Will Canada recommit to boycotting next year's commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka and encourage other member states to do the same?

Foreign Affairs 

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Ms. Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough—Rouge River, NDP):  

    Mr. Speaker, the United Nations' responses during the final days of the Sri Lankan civil war were highlighted in the Petrie report. The deep tragedy and high civilian cost of the conflict is clear. Sri Lanka's human rights record continues to cause concern around the world. Improvements are nowhere in sight.

    Unless concrete action is taken for an independent, impartial international human rights violations inquiry, will the Conservatives recommit to boycotting next year's commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka and encourage other member states to do the same?

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Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC): 

    Mr. Speaker, no government around the world, no leader of any government around the world more than this Prime Minister has fought harder to ensure that there is genuine reconciliation in Sri Lanka. No government has fought harder to ensure that there is accountability for the terrible and disgraceful events that happened near the end of the civil war and no government has spoken up more forcefully against the ongoing and deteriorating human rights situation in many parts of that country.

    This government will continue to do what is best to promote the interests of people in Sri Lanka, including the Tamil population. We have not yet made a decision as to what will happen at the commonwealth summit, but I can say that the House and all Canadians can count on this government doing the strong and principled thing to ensure the support of Sri Lankan people.

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Mr. Wayne Marston (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, NDP):  

    Mr. Speaker, this UN report is clear. Responsibility for the atrocities lies both with the Sri Lankan government and the rebels. However, the report also found serious failures at the United Nations. The report states the UN failed to stand up for the rights of people it was mandated to assist.

    What is the minister doing to ensure the implementation of these recommendations so that this never happens again?

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Hon. John Baird (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC): 

    Mr. Speaker, I think this is a first. We have the official opposition running down the United Nations on the floor of the House of Commons.

    I can assure the House that we will work with our international partners and with the United Nations. We believe this is a thoughtful and intelligent report that points to the need for all of us to ensure we do our best. Canadians can count on this Prime Minister and this government to do what is best on this issue.