Foreign Affairs committee  I applaud the government for not coming forward and saying that in light of all the wonderful things that our government has done in Burma.... It's very specific to say “let's know what's going on in Burma”. It's not a politicized type of motion. Madame Barbot.

Foreign Affairs committee  Goldring may want to speak to that. I think it's a study of how they are responding to democracy promotion in Burma. It's not Canada's democracy promotion; it's when we see the monks and everyone else in Burma who are asking for more freedom. So it is a violent response of the Burmese regime. Speaking from the chair--and maybe this is out of order--I think it is a positive thing to say that our committee is aware of what's going on there and we have passed a motion.

Foreign Affairs committee  It's very apparent there has been an escalation in violence and repression of democratic actions in Burma, and it's all been very topical. Historically, in 1988 the citizens of Burma rose up nation-wide, and since then they've basically been under a military-led government that has consistently participated in violent repression of democratic ideals and freedoms.

Foreign Affairs committee  In response I would just suggest that the government's recent actions in this area—to go back to Burma—obviously suggest that what we're doing here is congruent with what they've announced on Burma. I say that because they're talking about no new private investment as well as government investment.

Birthday Congratulations  Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Burma, myself and all other members would like to wish Aung San Suu Kyi a very happy and healthy 62nd birthday. Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma and a 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, has been under house arrest for over 11 years and will be alone during her birthday as no one is allowed to visit or contact her.

Aung San Suu Kyi  I trust that one day we will be able to honour Aung San Suu Kyi by welcoming our honorary citizen to Canada as the leader of a democratic and free Burma.

Aung San Suu Kyi  Sophie and her classmates have signed a petition calling on parliamentarians in this House to take decisive action to encourage the return of democracy in Burma. On May 18, 2005, the House of Commons adopted the report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on the motion on Burma. It specifically called on the government to “urge the authorities in Burma to release [...]

Burma  Burma is one of the leading heroin suppliers to Canada and faces constant environmental degradation. In September of this year, the United Nations finally put the crisis in Burma on its agenda.

Privilege  It is my duty pursuant to Standing Order 38 to inform the House that the questions to be raised tonight at the time of adjournment are as follows: the hon. member for Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, Public Transit; the hon. member for Yukon, Burma. Questions and comments, the hon. member for Hamilton East—Stoney Creek.

Public Accounts committee  It is in the pipeline, and it has been a tremendous asset for us to support that mission and to support any other demands worldwide. For example, we had the cyclone in Burma, we had the earthquake in China, and we can use our own strategic airlift or we can contract it out. Even though we will have at full operating capability four C-17s, this will only represent about 40% of the job that I do on a daily basis--only 40%.

Public Accounts committee  That would mean that if you wanted to send the disaster assistance relief team and you don't have your own autonomy in terms of strategic lift, you may end up not being able to do anything. We've seen it with Burma; we were well set up for that. But many other countries in the world could not access either their own strategic lift or the Antonov. So it's really fundamental, because it gives you that autonomy.

Committees of the House  Resource riches can be used to prop up corrupt and repressive regimes, like in Zimbabwe and Sudan. Canadian investments in places like Burma have been contributing to the junta, the regime there, and its oppression of the Burmese people. These are Canadian company that are having a direct effect, in a negative way, on people around the world.

Budget Implementation Act, 2008  We will continue to work with the legitimate government of China, the same as we continue under difficult circumstances to attempt to work with the government of Burma. None of these questions are easily answered. There is no panacea that will solve the problems of the world, but we are working diligently to do that.

Business of Supply  As we enter the hurricane season in this hemisphere, I think all of us are still horrified by the pictures that we have seen coming out of Burma as well as the pictures following the earthquake in China. This should serve as a chilling wake-up call that disasters can wreak havoc on citizens and on economies just as much as terrorism and wars.

Business of Supply  My colleague is quite correct in referring to the unfortunate events that have taken place in Burma. Canada is very concerned by the frequency and the increasing impact of natural disasters, including those that occur in the Americas. We are working to actively promote and support disaster risk reduction activities in the hemisphere.