Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

I'm saying there's leeway for the first question.

Please, if you want to test the chair's ability to cut you off, I'm happy to play that game.

Thank you.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

I am a lawyer, and I believe in the law. These amendments are about economic security. This doesn't mean we're not addressing issues relating to human rights and international law.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Thank you. You've answered my question.

Now that the Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that, in fact, your government trampled on those rights here at home, I want to give you the opportunity to see whether you'd like to change your opinion—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

I'm sorry, but I have to cut you off.

I'm going to suspend the meeting. Let's suspend the meeting for five minutes so that we can get back in order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

I'd like to resume the meeting with another reminder to all members that the motion that was passed and which triggered this meeting was for this committee to focus on the subject matter of clauses 460 to 462, division 27 of Bill C-15, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.

As I said in my previous comments, I'm happy to provide a bit of leeway for members to get to their questions and build their arguments, but it has to be within the proposed amendments to the Export and Import Permits Act, which is division 27 of Bill C-15.

We will resume the line of questioning for the minister by MP Mantle.

You have four minutes.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Minister, under both the Special Economic Measures Act and the Export and Import Permits Act, Canada has extensive sanctions and export controls on goods that would find their destination in Russia. Is that correct?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

We have a comprehensive EIPA, as your question suggests. That's correct.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

How many prosecutions have been undertaken with respect to violations of that sanctions regime under either the SEMA or the EIPA, with respect to Russia?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

I will ask my officials to respond with the data. Thank you.

[Robert Brookfield]

There's one case that I'm aware of, the Trofimov case, in which the RCMP laid charges against an individual for allegedly transferring drone parts, I believe it was, to Russia.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

That's one case. We have a comprehensive regime targeting Russia, and, in so many years of the war, we've had one case.

You said that we have a comprehensive regime and that you need to make this change to make it even stronger. Why should we believe that anything will change, even in making this amendment, when you're not prosecuting or enforcing the law as it is today?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

With respect, the responsibility rests with the RCMP to conduct investigations and to make a determination as to whether a prospective violation has occurred. What I am here to defend today is the need for us to have an additional legislative tool relating to economic security.

I raise that point and also raise the point that you—

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Thank you, Minister. You answered my question. You take no responsibility for the enforcement of Canada's sanctions against Russia's war machine. I hear you on that.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

That is not at all what the minister just said.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

She can make her comments and I will make mine.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

I agree with my honourable colleague that you are misrepresenting my comments. I would ask you, with respect, as I am speaking truthfully, to not misinterpret and misrepresent what I am saying.

Thank you.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

What other evidence do you have that you've been doing what you say?

There's one prosecution. If there are more or there's other evidence you can provide to the committee, feel free to provide it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

I would suggest that the minister, despite—

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

I think the minister is capable of answering. She doesn't need your help.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

I'm not helping anyone. I am the chair of the committee and I would ask you to please—

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

Mr. Chair, I'm happy to respond with the information that I have.

I was correct in my point that it is the RCMP that responds to violations of the sanctions regime. We've been clear that Russia must pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

We introduced the sanctions-based private asset seizure and forfeiture regime in 2022. These authorities have been used: in December 2022 to restrain $26 million U.S. believed to be owned or controlled by Roman Abramovich; and in June 2023 to seize an Antonov aircraft grounded at Pearson airport and believed to be owned or controlled by Volga-Dnepr airlines.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

Thank you, Minister. I just have 25 seconds left, so I want to get one more question in.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

That's some evidence of what I'm doing.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

He wanted examples, and now that he's getting examples he's not happy. He has to pick a lane at some point, Chair.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

That plane sits on the tarmac as we sit here today.