Evidence of meeting #93 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 need.
A recording is available from Parliament.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Thank you.
Minister, are there negotiations happening right now between Canada and Turkey regarding the potential lifting of the arms embargo on Turkey?
6 p.m.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
We've already lifted the arms embargo, so there's no negotiation.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Okay.
Are you concerned about the implications of that, the risk of diversion, etc.?
6 p.m.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
We believe that there should not be any form of lifting of arms exports between NATO allies. Turkey is a NATO ally. We've had some tough conversations, particularly following the pause on our arms exports to Turkey. I've had very strong and direct conversations with my counterpart from Turkey about Armenia in particular, and—
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I'm sorry, Minister. I just want to jump in and put a fine point on it—
6 p.m.
Conservative
6 p.m.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
I just want to finish my sentence. I'll let you have your time.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
I'll give it back to you, Minister, but what—
6 p.m.
Liberal
6 p.m.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
In the context of the arms lifting, we've had these negotiations. We've had tough conversations about international security and regional security. If there's any problem in terms of regional security and if there are any facts that would be presented to me that would cause regional security and international security to be at risk, we would be pausing again.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Minister, I'm going to move on to other topics, but we do know that it was Canadian arms that played a decisive role in the outcome of the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, arms that were diverted.
I want to ask you about Iran. We don't have diplomatic relations with Iran, but we know that the IRGC, because it is not a listed terrorist organization, is able to operate here in Canada to recruit, fundraise, promote, etc. Do you believe that the IRGC is a terrorist organization, and why hasn't your government shut down its operations in Canada?
6 p.m.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
First and foremost, when it comes to Iran, I'm must say that we're all very supportive and moved by the courage of the Iranian people, particularly the women and girls. We've been.... I've said it before, and you know this, Garnett, but I think it's important for Canadians watching us to know that Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism under the Criminal Code. We have some of the strongest measures against them. We've sanctioned many of the Iranian regimes and IRGC members themselves. We also host and chair every year the UN resolution on Iran.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
You know that my time is very tight.
The IRGC terrorist listing—
6 p.m.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
I must say that the Prime Minister mentioned recently that we are looking at ways to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
What are the impediments? Why not just do it?
6 p.m.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
It's because we're a government that makes decisions that are thoughtful. We are undergoing an international security crisis right now, so when we make decisions, we know that there can be consequences. That is why we—
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
However, Iran is at the heart of that security crisis—isn't that right?
6 p.m.
Conservative
Garnett Genuis Conservative Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB
It's been six years since you voted in the House to list—
