Evidence of meeting #132 for National Defence in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was russian.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Executive Director, International Security Policy and Strategic Affairs Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
At the moment, I'm not aware. It's not within my purview, but I'm not aware of Canada considering sending anybody to the TPNW meeting in March.
NDP
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Other NATO allies like Germany or Belgium are participating in that conference. What's the reasoning behind our lack of participation?
Executive Director, International Security Policy and Strategic Affairs Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Again, this is not within my purview, but I'm not aware of anybody planning to attend at the moment.
NDP
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Wouldn't it be prudent, considering the rising risk that we're seeing—I think the clock is set at 90 seconds in terms of that potential full destruction—for us to take a role in the way that a medium power, a soft power, could do in that move towards nuclear disarmament?
Executive Director, International Security Policy and Strategic Affairs Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Again, I'm not aware of thinking around Canadian participation at the TPNW meeting at this moment.
NDP
Lindsay Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
One of the concerns I have in terms of our procurement is that while we aren't a nuclear power, we certainly are procuring newer equipment that has potential nuclear capacity, like the F-35s.
Could you comment on Canada's view on that?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
It's an interesting question. You have two seconds to answer it, and I think it's probably not wise to try.
I'm going to go to Mr. Bezan for five minutes.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I want to thank our witnesses and thank General Smith and General Ritchie for your service to Canada, and Mr. Laporte for always bringing your expertise.
You mentioned that there is probably a technology transfer happening between Russia and North Korea. What technology transfer do you think that is, beyond enriched uranium?
MGen Gregory Smith
Mr. Chair, I'll start, and maybe some of my colleagues want to help.
I don't know anything about enriched uranium transfers from Russia to the DPRK. North Korea has had a nuclear program for decades. We may be looking at delivery systems, missiles and other capabilities like that. Russia is ahead of the DPRK, and they may be transferring those types of technologies.
MGen Robert Ritchie
What I am tracking is missiles, perhaps air defence interceptors, fuel and money. I am personally not aware of submarines. There may be some discussion around fighter aircraft, but we have nothing conclusive.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
North Korea already committed 12,000 troops, plus munitions and rocket launch systems, to Russia for the war in Ukraine. There are rumours that those numbers of 12,000 may be increased.
Is there any intelligence to suggest that it is going up beyond the 12,000 troops?
MGen Robert Ritchie
I have no conclusive information on that. We continue to actively watch that in partnership with allies.
It's difficult to see when North Korean troops may enter the east side of Ukraine. It's much easier as they are moving towards the front to discern how they're getting equipped with clothing, weapons and equipment, and then moving and integrating, but at this point, it is only 12,000.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Okay.
We talked about Operation Impact in the region. We know that the ring of fire around Israel has been virtually destroyed now, especially with the fall of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Assad regime in Syria.
How is that going to change the posture of Iran in Iraq using Quds Force, the IRGC and the Shia militia units that they are backing in Iraq?
As well, how does that potentially impact Canadian troops that are serving alongside our allies?
MGen Gregory Smith
First of all, I wouldn't characterize it as a fall of either Hezbollah or Hamas. They've both been severely damaged by Israel. These are not my facts, but it has been disclosed that Israel has also heavily damaged the air defence system of Iran itself.
Iraq continues to have Iranian-aligned militia groups, and indeed we have Canadians under NATO Mission Iraq—NMI—in Baghdad. We're paying very close attention to their force protection.
However, more importantly, there is going to be a transfer of responsibilities from Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. mission, to NMI. We could see that being delayed potentially, but for now, they are all very carefully watching the force protection situation.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
In looking at the Iran relationship with Russia and their ability to use Shahed “kamikaze” drones and other rockets and munitions supplied by Iran, with the degradation that has happened because of the war in Gaza and Lebanon, going forward, do we see their ability to supply Russia being depleted as well?
MGen Robert Ritchie
Moscow is indeed providing fighter aircraft, air defence and space technology, and then Tehran is providing Russia with support for the war in Ukraine. That is our understanding of that relationship.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
Okay.
In my last minute here, Mr. Chair, I just want to move the motion that I tabled last week:
That the committee hold three meetings in relation to the defence components of the Arctic foreign policy announced on December 6, 2024, within 14 days of the adoption of this motion, and invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Northern Affairs to appear separately for no less than two hours each with their departmental officials.
Liberal
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
I thank the member.
I'm sorry, again, to our witnesses who are here. Thank you for your services.
If possible, I would like to bring an amendment to the motion, and I hope that we can have this understanding quickly. I know it's just being passed, so I'm going to make sure that....
I would like to remove “within 14 days of the adoption of this motion” to include “and invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Northern Affairs to appear separately for no less than one hour with their departmental officials.”
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Okay. Is there any other conversation?
We will first of all deal with the amendment separately.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
It still says “one hour each”. Is that right?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Yes, it's one hour separately. Okay.
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Thank you for your co-operation.
We will endeavour to get that going as quickly as possible.
Ms. Lapointe, you have the final five minutes.