October 17, 2007

Hon. Percy Downe: Honourable senators, I, too, rise in support of this motion as a member of the Canadian Parliamentary Friends of Burma. Our colleague Senator Jaffer serves with me on that executive. I obviously support this motion, but I will not repeat all the good points made by Senator Carstairs. I hope that Senator Comeau will explain to us or find out what other actions Canada is prepared to take. This is an important piece of the puzzle. I am particularly interested in Canadian companies that may be doing business in Burma and making a profit from military slave labour.

Has the government given any instructions or guidance to the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board? Although the government does not direct the funding and investment, have they expressed an opinion to the board on investment in companies that are doing business in Burma at the current time? Do they have a list, for example, of which Canadian companies are operating in Burma? Are they proposing any sanctions against those companies? Do they propose any action to restrict those companies from doing business with the Government of Canada? Has the Prime Minister written to any of those companies? Has the Minister of Foreign Affairs taken any action? Could Senator Comeau find some additional information?

I am pleased to support the motion in and of itself, as I know others in the chamber are doing.

Senator Comeau: Honourable senators, I am pleased to hear that my honourable friend will be supporting the motion, and that is what the motion is all about. We did not include all of the extra questions that the senator has just asked. The motion is symbolic. Aung San Suu Kyi is a very courageous woman who symbolizes the problems faced by her country.

I would suggest that the senator place on the Order Paper all the questions he has asked. I am quite sure that he will get a better response than if I tried to track them down for him.

Senator Downe: I agree that this motion is a symbol of our support for Burma. However, in addition to symbolism, I believe that the Canadian government is in a position to take action in Canada and internationally. I will follow up on the senator's suggestion.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is the house ready for the question?

Hon. Senators: Question.

The Hon. the Speaker: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Motion agreed to.

The Senate adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m.