International Trade committee  The 2007 Index of Economic Freedom ranks South Korea 89th in terms of free trade, behind countries like Kenya, Mongolia and Burma. The report makes the following statement about free trade in South Korea: South Korea's weighted average tariff rate was 7.9 percent in 2005. Prohibitive tariffs, non-transparent and restrictive regulations and standards, import restrictions, import taxes, weak enforcement of intellectual property rights, export subsidies, and services market access barriers add to the cost of trade.

Canada Elections Act  That is great for a country in that part of Asia where democracies are not prevalent, particularly with the sad situation today in Burma. The provisions were put in with the best intent. There are people who have come to members of Parliament with numerous examples suggesting the occurrence of fraud when identification is not available.

Darfur  We are taking action to promote and protect human rights around the world. That is why we took a strong stand last November against the military regime in Burma. We imposed the toughest economic sanctions in the world. We also took action and are still taking action in Afghanistan together with the international community to promote human rights and help lift the country out of its misery.

Foreign Affairs committee  The government of Canada has been paying attention to this issue since 1988, with different governments, different parties in government, and yet the impact is nil. So I would not play up Canada's role in the world by using Burma as an example of our interfering. That's the only warning that I would raise.

Foreign Affairs committee  Would it not be better if Madame Barbot were to put forth a strongly worded statement that would come from this committee being critical of the Burmese government or requesting the Canadian government to do a few things? That way we could get a strongly worded statement on the issue of Burma now when it is timely, rather than waiting sometime into the next spring or summer, because that's realistically when we'll get to this.

Foreign Affairs committee  We would have to agree on a change in that respect. If the motion is to study what is happening overall in Burma, that is fine with me, but if it is limited to the government's violent response, that would be different.

Foreign Affairs committee  Are we going to look at our sanctions? Are we going to look at the response of the government of Burma specifically? We need to know what the focus will be. Are we going to look at the role of the international community? Are we going to look at everything? If that is the case, that will dictate how long we are going to look at it.

Foreign Affairs committee  The next motion on the paper is that pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development conduct a study of the violent response of the Burmese regime to democratic movements in Burma. I'll invite Mr. Goldring to speak to his motion, please.

Foreign Affairs committee  People know how I feel about Burma. I'll move on.

Foreign Affairs committee  If you're talking about private funds, you're talking about public pension funds, which foreign affairs has nothing to do with. It's not relevant. Doing an economic measure, as was adopted with Burma.... That is not a study dealing with what private funds are doing, all those things. It's just an economic statement. We're not asking for economic sanctions against Sudan at this time here.

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.

International Day of Tolerance  Speaker, every November 16 is designated as the International Day of Tolerance, a day to advance human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilizations and peoples. In Darfur, Burma and Colombia, the concept of tolerance is being trampled and severely tested. Closer to home, the Conservative government's tolerance of the minorities in this country also leaves much to be desired.

Foreign Affairs  This morning we learned that Canada will impose the world's most strict sanctions on the reviled military regime in Burma. Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs inform the House how this morning's announcement furthers Canada's foreign policy of getting results through principled leadership?

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, we have all seen stories about the repression taking place in Burma. I was very pleased and proud this morning to make this announcement. Yes, we will have the strongest economic sanctions against the military regime there. This is something we have done and the previous Liberal government did not do.

Sir Robin Vanderfelt  Sir Robin Vanderfelt led the association through a period of extensive expansion, and the size and influence of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association today is due in no small part to his vision and leadership. Sir Robin attended the University of Cambridge and in World War II served in India and Burma. He was made a member of the Order of the British Empire in 1954 and granted a knighthood in 1973. He was held in high regard by those who knew him. He will be remembered for his patience, integrity and kindness, and for the distinction with which he served his country and the Commonwealth.