Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the point is that this measure would have worked. The Conservatives had an opportunity to help some of the most vulnerable people in the world, and they chose not to do so. International experts say this kind of life-saving legislation would have saved more lives. We have some Conservatives just spreading misleading information, all to justify their decision to vote the bill down for partisan reasons. When will they stop this misinformation campaign and actually work with us to start to help save lives?

Read more: Governmnet's Failure to Pass Reforms to Canada's Access to Medicines Regime

Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the conflict in Syria is escalating. Members of the House, like the international community, are increasingly concerned about the potential use of chemical weapons. We strongly support the diplomatic efforts to prevent such atrocities. At the same time, thousands and thousands of refugees from Syria are facing deteriorating conditions. Will the government now deliver on its commitment to provide additional support to these refugees, and will it expedite family reunification for those refugees with relatives in Canada?

Read more: Refugees in Syria

Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is sad to see the government turn its back on poverty in the developing world. Do the Conservatives really think mining companies are better at delivering foreign aid than, say, groups like Oxfam?The OECD admonished Conservatives for confusing "development objectives and the promotion of commercial interests". The minister has failed to set consistent priorities, and the world is noticing. Will he act on the OECD recommendations and put the priorities of the poor ahead of the promotion of commercial interests?

Read more: CIDA and Mining Companies

Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, maybe I will refresh the minister's memory about the following. We have an embassy building in Moscow that does not meet security standards, that is vulnerable to terrorist attacks and opens the door to foreign spies. Instead of calling in authorities to protect our diplomats, Conservatives are calling on the RCMP to investigate the leak.

What is the priority for these guys? Is it protecting our diplomats from terrorism or is it about protecting themselves from transparency?

Read more: Security at Canada's Moscow Embassy

Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, how can we promote trade with countries like India when investors around the world still do not know what the rules are for investing in Canada? Two years ago, the Conservatives promised Canadians transparent criteria for evaluating foreign takeovers. Two years later, Canadians are still in the dark. When will the minister stop the late night leaks, put an end to the midnight announcements and give Canadians clear rules for evaluating foreign takeovers?

Read more: Foreign Takeovers

Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that the government is able to bring agreements with Jordan and Panama in front of the House, but why not China? The scope and scale of this 31-year investment deal is unprecedented, but it fails to protect Canadian companies and lacks basic reciprocity. The government controls the House agenda and ratification timing. Will the government House leader schedule the NDP's next opposition day before the deal is ratified?

Read more: FIPA

Mr. Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, picking and choosing on this subject just will not wash. This is not a costly program. The minister has no justification for cutting it. The parliamentary secretary should listen to her colleague whosaid that "religious freedom is a fundamental freedom, one we are very, very supportive of and feel very strongly about". That was said by her colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. How can the Conservatives be so hypocritical in being strong apparently on religious freedom abroad when they will not support it at home?

Read more: Cuts to Prison Multifaith Chaplaincy Program

Mr. Paul Dewar: Mr. Speaker, I know it is a sensitive issue for the Conservatives because they are not representing our interests on the world stage. Conservatives delayed Mr. Khadr's case for years at a great cost to taxpayers. The government admitted that the U.S. pressured Canada to stop dragging its heels. Secret American documents were leaked, a serious breach of trust. How is mishandling the Omar Khadr case and alienating the U.S. good for Canadians' interests with our U.S. friends and ourreputation on the world stage?

Read more: Transfer of Omar Khadr