Mr. Speaker, the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues is adding its voice to the criticisms of Gérard Latulippe's appointment as president of Rights & Democracy. According to the federation, his positions on the death penalty and same-sex marriage show that he does not have the moral authority to head Rights & Democracy.
Not only has the government lost all credibility by appointing Mr. Latulippe, but it is demonstrating its interference and incompetence.
Does the government realize this?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)
Mr. Speaker, the government appointed Mr. Latulippe as president of Rights & Democracy following an open and transparent competition.
We believe that with his extensive experience, including with the National Democratic Institute, he is not only an appropriate candidate, but a very well qualified one.
Ms. Francine Lalonde (La Pointe-de-l'Île, BQ)
Mr. Speaker, René Provost, director of the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism at McGill University, cautions the government against thinking it can "convince the international community by engaging in a superficial cover-up". Those are his words.
There is a simple way the government can correctly identify the problem, and that is to have a parliamentary committee conduct an inquiry and have the board of Rights & Democracy come under a committee of wise persons.
Is the government prepared to explore these solutions?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)
Mr. Speaker, we have made the necessary decisions. We have asked Mr. Latulippe to take on this extremely important responsibility because of his ability and experience. We have asked him to take on the responsibility of running this organization. This is an extremely important organization that plays a key role on the international stage, and we intend to keep supporting it.
However, if the parliamentary committee wants to call anyone to appear, it is free to do so. As I have said, it is quite—
Hon. Marlene Jennings (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, Lib.
Mr. Speaker, Gérard Latulippe, the new president of Rights & Democracy, has been at the centre of a number of controversies, the most recent involving the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues.
As my Bloc colleague mentioned, the federation stated that Mr. Latulippe does not have the moral authority to head this organization.
This Conservative appointment has tarnished Canada's reputation abroad.
Does the government agree with Mr. Latulippe's racist statements about Muslim immigration to Quebec?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)
Mr. Speaker, let me quote an interested party, who said:
He is just highly respected in the whole field. I just don't understand the questioning of his credentials.
This comes from Leslie Campbell, former chief of staff to Audrey McLaughlin and current senior associate and regional director for the Middle East and North African National Democratic Institute.
Hon. Marlene Jennings (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, Lib.)
Mr. Speaker, Sima Samar is the president of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and was a member of the Rights & Democracy board until she resigned in January because she was concerned about the current chairman's political agenda. Ms. Samar also noted that the new president, Gérard Latulippe, had previously declared Muslim immigration a threat to Quebec.
Does the government agree with Mr. Latulippe's past racist statement concerning Muslim immigration to Quebec, yes or no?
Hon. Lawrence Cannon (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)
Mr. Speaker, let me give the House another quotation, for the record. It says:
Ironically, the Bloc and Liberal opposition, while simultaneously decrying the government's continued partisanship, have rejected Mr. Latulippe's appointment on almost purely political grounds...While I don't share Mr. Latulippe's political orientation, I don't believe that stated political views and career path are reasons to question a person's capacity to act in a principled manner.
Who said that? Former NDP strategist Brian Topp in The Globe and Mail.
