National Defence Committee on Oct. 10th, 2024

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Just to be really clear, it's not my job to start drawing red lines for other countries. Canada states its position very clearly that we believe very strongly in and support the international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict. That very clearly prohibits attacks on nuclear facilities. We've made that position very clear for exactly the purposes that you outline.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

If this—

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

We were very concerned with Russia's attack in the Zaporizhzhia region because of the nuclear facility there—

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Canada would take no action if this were to occur...?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

—and again, it has not yet happened. I think the appropriate course of action right now is for Canada to articulate its position in support of international law.

[Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

There are thousands of Canadians still in Lebanon. I know that we've spoken about potential evacuation, but the problem is that so many people are unable to get to the airport themselves. I know of families who have tried to cross the border to Syria who have not been able to. What's the support that Canada will provide—through military forces, I suppose— to help those people? It's simply not safe on the roads that are either leading to the airport or leading to other places of safety.

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Global Affairs Canada has reached out, and right now—I don't have the precise numbers—just under 6,000 people have actually registered with Global Affairs Canada seeking information about assisted departure. The airport is still operating and is still accessible. That's the evaluation on the ground: that it's still accessible.

About 60 to 70 commercial flights are flying out of the Beirut airport every single day. Additionally, our country and a number of our allies have been arranging booked seats on some of those planes. The uptake right now among Canadians who are inquiring about departing Lebanon is a little less than...it's about 30% of the seats that we have made available that people have actually taken. They are not reporting to us that they're not taking them because they can't get to the airport, and we are prepared to provide assistance if that is required, but that hasn't been asked for at this point in time.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

That completes our six-minute round.

Mr. Bezan, you have five minutes.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Thank you, Chair.

Minister, do you agree that foreign interference is a national security threat attacking our democratic institutions, including the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Department of National Defence is not immune to foreign interference?

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I agree. In fact, I sent you a letter in December of 2020 outlining that exact point.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I appreciate that.

Now, your former chief of staff kept the CSIS warrant off your desk for 54 days because it was politically sensitive to the Liberal Party—

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

That's out of order, Mr. Bezan.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

It's national security—

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

That has not anything to to do with his mandate. That is out of order.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I'd like to come back on this one.

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

It is out of order.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Minister, as a current—

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

It also contradicts the sworn testimony that the hearing heard yesterday, and his statement is completely false.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Well, what she actually said, since he answered the question—

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

Well—

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

He addressed it. I should be allowed to—

[The Chair, Liberal, John McKay]

It's either out of order or it's not out of order. I have to say that once there is a response it gets to be part of the conversation.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

So—

[Bill Blair, Liberal, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

Fair enough: If he's going to make a video it might as well have a little bit of truth in it.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!