House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2011, with 35% of the vote.
Afghanistan December 7th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, for months now, the Minister of National Defence has been claiming that there is no evidence that Afghan prisoners transferred by the Canadian Forces were tortured. However, the sworn testimony of Canadian officials is contradicting the minister.
Obviously, the minister has misled Canadians. Will he admit it and finally tell the truth?
Afghanistan December 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the government fails to realize that Canadian Forces may face this situation with detainees in the future.
Once and for all, it would be good to have a judge investigate this with national security clearance and access to documents that are uncensored and unredacted, for the benefit of the Canadian Forces and our honour overseas, so we can get to the bottom of this. This is what Parliament proposed yesterday, involving both the previous Liberal government and this one.
I fail to understand why the government cannot accede to the reasonable request of Parliament.
Afghanistan December 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Parliament passed a motion to hold a public inquiry into the transfer of Afghan detainees from 2001 to 2009. This would not be a partisan inquiry regarding a particular government, but an inquiry presided over by a judge able to shed some light in the interest of national security.
Why does the government refuse to accept such a responsible proposal?
Afghanistan December 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the government's approach has neglected the crucial importance of political and diplomatic engagement. Other countries have created high-level envoys for the whole region. The United Kingdom, France, the United States, Germany have done this. Canada has earned the right to be at the table and to participate in those efforts.
Could the government explain why, month after month, it has refused to take that step, which will give coordination to our diplomatic and political efforts in the region?
Afghanistan December 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, this side of the House will always congratulate the good work done by Canadian Forces. However, there has been a change not only in intensification of combat but an intensification of diplomatic activity. We cannot bring security to Afghanistan without a mixed and balanced approach that combines diplomatic and political activity with military activity.
Given President Obama's new approach, why does the government still refuse to appoint a high-level Canadian envoy to give us leverage in the political—
Afghanistan December 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, President Obama told Americans that there will be intensification of combat in Afghanistan. That will affect our forces and Canada's strategy in the region.
Can the government tell us whether Canada's strategy on the ground will change? When will Canadians be informed?
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women December 2nd, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and the 20th anniversary of the massacre at the École polytechnique de Montréal.
On the 20th anniversary of the Montreal massacre, we remember not only the 14 women who were murdered that day, but also the 500 aboriginal women who are missing or murdered and the tens of thousands of Canadian women who are victims of domestic violence.
Twenty years ago we watched events unfold in mute horror, but these events have taught us to reaffirm that a crime against women is always a crime against everyone else and that all Canadians must stand against these acts of violence to ensure there is justice and security for all our citizens.
In remembrance of that day of horror and suffering 20 years ago, we all rededicate ourselves to the equality and dignity of women both in Canada and abroad.
We must take immediate action to ensure dignity and security for all our citizens.
Afghanistan December 1st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, our side of the House did no such thing. We hold General Gauthier in the highest respect.
The issue here is that all of the evidence in this affair, including that handed over to the Military Police Complaints Commission, was so heavily redacted as to be useless.
The versions of Richard Colvin's memos that were leaked to journalists were so redacted as to be useless.
We need to get to the bottom of this. Why will the government not accept that we need a judge, an independent inquiry, and full access to the documents so that we can finally get to the bottom of this affair?
Afghanistan December 1st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, last week in his testimony, General Gauthier said that he hoped Parliament would have access to the documents on this question. It still has not happened.
After weeks of withholding evidence, how are Canadians now supposed to believe that the government will provide full and uncensored documents to the parliamentary committee so that it can get at the truth of this matter?
Afghanistan December 1st, 2009
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of National Defence said that the government was refusing to disclose evidence of torture in Afghanistan because of the Canada Evidence Act, but today the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that some documents will be made public. Two days, two different stories.
What guarantee can the government give Canadians that all the documents will be made public without being censored?