House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 54% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, Canada has invested a great deal in Afghanistan, both in lives lost and in treasure. We certainly do not want to lose any of the gains that we have made with respect to women, children and minorities. We are determined to preserve those gains as NATO and U.S. troops pull out.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, in answer to the question, committees may make requests, and it is civil servants who apply the rules in deciding what can be provided and what cannot be provided or has to be blacked out for security, or privacy, or commercial reasons.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, we try to always comply with requests from committees, but we also have to take into account that there are commercial and other private or very sensitive security interests that also have to be taken into consideration.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I reject the premise of that question. We treat all Canadians who are arbitrarily detained with the same urgency. That is what our government feels is absolutely necessary, and it is part of our values.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, absolutely.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, that is information that we, as a government, do not share.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, we are deeply concerned about Mr. Jalil and continue to raise his case at senior levels in China, and we will continue to do so until we get consular access in order to determine his well-being and offer him assistance.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, the answer is yes.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, the short answer is yes. Absolutely, we are. We are trying to get access to Mr. Jalil.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, let me be clear, again. It is a Criminal Code offence to travel abroad to engage in terrorist activity, and our government takes with the utmost seriousness the threats posed by travelling extremists and returnees of Daesh.