Paul Dewar

[Points of Order, February 10th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it is actually for clarification. I was on that committee when amendments were brought forward and we voted against them. I need the minister of state to understand that when he says these things, they are interpreted that one party, this party, the NDP, supported the amendments when, clearly, the facts are contrary. All we are asking is that the minister of state understand his portfolio.

[Bisphenol A (BPA) Control Act, February 6th, 2009]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-299, An Act to prohibit the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in specified products and to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Halifax for seconding this bill.

I actually introduced this bill in the last Parliament. The government adopted some of the facets of this bill that would prohibit and eliminate the use of bisphenol A in products. As we know, bisphenol A is a chromosome disrupter. It does affect human health, particularly the most vulnerable. This bill would eliminate bisphenol A in all products in Canada.

I want to push the government a little more on the adoption of this principle and look forward to this being adopted by this Parliament.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Corporate Social Responsibility of Mining Corporations Outside Canada Act, February 6th, 2009]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-298, An Act respecting Corporate Social Responsibility for the Activities of Canadian Mining Corporations in Developing Countries.

Madam Speaker, again I thank my colleague from Halifax for seconding this bill.

This bill would ensure Canada had the same obligations overseas as it has here for all of its mining extractive industries, for things like labour law, human rights and environmental laws.

In the past, the government has said that it would act on this and it has the report on corporate social responsibility to actually engage in this area but it has sat on the minister's desk without any reply.

This bill would have Canada apply the ideas and the principles of corporate social responsibility for the extractive industries overseas. This applies to places like the Congo, for sure in Darfur and Sudan, and other places around the world.

I would love it if the government would please take my bill.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[International Treaty Accountability Act, February 6th, 2009]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-297, An Act to ensure accountability in respect of Canada’s obligations under international treaties.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Halifax for seconding the bill.

It is important that Canada not only say that it will have accountability but that it must have accountability. This bill would ensure that there is accountability on all international treaties that we sign onto. This is something that the government, when it was in opposition and, in fact, in government, said that it would do. It has not followed through on that and this would ensure that, if passed, it would follow through on its commitment.

It is about time we had accountability in all aspects of government and it would start, obviously, with international obligations.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

[Afghanistan, February 6th, 2009]

I am not sure we got much clarity on that issue, Mr. Speaker. We will need a little bit more because this is a very serious issue. On a related issue, Canadians are extremely concerned about accusations that one of our agents may have been involved in torture and interrogation.

Could the government confirm whether or not Sarah, the Canadian, is in fact a Canadian? Could the government confirm whether or not she was acting with the authority of the Canadian government and what actions has the government taken to ensure that Canada's reputation has not been damaged?

[Afghanistan, February 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, according to recent reports commanders on the ground refused a NATO order to target drug traffickers in Afghanistan because they were concerned about violating international law. This NATO order is actually in violation of the spirit of the motion on Afghanistan that Parliament passed.

Does the government believe that such military action will resolve the drug problem in Afghanistan and does the government support NATO orders that potentially put our soldiers at risk of violating international law?

[Situation in Sri Lanka, February 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the Bloc member was able to bring us back to the debate.

My colleague's experience is a unique one and knows what it is like coming from and having a connection with a country that was unstable and at war. I appreciate her perspective.

The $3 million is fine and we are glad that the government has talked about a ceasefire, but it is how we get there. We have been talking tonight about ways to push for a ceasefire through the Commonwealth and also through the United Nations. I would like to hear her comments.

We heard today about an instance where cluster bombs were being used, something that we abhor. Canada has signed a treaty against their use. It is time the world community did something.

I am wondering what she thinks about our using the United Nations, through the General Assembly, as a forum to push the Security Council to take action for a ceasefire.

[Situation in Sri Lanka, February 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the minister said a couple of things that are worthy of repeating. We have not heard it from the government so I am glad to hear it the acknowledgement that at this time last year it was the Sri Lankan government that broke off the truce that had been existing.

This past October, it was the tigers who asked for a suspension of violence and to enter into some form of truce and yet we have the Government of Sri Lanka which is bent on an attrition of the tigers. So we do not have someone there who is a fair-minded partner in trying to look for peace.

We are glad to hear that the government talked about a ceasefire. We are glad to see the aid but we need to do more. We talked in the House tonight about using the Commonwealth as a vehicle, pushing our voice at the Commonwealth, isolating the Government of Sri Lanka and to use our voice at the General Assembly of the United Nations to bring this to the Security Council. I would like to know what the minister thinks about those ideas and whether the government is willing to act on them.

[Situation in Sri Lanka, February 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we have been trying to figure out what the next steps are for Canada. We have heard about the $3 million and the call for a ceasefire.

Canada is a participant in the UN General Assembly. Would her party and others join in to ask the Security Council to involve itself in Sri Lanka and put its stamp of approval on enforcing a ceasefire?

[Situation in Sri Lanka, February 4th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, one of the things that is important to lay down here is that as recently as October there was an effort by the other side, in this case by the Tamil tigers, to enter into a truce.

We now have what is really a war of attrition. We have the government saying basically that it will wipe out the Tamil tigers. We all know the history of that. It never happens. It only makes things worse.

What does the member think of the Sri Lankan government's notion that it can actually wipe out the rebel force and have peace in Sri Lanka?