Foreign Affairs Committee on Oct. 30th, 2025

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

As I said, I invite my honourable colleague to review the readout of my meeting with my counterpart.

In particular, I will say that we discussed several issues of a diplomatic nature. At all times in all meetings, I raise issues relating to public safety and security for the Canadian public. In my UN speech on September 29 in New York, I specifically outlined the three pillars of our foreign policy, the first of which is the protection of the security and defence of the Canadian public. I want to reiterate that at all times in my conversations, bilaterally and multilaterally, I never shy away from raising these important issues.

My point about my colleague, Minister Anandasangaree, is that here in Canada, the public safety and security of Canadians are under his purview.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

I'll go back to the question, Minister.

With all due respect, you represent Canada and the interests of Canada. That is our job and your job, but again, the question is very specific, and your diplomatic answers to us are not going to serve the committee. We have a study, and we would like to know if you had any specific conversation with your Chinese counterpart about their police stations in Canada.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

I have provided two answers, and I will now provide a third.

We have been clear at all levels that the issues raised by my colleague will not be tolerated. We are very committed to ensuring that we have a comprehensive relationship so that we can raise issues relating to the broader relationship.

That's diplomacy. Diplomacy is not walking away from tough issues. Diplomacy is being able to have a conversation about Canadian interests, Canadian values and Canadian goals and objectives. That's what our diplomacy seeks to do.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Canadians deserve clear answers, and this is the place for it.

I agree that you're going to use your tactics and diplomacy to work with your counterparts around the world, but the committee and Canadians are watching. They deserve an answer. I'm expecting an answer from you because I think my question is very clear.

Have you had a specific conversation about the police stations in Canada with a Chinese counterpart, yes or no?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Give a very brief response, Minister.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

I don't know how many times I have to say it, but the safety and security of Canadians is a crucial part of our mandate and is incredibly important to our government.

I stress the importance of public safety at each and every meeting.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you.

Next we'll go to MP Marie-France Lalonde.

You may go ahead for five minutes.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It's a real pleasure to have you here, Minister.

You talked in your opening remarks about the emerging geopolitical dynamics around the world, and I would like to focus my questions on the Arctic in particular.

You've taken significant steps to affirm Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic, as you mentioned, from the appointment of the Arctic ambassador to the signing of a new partnership with Finland. I would like you to expand on how these initiatives could and will advance Canada's strategic environmental and economic interests in the north.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

Thank you.

I will answer in both English and French.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

That would be great.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

First, I didn't get a chance to finish my answer to my honourable colleague's previous question related to women's leadership in all areas, including in peace and security. I just want to tip my hat to you and to my honourable colleague Anita Vandenbeld. You both have done considerable work on women, peace and security. We owe a debt of gratitude to you for your efforts.

I would say this, in answer to your question.

As you know, Canada is an Arctic nation. The current geopolitical situation makes developing our northern infrastructure essential. We are partnering with indigenous peoples to do just that.

Canada's Arctic foreign policy sets out $73 billion over 20 years and resources to strengthen our year-round presence in the Arctic.

For example, we announced the purchase of two new icebreakers and six Arctic offshore patrol ships. We also announced projects to build infrastructure.

For example, there's the over-the-horizon radar system the Prime Minister announced. I know that former minister Blair played a very large part in ensuring it got off the ground.

We named an Arctic ambassador as well, with an office in Iqaluit, and we took steps to open a consulate in Nuuk. I will be travelling to Nuuk, Greenland, in the coming weeks to officially open our consulate there.

This gives you an idea of the seriousness with which we are taking our Arctic foreign policy, which sees a greater footprint in the Arctic.

[Marie-France Lalonde, Liberal, Orléans, ON]

Thank you very much.

In August, you attended the Nordic Five meeting. How is Canada expected to work more closely with all the Nordic countries on Arctic security? I know you mentioned it, but I'd like to hear you talk about the meetings you had and the way that countries in Europe, Baltic states specifically, can benefit.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

That's a good question.

I wanted to delve a little deeper, but I wanted to wait to see if you wanted to ask anything else.

Obviously, the Arctic is an area that affects a number of countries, so what I have been pushing is the viewpoint that NATO, a collective defence organization for the North Atlantic, should focus on the North Atlantic and the Arctic as well as on Europe.

I've had this conversation with my counterparts in the Nordic Five—Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. I've also spoken with Secretary Rubio and the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, about the point that as we see greater threats in the Arctic, we need to utilize multilateral alliances and collective defence to address those issues.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe, you have two and a half minutes.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm looking for an honest answer, Minister.

Given your meetings and discussions, and your mission to China, do you think it's more likely that trade with China will increase or that human rights violations will decrease?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

That is an issue the Prime Minister is currently addressing in the region. In my conversations with my counterpart recently, I took steps to recalibrate the relationship so that Canada can have a conversation—

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Minister, I asked a short question, and I expected a short answer. We have to share my speaking time, and you weren't answering the question, even though it was a very simple one.

As you know, many of the goods that come from China are produced using forced labour, child labour. The U.S. passed much tougher legislation on imports produced by forced labour than Canada did. In 2023‑24, your government made commitments to get tough on forced labour, but never managed to bring in significantly stronger legislation. My colleague, the member for Saint‑Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, just introduced Bill C‑251, which basically follows through on the Liberal government's broken promise.

Are you going to support the bill, which shifts the burden of proof from customs authorities to importers, who would have to demonstrate that the merchandise was not made with forced labour? It's more or less a copy of the U.S. law.

Will your government finally follow through on the promise it made and support the Bloc Québécois's bill?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

Thank you for your question.

First, I will say that we are examining the bill, its substance and next steps. I will also say that forced labour is unacceptable, and we need to make sure that our global supply chains are free of such violations. I discussed those issues with my colleagues the Minister of Public Works and Procurement, Mr. Lightbound, and the Minister of International Trade, Mr. Sidhu. We will protect Canada's interests while respecting labour standards for all workers.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you, Minister.

Next we have MP Chong for five minutes.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Minister, as you know, oil and gas are Canada's single-largest exports. I'd like to once again focus on the Prime Minister's comments at ASEAN, where he said that Canada is an “unabashed energy superpower” and that he wants to expedite exports of oil and gas.

As you know, Minister, the Prime Minister has a special responsibility for the conduct of international affairs. I note that in “Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy”, the word “oil” does not appear once, the word “gas” does not appear once, the word “LNG” does not appear once and there's no mention of increasing and expediting the increase of Canada's oil and gas exports.

My question is simple. Will the IPS be updated now that the Prime Minister has set this as a foreign policy priority, or is it dead letter?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

I have asked my department to provide me with an update to the Indo-Pacific strategy, period. I believe the Indo-Pacific strategy needs to be updated, because we have a new government, a new foreign policy and a new Prime Minister.

You rightly point out that there is a need to ensure that our bilateral relationships are raising the issues that matter to this country. The world has changed since the Indo-Pacific strategy was released, and we need to ensure that our foreign policy is responsive to Canada's needs now. That is why the Prime Minister recently announced that Canada is embarking on a new mission, which is to double our non-U.S. exports in the next decade. That is why the LNG exports we have seen from Canada's west coast will continue.

In my travels and in every bilateral conversation, I hear that the world wants more Canada. They want to find out how they can participate in the benefits of Canada's LNG exports and Canada's energy. This is absolutely clear from every conversation I'm in. I will always, in those meetings, connect the energy minister of the country I'm in with our energy minister, Minister Hodgson. That is why the issue of energy and Canada's ability to be an energy superpower figures so centrally in every bilateral conversation I'm in.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Thank you for that answer, and thank you for the information that the Indo-Pacific strategy has been updated.

Could you tell the committee the time frame that we're looking at for an updated Indo-Pacific strategy?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

I have asked the department to come forward with it as soon as possible.

Perhaps I could ask my deputy minister to provide us with some information related to timing.

[David Morrison, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development]

My marching orders were for it to be as soon as possible, so it will be as soon as possible.

I would say, though, that strategies are not straitjackets. As the minister has said, the world now is very different than it was in 2022, when the strategy was released. We are not waiting, as recent events have shown, to take initiatives that are no longer completely in keeping with what we wrote in 2022.

I think that's why you've seen Minister Anand on the road and why you're seeing some of the things the Prime Minister is saying and doing.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills North, ON]

Thank you. I'll just finish with a comment.

We've long felt that Canada needs to increase its conventional energy exports, particularly liquefied natural gas. It would be good to see Canadian liquefied natural gas displace Qatari and Russian natural gas, particularly with partners in the Indo-Pacific, such as Japan, and with allies like Germany and other European allies.

I hope the government is going to deliver on this increase to expedite these exports. We believe that it's imperative, not just for our economy, but equally for our defence and security—both for Euro-Atlantic defence and security and for Indo-Pacific defence and security.