International Trade committee  Just on the record, yes or no—or, if you haven't taken a position, that's fine too—do you support a possible free trade agreement with North Korea or with Myanmar?

Burma  CIDA will respond by setting aside $2 million to support international humanitarian organizations such as the UN, the International Red Cross and the World Food Program. We have just received word that the UN has negotiated access with the government of Myanmar. We call upon the government of Myanmar to allow access to other international humanitarian organizations and to allow for an effective aid operation.

Situation in Sri Lanka  There was a cyclone that devastated the whole country and the generals were not allowing international aid to go in. Canadian teams were stuck in Bangkok and while they were trying to get visas to get into Myanmar, they were told no. The international community, including this government, condemned that. Canadians of Burmese origin were saying R2P, responsibility to protect. Certainly, this was something that was moved in the United Nations and after a lot of pressure the generals opened their borders and teams were able to go in and help the innocent people who were devastated by the hurricane.

Foreign Affairs committee  I think it's important to note that recently the government--in fact it was the foreign affairs minister--announced economic sanctions against Burma, or Myanmar. I was going to speak to this later, but I think it's important to bring it up now. This is where it should be. In fact, the government confirms that through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, if I may, who just recently announced economic sanctions against Myanmar.

House debate  After the 8888 student uprising on August 8, 1988, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, or SPDC, also known as SLORC, changed the name to the “Union of Myanmar” when it officially seized power. This change has never been recognized by opposition groups nor many English speaking nations. The junta also changed the capital city from Rangoon to Naypyidaw in 2006.

Committees of the House  They are found—and we heard groups complain about this—in Africa, South America, and Asia, where Myanmar is one specific example. These companies are corporations and, in most cases, are listed on Canadian stock exchanges. Finally and unfortunately—and this is the reason for the complaints and the call to action—these companies are associated with forced population displacements, significant environmental damage, support for repressive regimes, serious human rights violations and sometimes even assassinations.

Public Safety  For example, I would like to quote Josette Sheeran, executive director of the World Food Program. She said: Time is of the essence to reach those in need in Myanmar. We are most grateful to [the] Minister for his rapid life-saving action on behalf of the Canadian people.

International Aid  Mr. Speaker, Myanmar is in a race against time. Lives hang in the balance. Millions of people could die as a result of infectious diseases and malnutrition unless food and medication get to them as soon as possible.

Burma  Mr. Speaker, I do not call it Myanmar; I call it Burma, as the people call it. To help the stricken people of Burma on this tragic day, will the Prime Minister meet with Prime Minister Sein Win this afternoon? Will the Government of Canada commit to hosting a Burmese MP union meeting in Ottawa this year?

Budget Implementation Act, 2008  That is why the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration recently announced that we would double the number of Iraqi refugees we accept this year and, among other things, has also made commitments to bring in several thousand Karen refugees from Myanmar and refugees from Bhutan, two places that do not get a lot of media attention but where people are suffering nonetheless. The changes we propose also would affect those in Canada seeking humanitarian and compassionate consideration of their applications to stay in this country.

Prebudget Consultations  Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question regarding Burma, or Myanmar. The government has given $300 million over five years to Palestine. We had a huge crisis in Burma and the government has done good legislative work on that, but on the aid side there is only $2 million a year.

Foreign Affairs committee  The council further requested that the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Mr. Sérgio Pinheiro, seek an urgent visit to the country and report back to the council. The special rapporteur's visit took place in November 2007, and his report will be presented at the upcoming session of the council from March 3 to 28, 2008.

Questions on the Order Paper  Within Third Committee this year, Canada has co-sponsored the following resolutions: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa Implementation of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons: realizing the Millennium Development Goals for persons with disabilities Policies and programmes involving youth: youth in the global economy--Promoting youth participation in social and economic development Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Aging Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women Eliminating rape and other forms of sexual violence in all their manifestations, including as instruments to achieve political or military objectives United Nations Development Fund for Women Term of office of the members of the Consultative Committee on the United Nations Development Fund for Women Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Supporting efforts to end obstetric fistula The girl child Rights of the child Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization Protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief Human rights in the administration of justice Effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism The right to food Situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Situation of human rights in Myanmar Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Situation of human rights in Belarus Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol Strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity International cooperation against the world drug problem.

Foreign Affairs committee  Goldring for bringing this issue up, and I would support the motion. The only issue I have, though, is that I don't know whether Burma or Myanmar is a good example for us to study what Canada's impact is or could be to push for democratic development, as an example, to highlight what we can do around the world, because our influence on Burma is very limited.

Myanmar  Speaker, a number of my constituents, particularly an Amnesty International group in my riding, are concerned about the human rights situation in Myanmar, previously Burma. Human rights abuses, violence against women, the holding of political prisoners and military rule are only a few of the main concerns. Just this spring, the opposition leader's house arrest was extended by a year.