House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 59% of the vote.
Afghanistan February 7th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I have already told the House and I am pleased to say it again for the hon. member: we signed an agreement last May, to improve the agreement signed by the previous Liberal government. This agreement is still in effect. The Canadian Forces have the discretion to enforce the agreement in the field.
I can assure you that if ever cases of abuse or allegations of abuse are raised with our officials, they will contact the Afghan government directly to follow up on the allegations.
The Francophonie February 6th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, if I were the hon. member, I would be ashamed. I would be ashamed of asking such a question in this House. I would be ashamed of questioning my personal attachment to my mother tongue. I am a proud Quebecker and a passionate Canadian.
The Francophonie February 6th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is trying to make something out of nothing. He is exaggerating. His comments are exaggerated.
What has the Bloc Québécois done for the French fact here in Ottawa in over 13 years? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Afghanistan February 5th, 2008
No, Mr. Speaker. What we are doing is very simple, and that is helping the Afghan government to be there and to succeed in security. We want the Afghan people to live in peace and security in their country.
Why is the member opposite against an open and transparent debate on the Manley report? If the Liberals believe in the Afghan mission, they must be open to a full debate on that.
Afghanistan February 5th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I have the courage to confirm what I said yesterday in the House. The Government of Canada will not build prisons in Afghanistan. The Government of Canada will not manage prisons in Afghanistan. We are there with the international community to help the Afghan people develop their own institutions and to help them prosper safely in their country.
Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction February 4th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the annual report on Canada's contribution to the global partnership against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction.
Foreign Affairs February 4th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we are deeply concerned about the current humanitarian situation in Gaza. In fact, a few weeks ago, I travelled to Israel and Palestine, to see the situation for myself. We are following things very closely. We hope that a peace agreement can be reached in the Middle East, in 2008.
The Americans and the international community are working together to ensure that the Middle East will become a land of peace in the coming year.
Afghanistan February 4th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, Canada is not in the business of building prisons. We are in the business of building capacity with the Afghan government. We want to help the Afghan people have a secure state. That is our position.
Why does the member opposite not want an open, transparent debate on the Afghan mission?
Afghanistan February 4th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, the government is not in the business of building prisons. We are in the business of capacity building with the Afghan government.
If my colleague opposite truly cares about the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, he would want an open, honest and transparent debate on the Afghan mission in order to discuss all aspects of the mission. He may be against having an open and honest debate, but that is what we want.
Afghanistan February 4th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, we take allegations involving the governor of Kandahar very seriously. Officials have reported to the Afghan government with regard to these allegations and I can tell you that the Afghan government is following up on this matter.