”. This is very important.
The problem is not only with food production. It is also a problem of insufficient income to buy food, of poor health in regard to producing and consuming food and not having an appropriate balance of vitamins, minerals and available food.
In fact UNICEF has recently recognized and congratulated the Prime Minister for Canada's example of global leadership in saving millions of lives of children around the world by providing vitamin A.
International Aid October 16th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, the government has in fact been very active. We have specialists on the ground at the border working to assist in getting food into Afghanistan.
The major crisis is in the country. There is a great deal of work being done with refugees in Pakistan, in Iran and around the area but getting through to the inside is where the major problem is. There is some food getting in now with private trucks and so on but it is still a major problem and that is where we are working.
International Aid October 15th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, as I said before, Canada was the first to respond to the first call.
Second, Canada has been there from the beginning. We have spent about $150 million over the last 10 years. We have also forgiven $447 million for Pakistan to convert its debt to social programs for the country but also to assist Pakistan with the crisis of refugees on the border.
In addition to that, I have just come back from a meeting with the head of the Red Cross in Geneva. We discussed extensively the problems within Afghanistan because the difficulty is getting food inside, not the money. He has assured me that we will be working together to get assistance to the people inside Afghanistan.
International Aid October 15th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I should point out to the hon. member that Canada has been working in Afghanistan for quite a long time. In fact over the last 10 years $150 million in assistance have been given to the Afghani people who already were being oppressed by the regime.
We just recently announced a $447 million conversion of debt to social programs for Pakistan, which was dealing with not only assisting the refugees within Pakistan but also its own situation. I am in contact with my officials on the ground, at the border and with other organizations and we will be increasing the amount.
International Aid October 15th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, Canada was the very first country to respond when the initial call came through and immediately announced $1 million. After discussions with people working on the ground, at the borders and the humanitarian specialists from my department, we increased the amount to $6 million. I had discussions with them again about three or four days ago. We are keeping in touch with all the organizations. We are monitoring the situation. I will increase the amount as soon as it is absolutely necessary.
Supply October 15th, 2001
Mr. Speaker, first, we have had 35 hours of debate in the House before this decision was made. With respect, this parliament is probably one of the most active. I hope the hon. member was part of that debate. Today there will be ongoing debate on the reaction and I also hope the hon. member will participate. There has been ample time to participate on this issue.
I remind the member that it is not just the military action we have to look at. We sometimes forget that there are innocent people in Afghanistan, Pakistan and in other parts of the world. What I would like to talk about is the issue of eradicating violence in our system and around the world so we no longer have to deal with this kind of terrorism.