Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I wanted to speak to the motion brought forward by my colleague. I am very interested in the discussion that we're having. As I'm sure he is well aware, the situation in Ukraine is something that I care about very deeply.
However, we heard testimony on various occasions that was very specific to the turbine issue, including with respect to where this turbine currently is and what it is being used for. I was unable to pull up the exact transcript, but I am sure that the clerk and analysts can help us with the testimony that we heard from witnesses, who told us that the turbine is essentially sitting in a room, serving no purpose to anyone, including Russia.
What I know is that we need to continue to move forward to support the Ukrainians in ending end this war. Huge advances have been made as recently as a few hours ago. Again, today we announced an additional $500 million in support of the Ukrainian war effort and the fight for democracy and freedom.
What I find a bit troubling.... Of course, I understand the position of my colleagues, but I would like to put on the record that the only time members of Parliament have ever voted to weaken the sanctions regime imposed on Russia by our country was when Conservative members put forward a motion on the opposition day of June 7, at the very height of the war. They requested that our government eliminate tariffs on fertilizer. At that point, all four members of the Conservative Party who sit on this committee voted in favour of that motion. It is a motion I found then and still find today extremely problematic.
That would be an important waiver of our sanctions regime. It would effectively mean that the Conservative position on sanctions against Russia is that we should weaken them, not strengthen them. I find it important to mention that today as my colleagues attempt to take the high road on sanctions following their vote on June 7 which, again, was at the height of the war.
Mr. Chair, I understand that my colleague will speak again, so perhaps I can respond to what he says at a later time during this discussion. That's all I wanted to say for the moment.