Foreign Affairs Committee on March 12th, 2020

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

I think you would say that there are many ways to do diplomacy. One is to speak up and speak out, and this is what I've been doing. We have been engaging, I would say. Colleagues have brought this issue up. You have brought this issue up in the House. I think we have made our concern.... We're deeply concerned about this situation. We've made our voice heard. One tool of diplomacy is to make sure you call it out the way you see it, and that's what we've done with respect to Sri Lanka.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Again, I'm not hearing an answer on the specific question about the sanctioning of Mr. Silva. We'll have an opportunity to follow up on that later.

There's another issue I wanted to raise as well. A report came out today from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians There are some really damning comments from that committee, which is chaired by Mr. McGuinty, a Liberal MP. The committee raises significant concerns about foreign interference in Canada. It says, “The threat to Canada from foreign interference is increasing. The perpetrators have become more brazen and their activities more entrenched.” The report is also critical of the government's response.

I want to ask you specifically if you are prepared to expel diplomats who are involved in foreign interference and if you have expelled any diplomats involved in foreign interference.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

I am concerned about foreign interference, as we should all be as parliamentarians, because we're here to uphold democracy.

As you know, the rapid response mechanism was the outcome of the G7. I was at StratCom, the Strategic Communications organization, recently in Latvia to understand hybrid threats.

We would expect any diplomats—and I'm talking to the camera now—who are in Canada to abide by Canadian law and regulation, and we will—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Can you tell them if they—

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

I'm saying that we expect every diplomat operating in Canada to do that.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Leona Alleslev]

Thank you very much, Minister.

We have two minutes left. The Liberals have graciously given a minute each to Mr. Bergeron and Mr. Harris.

Mr. Bergeron.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

I thank my colleagues from the Liberal Party.

Mr. Minister, today we passed a motion to provide consular services to Raif Badawi. The Saudis are refusing to allow Canada to grant consular services to Mr. Badawi because he is not a Canadian citizen.

In a nutshell, what will today's motion change?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Mr. Badawi's case is close to all Quebecers' hearts. His name is one that every family in Quebec and Canada knows.

We will continue to take all possible steps and consider all options. I met with his wife today for about 15 minutes. We are your allies, I hope, in this process.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Yes, absolutely.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Whenever we can, we will champion Mr. Badawi's rights.

This year's G20 meeting will be chaired by Saudi Arabia. I often say that we should separate the presiding country from the event, but this will give us one more opportunity...

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Leona Alleslev]

Thank you very much, Mr. Minister.

Mr. Harris, you have the floor.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

Thank you.

Mr. Spengemann brought up the question of a white paper on foreign policy, which I think would be very valuable in letting Canadians know exactly how their government sees foreign policy in a coherent manner.

Do you have a timetable for such a paper? When can we expect to see it and have a look at what you have to say?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Let me correct something. It's our feminist foreign policy, the white paper. It's on that particular aspect of our foreign policy, because this is where we wanted to provide best practices, examples, and lessons learned to other colleagues around the world who want to implement and follow Canada's example.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

What about foreign policy generally? There's been a call for foreign policy review by various people since there hasn't been one in some time. Is that on the agenda as well?

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

I would say we have a lot of things on our plate these days. You can appreciate that. For the time being, there is no plan for that review, because we have to deal now with a number of emergencies in supporting Canadians abroad and at home.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Leona Alleslev]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Thank you for giving so generously of your time over this almost two hours to talk about pretty much anything and everything with respect foreign affairs.

Thank you very much.

[François-Philippe Champagne, Liberal, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

Thank you for inviting me.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Leona Alleslev]

I will now suspend as we go in camera and deal with committee business.

[Proceedings continue in camera]