Government Assistance  Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we are very proud of the commitment that members of the Canadian Forces made. Over 2,600 military personnel and reservists were fighting with civilian workers. We are also very proud of civilian employers who gave reservists a chance to participate in this important effort.

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the member for Markham to present a petition signed by residents of Markham who call upon Parliament to focus its legislative support on adult stem cell research and to find the cures and therapies necessary to treat the illnesses and diseases of suffering Canadians.

National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, two copies of the 2002-03 annual report of the National Defence and Canadian Forces Ombudsman.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, like the member for Yukon, I find the interventions of the member for Lac-Saint-Louis interesting and reflective. I appreciate a lot of his comments. I am wondering if he might offer some views on one issue which certainly is of concern to many of us in this caucus.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I listened carefully to the speech by the member for Vancouver East, a member for whom I have considerable respect. I had the privilege of working with her on a special committee of the House on the non-medical use of drugs. Her commitment to many issues is well known.

Budget Implementation Act, 2003  Mr. Speaker, I want to make it very clear that in no way would the government or the Department of Defence seek to harass local residents, permit local residents to be harassed or in fact compromise the health or safety of local residents. Mr. Speaker, you and I understand that the role of a local member of Parliament is to do what one can to help his or her constituency.

Budget Implementation Act, 2003  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke for her comments with respect to JTF2. I know she shares my view that this very elite unit of the Canadian Forces has done remarkable work, both in Canada and abroad. As members know, last summer I had the chance, along with the Minister of National Defence, to visit Afghanistan and to see firsthand the remarkable work our forces are doing.

Reserve Forces  Mr. Speaker, today we honour Public Service of Canada employees who also serve our nation as members of the reserve forces. Reservists train on evenings, weekends, and for periods of full time service usually during the summer. To facilitate this training the government is taking a leading role in reiterating its position on military leave regulations for reservists and setting an example that many civilian employers are following.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I hope there is no misunderstanding with respect to what the member refers to as a cloak of secrecy put over JTF2. The only reason the government does not talk about the operational missions, the deployments and the military persons serving in this regiment is for their own safety, the safety of their families and the safety of the unit.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Renfrew--Nipissing--Pembroke for her interest not only in the men and women who serve at CFB Petawawa but also her genuine interest in JTF2. She has asked questions about JTF2 in the past. She is on the defence committee. She does have a genuine interest in the welfare of the men and women of our forces, particularly those who serve in that elite unit and for that I thank her.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, the member for St. John's West was at committee when the minister was there on the estimates. He was asked very precisely if he would revisit the decision and the minister gave a very clear answer at that time. He said that he would only revisit the decision if he had subsequent information which indicated to him that the decision he took, with considerable difficulty and a great deal of consideration, was the wrong one.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member from St. John's. His kind comments as he began his statement made me think that his long parliamentary experience, both in this House and in the Newfoundland House of Assembly where he served in many roles, gives him a great knowledge of fisheries issues.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I think the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs is absolutely correct. The relationship between our two countries is based on decades of co-operation, certainly on economic co-operation, and co-operation in national defence. I have outlined some of the many important areas such as trade co-operation and co-operation in various international organizations and groups.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I will answer the question very directly. No, it does not concern me at all because we have not been cut off from access to important intelligence from our allies. What does concern me is the continual push from members of the Alliance to have the Solicitor General and the government list groups or entities based on knee-jerk political reaction.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the very distinguished member for Mississauga South. I wish to speak briefly on the second part of the motion before the House, that regarding the close relationship between Canada and the United States. I do not think there is any doubt in the House that the United States is Canada's most important ally, because while geography has made us neighbours and trade certainly has made us important partners, a history over many years has made our two nations friends.