Mr. Speaker, is not the particular case of Ukraine a perfect example of the way we should be approaching developing democracies, developing civil societies in the world?
There was absolutely no question that it was an issue of trade or investment. We looked to our allies to work together with them, but we took on a leading role. We took on a leading role because Canadians expected it of us. They expected us to stand up for Canadian values, values that we believe in, democracy and civil society.
There are other examples perhaps of when trade or investment influence our foreign policy in countries that have developing democracies or civil societies. I am not convinced that it is the Canadian values of democracy and civil society espoused by foreign affairs that take precedence at all times when the two departments work together. They should be separated. Foreign affairs should lay the groundwork and make sure that when Canadians become interested in investment and trade that we do it with countries that we have helped along the path of democracy and civil society.