The crisis at Rights & Democracy is addressed in Question Period in the House of Commons on March 4. Questions concerning R&D begin at the 15:15 mark and continue at 46:27.
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Hon. Bob Rae (Toronto Centre, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Foreign Affairs concerning Rights & Democracy.
Where are the rights and the democracy within the Conservative Party?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, allow me to first extend my deep condolences to Mr. Beauregard's family. His death is obviously a great loss.
The Government of Canada continues to support Rights & Democracy. The projects they run in countries like Afghanistan and Haiti further Canada's objectives with respect to foreign affairs and policy.
I have met the organization's president, and officials from my department have met with representatives of Rights & Democracy. I want to say that, in appointing Gérard Latulipe, the government has selected a person who meets the job requirements.
Hon. Bob Rae (Toronto Centre, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is that when Mr. Beauregard's reputation was being attacked by members of the board, that minister and the government were silent in his defence. It was a shameful moment. When he asked and begged for assistance, they refused to give it to him.
Those are the facts with respect to the conduct of the Government of Canada and the organization Rights & Democracy. When employees were fired for something called "insubordination", which means they simply expressed their opinion, the government was silent and allowed it to happen.
Where are rights and democracy for Rights & Democracy?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, Rights & Democracy, as we all know, is an arm's length organization that is run by a board of directors and its staff is not part of the public service. I have spoken with the chair and made it clear that returning to governance and stability is the priority that this government, as well as this House, is looking for.
I will meet with the chairman of the board as well as the new president, who, as I mentioned before, possesses all of the competency, skills and toolset to be able to do a good job.
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Ms. Francine Lalonde (La Pointe-de-l'Île, BQ):
Mr. Speaker, the Rights and Democracy organization is going through an unprecedented crisis entirely provoked by this government, which wants to control it. Employees are being harassed or let go, and partisan appointments are increasing. In short, arbitrary decisions and intimidation abound. The organization is becoming a puppet for the government.
Will the Prime Minister admit that all these ploys have but one goal: to control an organization and take away its autonomy?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, let me repeat that Rights and Democracy is an arm's length organization that is run by a board of directors. Its staff is not part of the public service.
I met with the president and people from my department have met with the staff. We acted by appointing a CEO, who possesses all the necessary tools and skills to fulfill his duties. We strongly believe in this organization.
Ms. Francine Lalonde (La Pointe-de-l'Île, BQ):
Mr. Speaker, we believe that the appointment of Gérard Latulippe—who believes in the death penalty, opposes same-sex marriage, believes all Muslims are terrorists and, last but not least, wants to put Haiti under trusteeship—is the icing on the cake.
Does the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who seems to be the Prime Minister's puppet and official delivery boy of his news releases, really believe that his new appointee has the skills required to run an organization like Rights and Democracy?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, not only do I believe that, but I am not the only one. Others will attest to this. For example, let me quote Charles Messier, director of the parliamentary affairs liaison office for MINUSTAH: "I am not surprised that the Government of Canada would choose such a strong, dynamic man for a strategic position within Rights and Democracy". Now that is positive feedback.
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Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the foreign affairs minister regarding Rights and Democracy.
The president of the institute has died, managers were fired, PI and PR firms were hired without tender, board members quit in disgust due to the political meddling of Conservative appointees, and yet the minister expresses confidence in the board and its chair. To make matters worse, he has made a mockery of consultations in the appointing of a new president.
Will the minister ask the board to step aside until the foreign affairs committee has investigated matters and makes recommendations to the government to make matters better?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the comments of the opposition in the consultation process, but that is not the only factor. The factor the government pursued was to be able to appoint somebody who was competent and who had the experience and the skills to run this organization.
The government is committed to this organization and we want to see it succeed.
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Mr. Thierry St-Cyr (Jeanne-Le Ber, BQ):
Mr. Speaker, during question period, when my colleague from La Pointe-de-l'Île was criticizing the comments made by Gérard Latulippe, comparing Muslims to terrorists, the member for Lévis—Bellechasse yelled out that Mr. Latulippe really got it right. I think those comments were completely inappropriate. Appointing someone as the head of Rights and Democracy who has said such things is unacceptable. Supporting these comments and saying that he got it right is downright scandalous. I urge my colleague to do the only honourable thing: retract his comments.
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Mr. Steven Blaney (Lévis—Bellechasse, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I would like to go back to the point of order that was raised after question period.
My honourable colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, mentioned Mr. Latulippe's appointment to a high-profile position. Mr. Latulippe was solicitor general in Robert Bourassa's Liberal government. Mr. Latulippe's thinking has changed over time. He was once a sovereigntist.
During question period, I said that he understood that one could be both a Quebecker and a Canadian. Now he is going to head up an organization. Mr. Latulippe's appointment as president of Rights & Democracy is an excellent choice for Quebec and for Canada. He understands that one can be a Quebecker and a Canadian, and I wish him well in his new post.
