As a summation of where the debate currently sits, the first exchange from this morning’s Question Period.
As a summation of where the debate currently sits, the first exchange from this morning’s Question Period.
Hon. Dominic LeBlanc (Beauséjour, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, international and domestic legal standards are very clear. Canada has an obligation not to transfer detainees into situations where there is a reasonable risk that they will face torture. We have now heard clear evidence that the torture was widespread and systemic in the prisons where the government was transferring Afghans. Why did the Conservatives think that Afghans transferred by Canadians would be spared this treatment? Do they not understand that they, the Conservative politicians in Ottawa, have failed to live up to their legal obligations?
Hon. John Baird (Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I say to the member opposite, the fight against terrorism, the fight against the Taliban, against al-Qaeda, is very serious and regrettably, the opposition is continuing to play partisan games on the backs of our men and women in uniform. There is not been one single proven allegation of abuse of a Canadian-transferred prisoner, and I should suggest to the member opposite that after three years of accusing our brave men and women in uniform of the very worst, it is time for the Liberal Party to apologize to our troops.