House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 57% of the vote.
Foreign Affairs June 1st, 2006
Mr. Speaker, let me give one firm example of where this government has taken a strong position. Unlike the member opposite, this government stands firmly behind the Canadian troops, working for the health, welfare and stability of people in Afghanistan, unlike that member.
Foreign Affairs June 1st, 2006
Mr. Speaker, it is amazing, coming from that member, to suggest that this government has no positions on foreign policy. The problem is that the members opposite have no foreign affairs critic, if this is the approach he is going to take. He is reminding us daily, and we have seen his political record, that if we do not like his principles, if we do not like his positions, stick around, he has others.
Foreign Affairs June 1st, 2006
Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that torture is one of a number of important issues before the United Nations. A human rights council is being set up to deal specifically with issues like torture, to deal specifically with issues like small arms proliferation. These are exactly the types of examples where Canada will be taking strong positions and making representations when that body is fully functioning.
United Nations reform is another area where Canada is playing a significant role right now.
Foreign Affairs June 1st, 2006
Mr. Speaker, like so many files, we are working very hard to re-establish Canada's position on the international scene. That means taking decisions at the United Nations, not acquiescing or staying neutral on a number of important cases.
We are following this issue very closely. We are working with international partners and we are forever taking positions where the previous Liberal government sat on the sidelines, carping and harping and doing nothing.
Foreign Affairs June 1st, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the old phrase of the pot calling the kettle black certainly comes to mind when I hear that member suggesting that somehow somebody is playing politics with this matter. This is a serious matter. There are two individuals whose lives have been snuffed out senselessly in an extreme act of violence while they were in Cancun.
Standing up in the House of Commons and trying to draw attention to himself is not going to help catch the killers of the Ianiero family.
Foreign Affairs June 1st, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I have in fact had an opportunity to speak with my counterpart in Mexico on this issue on a number of occasions.
As the member opposite should know and would know, these criminal investigations take a long time. They often involve extensive investigations both inside and outside the country. There are police matters which another country cannot impose its will upon.
I would ask the hon. member to be helpful in this case rather than trying to draw publicity to himself, as is his wont.
Foreign Affairs May 30th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the hard work he does in the area of international relations and international development. I could not agree more that this type of provocative and insulting approach to world leaders has done little to enhance Canada's reputation. We know that the previous Liberal government, members of its staff and members of that party have made those types of remarks to very little effect.
This government has taken a different approach. We have seen the change in the United States of America, for example, where we have now signed the historic softwood lumber agreement as witness to this type of approach being much more productive and constructive.
No, we are not going to pursue that type of approach. We will take a different approach. We look forward to seeing President Karzai, a respected international leader, in Canada.
Foreign Affairs May 30th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member, who I know has a personal relationship with Mr. Jahanbegloo. I assure the member that we do take this matter very seriously. We immediately engaged with our international partners in efforts to relay this message, as we did in terms of the Iranian ambassador himself.
I should indicate as well that on May 29 Canada joined with the European Union and several other countries in presenting a démarche to the Iranian minister of foreign affairs concerning this individual. The member knows as well, having contact with the family members, that they initially expressed reservations about their loved one's well-being if there were public discourse about the case.
We are going to pursue every diplomatic means possible. That involves, of course, engaging our international partners.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency May 30th, 2006
Imagine, Mr. Speaker, the party of Gagliano, Dingwall and Ouellet getting up and lecturing about patronage. When it comes to rewarding one's friends, when it comes to corruption, when it comes to waste, yes, the Liberal government had it right.
No, this Tory government will not do it that way. We will be fair, open and transparent and we will clean up the mess left by the Liberals.
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency May 30th, 2006
As I have said before, Mr. Speaker, I guess I am able to do in half the time what it took a Liberal to do in twice the time and not do well.
The member opposite may fancy himself an eloquent speaker, but what is really unfortunate about what is being done here is that it diminishes the importance of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. It does away with the important work that is being done to ensure that the hiring practices are fair and open. What is really unfortunate is that members opposite are getting up and making completely unfounded and bogus allegations and then asking for an apology instead of offering one themselves.