Evidence of meeting #63 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was icc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for being here.
Minister, the Prime Minister was quoted in the media as saying that Canada would never ever meet its 2% commitment in regard to our spending for military aid. Are you finding that those types of comments are having an impact on our ability to be involved in groups like AUKUS and Quad? Is that why we're being left out of so many multilateral meetings and why we're not invited to the table?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
Thank you, MP Hoback.
First and foremost, I think it's clear that we've invested more than ever in our Canadian Armed Forces—
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
—but more needs to be done. I think there's clearly that recognition on the part of the government, and that is why my colleague, the Minister of Defence, is undertaking a very important defence policy review. I will be supporting her in that work.
At the same time, I've had numerous conversations with Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, who was here in Canada last summer and we all went to the Arctic together, as well as with my Ukrainian friends and counterparts. I think that when you look at how much Canada is supporting Ukraine right now, we are the country that, per capita, supports Ukraine the most. I think we can all be proud of the work we're doing.
At the same time, while we are investing a lot in Europe, I think it is important to make sure that we look at the Pacific as well. That's why, in the Indo-Pacific strategy, there was a commitment of $500 million more in defence, particularly in having one more frigate. At this point, after the U.S. and France, we have the most frigates in the Indo-Pacific.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
What is the issue, then? Why are we not being involved in these types of conversations? Why are we always on the outside looking in?
The latest example is that the U.S. and Europe are in negotiations on aluminum and steel tariffs and a carbon border adjustment mechanism. Why are we not part of those discussions? Why are we sitting on the outside waiting for their results?
Liberal
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
—especially when it comes to AUKUS. We've had many conversations about this very issue and the next steps of AUKUS, particularly when it comes to cyber and technology. I think it's important. We are not in the business of nuclear subs, so that's why we're not part of the first AUKUS deal, but at the same time, as we really put money where our mouth is—
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
I don't mean to be rude, but I only have about a minute left—
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
—in the context of the Indo-Pacific, I think that now our partners and allies in the region see us as a reliable partner.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Do they really see us as a reliable partner?
I know you've been going around the world and talking about critical minerals and how Canada can contribute to the next generation of vehicles, but I'm getting calls and push-back saying, “Prove to me that you can get them out of the ground. Prove to me that you can get them to market. Prove to me that you can go through the processes here in Canada to actually meet the commitments that you're selling around the world.”
What kind of confidence do you have in that?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
I think my confidence is extremely high regarding that, particularly with Japan and Korea. When you look at President Yoon, the President of South Korea, his first bilateral visit in the world was to Canada.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
There's no question they want it. It's just the confidence—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Mr. Hoback, I'm afraid you're out of time.
We'll next go to MP Sorbara.
You have three minutes, MP Sorbara.
Liberal
Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome, Minister.
I'll be splitting my time with Parliamentary Secretary Bendayan.
The Arctic is obviously of utmost importance—northern Canada, this beautiful country. It's important for many reasons—militarily, economically and security-wise. There was an agreement signed with regard to Hans Island. Could you touch upon that and how that fits within our Arctic strategy?
Thank you, Minister.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
Well, the Arctic is extremely important for us. It is the high north, but we want to make sure it remains a low-tension region. That is why we want to make sure we abide by the international rules-based order and find a diplomatic solution. That's exactly what we did with Denmark and Greenland last June by settling a 50-year-old “Whisky War” between our nations. We were able to settle on a diplomatic solution. Also, we now have the longest maritime border with another country in the world.
It took 50 years. I think you just had to wait for the right foreign minister.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
I'm just joking. I would like to thank my great diplomatic colleagues, who have done the work for so many years.
Meanwhile, I must add that I've been particularly engaging the five Nordic countries. My colleague from Norway was here a month and a half ago, engaging the U.S. as the U.S. presented its updated Arctic strategy.
Also, to go back to what Randy was asking me regarding Japan, Korea, etc., we know we have NATO to the east and NORAD for the great north. However, we need to make sure we protect the western gate of the Arctic. That's why our relationship with Japan and Korea is extremely important, and that's why I'm putting a lot of energy into that relationship. I will be going to South Korea and Japan in the coming days.
Liberal
Francesco Sorbara Liberal Vaughan—Woodbridge, ON
I'd like to split my time with the parliamentary secretary.
Thank you.
Liberal
Rachel Bendayan Liberal Outremont, QC
Thank you.
Just to pick up on a question that was asked earlier regarding Israel, the NDP is proposing the imposition of sanctions and boycotts on certain exports and imports of Israeli products. You mentioned that you're speaking to the Jewish community here in Canada.
How would you say that would impact our relations with Israel, and how would it be received by the Jewish community here?
Liberal