Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The reason I'm one of the members who signed this Standing Order 106(4) request is that it is very concerning, as we have heard, that once again the government has undermined the sanctions against Russia and our sanctions regime by allowing another waiver. This isn't the first time this has happened, of course. There was a waiving sanctions for the turbines. I think it was two years ago. At that point, we called an emergency meeting of this committee so we could discuss the matter and understand the government's decision to soften our sanctions in a way that I know is very disappointing to our Ukrainian allies. It is also very disappointing to other people around the world who are hoping that Canada will continue to stand in support of Ukraine. We have heard that this is particularly egregious because Ukraine has titanium they could use, and instead we have waived the sanction on Russian titanium.
I think it is very important that we understand why the government made this decision. The government has said that it is steadfast in its support of Ukraine. This does make one question whether that is accurate or not.
I circulated what I suggest the committee should undertake, and it is:
That, pursuant to the 106(4) request for an emergency meeting made by members of the Committee on April 26, 2024, in response to the government’s decision to grant sanctions waivers to two aerospace companies to allow them to use Russian titanium in their manufacturing, and given that this is not the first time that the government has weakened and undermined Canada’s sanction regime against Russia by waiving sanctions, the Committee study the matter and hold at least two meetings on the issue, and invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to testify.