Evidence of meeting #143 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was important.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
—as I said to Guy, I think that subsequent events have shown clearly—
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
Erin O'Toole Conservative Durham, ON
—with China, with Saudi Arabia, if we have no diplomatic exchange, if you can't get a call returned, how can we advocate for human rights or citizens or our economic interests?
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Let me just say that I think the Canadian position—and really, the strength and power of our voice when it comes to defending human rights—has been recognized by the fact that Great Britain chose Canada as its partner for the international media freedom conference. That was very much inspired by the appropriate outrage that people feel about the terrible murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
Frankly, I'm rather surprised that the Conservative Party would not be supportive of speaking up for human rights.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
Erin O'Toole Conservative Durham, ON
You can't speak if we don't have a diplomatic presence, Minister.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
Erin O'Toole Conservative Durham, ON
Right now we have a situation where there are garbage flotillas coming back to Canada. We have major diplomatic disputes with more countries than ever before in our history, to the point where former diplomat Colin Robertson wrote about it in the Globe and Mail.
How are we engaging if countries are not talking to us, if they're recalling their ambassador or if they're not taking us seriously?
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Let me strongly disagree with that characterization of Canada's position in the world. You've mentioned a number of unrelated cases. When it comes to the Philippines specifically, I spoke on Sunday in a very positive conversation with the foreign secretary of the Philippines. We are working effectively and constructively with the Philippines to resolve that situation.
More broadly, let me just say this. The world—
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
I didn't interrupt you, Erin. I'd like you to listen to me and pay me that courtesy, please.
More broadly, I meant what I said. The world is at a worrying inflection point. We are at a time when authoritarian regimes are on the rise, when liberal democracy is under assault and when the rules-based international order is under threat. Canada has a couple—
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
Chrystia Freeland Liberal University—Rosedale, ON
Canada is doing a lot in that environment. First of all, in the most protectionist climate since the Second World War we have secured not one, not two, but three global trade deals. That is astonishing and meaningful for Canadians.
Second of all, we are building new, original and effective multilateral alliances to speak up for the rules-based international order, as we discussed with the Lima Group, as we will be doing in Britain over the summer to support media freedom.
Third, I will never apologize for our speaking out in defence of human rights, even when sometimes some people don't like it. You have to have the courage of your convictions, and I believe that's something Canadians believe in.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Michael Levitt
Thank you very much to all members for their questions this morning, and of course to Minister Freeland for being here to address the committee and to answer those questions.
We shall gather again on Thursday morning.
With that, we shall adjourn.