Maxime Bernier

[Olympic Games, April 9th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question and for giving me an opportunity to clarify this. Canada's position is very clear. We do not plan on boycotting the Olympic Games. That said, we also have a clear position on China's activities as they affect human rights.

We urge the Chinese government to respect the freedom of expression of Tibetans and to stop the violence against these people. We have a policy and we want to see talks between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama to bring an end to the violence, so that the situation there complies with international human rights standards.

[Foreign Affairs, April 7th, 2008]

As my colleague just mentioned, it is true that Mr. Khadr has been visited by my department's representatives on several occasions. It is true that we have received assurances from the American government that Mr. Khadr was not treated cruelly. It is also true that Mr. Khadr faces serious accusations.

As for asking for the release of Mr. Khadr, it is too early and too premature to do so because not all legal avenues of appeal have been exhausted.

[Airbus, April 7th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, as I said in French previously, no meeting happened and the law has been followed. Those members are trying to find a scandal. They are trying to find a story where there is no story.

[Airbus, April 7th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, again, the opposition is trying to make up stories or scandals out of thin air.

When I was Minister of Industry, I never met with Mr. Mulroney about anything. I did however have social contact with him during his book launching in Montreal.

[National Security, April 7th, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows full well, the question is premature. The sale of MDA is being reviewed by the Minister of Industry under the Investment Canada Act.

In my role as foreign affairs minister, I will act with one guiding priority. It is very simple. I will act keeping in mind the protection of Canadian sovereignty.

[Tibet, April 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, the situation in Tibet is of great concern to us, which is why we are asking for talks between Chinese and Tibetan authorities—in order to resolve the situation. We believe that Tibetans have the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Those are universal values, and we hope that they can be peacefully practised in Tibet.

[Foreign Affairs, April 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, that is what we have done and what we are doing. As the hon. member knows, we have an important policy that promotes human rights.

In consular cases, that is what we do. I personally have done so and so have a number of other ministers. We raise these cases when that needs to be done in order to defend Canadians abroad.

[Foreign Affairs, April 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, I am quite pleased to work with the secretary of state. I am quite pleased to work with my cabinet colleagues. I would like to say that we regret that personal information about Ms. Martin's case was made public, in violation of the Privacy Act.

My officials are looking into where the leak might have originated from. We will keep the House abreast of this investigation.

[Afghanistan, April 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, yes, our mission in Afghanistan is a Canadian mission, thanks to the support of the opposition, and I am very happy about that. This mission is taking place under the leadership of the Prime Minister. We are currently in Bucharest to make sure this mission can continue until 2011, according to the conditions set out in the resolution of the House.

[Afghanistan, April 1st, 2008]

Mr. Speaker, we are very proud to be in Bucharest with all our allies to talk about Afghanistan and make sure it remains a priority for NATO. I am optimistic that by the end of this meeting, we will have achieved what we set out to do. We are there with a strong mandate that the opposition and Parliament have given us, and we will respect that mandate.