House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 62% of the vote.
Ethics November 24th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, it happens that we are very pleased that the Premier of Ontario went to Israel. She did a great job there, and she had the services of the embassy, to which everyone is welcome.
If my colleague wants to go, he will have the same service.
Ethics November 24th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, it is just that my colleague has the wrong information. The amount of money he speaks about is an amount of money that was available to anyone—
Foreign Affairs November 22nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for her question and assure her that her concerns are certainly shared by all members of the House and by me, in my capacity as minister.
I have raised this issue several times with my counterpart, the minister of foreign affairs of Turkey, and again just recently. We continue to insist that the Turkish people, who courageously refused to accept a coup d'état, be protected by the rule of law and by democracy, the very principles that were defended in resistance to the coup, and we have very serious concerns about the conduct of the Turkish government at this time.
Questions on the Order Paper November 18th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, with regard to part a), the number of contractors working at the 179 Canadian embassies, consulates, or high commissions as of October 5, 2016 is 3,068.
With regard to part b) (i), the number of these contractors having a security clearance allowing them to work in secure zones of Canadian missions is 1,439.
With regard to part b) (ii), 1,629 contractors without a security clearance are allowed access only in the public zones of the grounds or building of Canadian embassies, consulates, or high commissions, as of October 5, 2016.
The safety and security of departmental, embassy, and mission staff and of assets are a top priority. Thorough security protocols and measures are in place at every embassy, consulate, and high commission, tailored to both their respective public and secure zones. These zones require different levels of security clearances and thus have rigorous and appropriate safety and security protocols in place.
Questions on the Order Paper November 14th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), the members of the Canadian delegation were: (1) Mr. Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, (2) Mr. Julian Ovens, chief of staff to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, (3) Ms. Pascale Massot, political adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, (4) Ms. Chantal Gagnon, press attaché to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and (5) Mr. Frédéric Huot-Bolduc, visits officer, office of protocol, Global Affairs Canada.
With regard to (b), for information related to the trip to Sri Lanka taken by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in July 2016, please refer to the following documents: news release, “Minister Dion to visit Sri Lanka following successful visit to Lao People's Democratic Republic”, at http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1104809; news release, “Minister Dion concludes successful visit to Sri Lanka”, at http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1105999; and “Address by Minister Dion on the occasion of a joint press conference with Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Samaraweera”, at http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1105779.
With regard to (c), hotel accommodation costs at the hotel Taj Samudra were covered by the Sri Lankan government for four members of the delegation. The Government of Canada covered accommodation expenses for one member of the delegation for a three night stay in the amount of $510.70 Canadian. Meals cost $333.62 Canadian, for 3 days. Air transportation cost $28,279.28 Canadian. Other transportation costs were $962.92 Canadian, and other expenses $2,443.41 Canadian.
Foreign Affairs November 14th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, the three parties in the House agreed to honour the contract with Saudi Arabia. However, the foreign affairs minister has the authority to revoke export permits if the equipment is used inappropriately, and I am very careful about how I use that power in every case.
We will also have the opportunity to sign the Arms Trade Treaty. This treaty will soon be examined in committee, and I look forward to reading the committee's report in order to ensure more transparent and rigorous regulation of firearms throughout the world.
International Trade November 14th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.
The fact is, the softwood lumber agreement expired under the previous government. As the Prime Minister has said, we look forward to working very closely with the new American administration. That being said, in the meantime, we are working with the current American administration to negotiate a softwood lumber deal. We will also make a significant contribution to those negotiations with producers, workers, the provinces, and the territories.
We have an excellent case to make, and we will continue working hard to reach a softwood lumber deal.
International Trade November 14th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, Canada is a trading nation and we are a trading government. When it comes to the TPP, the promise was to consult Canadians and that is what we are doing. Recently, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade held consultations on the TPP in the Northwest Territories and trade committee continues to hear from interested Canadians across the country.
I am proud of the work we are doing, listening to Canadians on this important issue, with our international trade minister.
International Trade November 14th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, we look forward to working very closely with the president-elect, his administration, and with the United States Congress in the years ahead, including on issues like investment, international peace, security, and trade. Our trading relationship with the United States is very important and we will have the interests of Canadians in mind all the way through.
Foreign Affairs November 3rd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, in fact as I already said, we seek to maximize membership and to consult with countries that have strong human rights records at home and abroad. Why are we doing so? It is because we are champions fighting for universal human rights at every opportunity, at the United Nations, and on every continent. And with the Prime Minister, let me tell everyone, we are champions for universal human rights everywhere in the world.