All those opposed will please say nay.
House of Commons Hansard #56 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was debate.
House of Commons Hansard #56 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was debate.
Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedStatements by Member for Mississauga—Streetsville—Reference to Standing CommitteeRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedStatements by Member for Mississauga—Streetsville—Reference to Standing CommitteeRoutine Proceedings
Some hon. members
Nay.
Motion That Debate Be Not Further AdjournedStatements by Member for Mississauga—Streetsville—Reference to Standing CommitteeRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin
In my opinion the yeas have it.
And five or more members having risen:
Call in the members.
Statements by Member for Mississauga—Streetsville—Reference to Standing CommitteeRoutine Proceedings
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to stand here today to talk about one of my constituents, Evelyn Stall. Evelyn has been a very active volunteer in Medicine Hat and elsewhere for over 80 years. At 95 years young, Evelyn is as active as ever in voluntary activities. Here are just a few examples of her dedication.
In the past, Evelyn has served as a volunteer on the City of Medicine Hat Transit Advisory Board, the Medicine Hat Police Service Restorative Justice study committee, the Volunteers in Action Association, the Needs of the Elderly Planning Committee, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Canadian Mental Health Association and City of Medicine Hat Senior Services.
This past year, her monthly project sees that retirees come together for special luncheons she organizes. One was “Italy”, another “Hawaii”. Stories about these places were shared as well as stories about “What is love”. I can say that Hatters love Evelyn.
Evelyn continues to be an inspiration to us all. Her contributions over the past several decades have been noted and will now be in the official record of the House. I wish Evelyn the best in the future.
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Mr. Speaker, we are all united in our desire for peace and stability in Ukraine, and we will stand with all those who reject the use of armed forces to resolve differences.
It is wrong to use military means to achieve what you cannot through the ballot box or through non-violent protests. The actions of the government of the Russian Federation are being condemned around the world.
[Member spoke in Ukrainian and provided the following translation:]
The Russian people are also crying out for peace. We see demonstrations against this action. I call on the Russian people to use their voices to urge their government to change direction and walk towards peace.
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, Russia's invasion of Crimea violates global peace and security. Putin's effort to destabilize Ukraine is reprehensible. Putin cannot be trusted, and his word is worthless.
Russia fails to meet civilized standards of behaviour and must be held accountable. As our Prime Minister said, “President Putin's actions [could well] put his country on a course of diplomatic and economic isolation that could see Russia exit the G8 entirely”. Putin uses the old Soviet playbook, the same fabrications, the same agent provocateurs, and other Soviet techniques to violate sovereign nations. My parents witnessed this in Poland in 1939, yet in 2014, history is tragically repeating itself.
Canada's position has been clear: the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be respected. Days ago, I was in Ukraine meeting with its transitional government and protestors, who sacrificed their blood on the Maidan so that they can seek their own destiny. They ousted Viktor Yanukovych, who killed, kidnapped, tortured his own people, and stole Ukraine's treasury.
Canada stands with the people and the government of Ukraine today and tomorrow.
Slava Ukraini.
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Mr. Speaker, a little more than 10 years ago, the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, or CAPA, was formed. In its first decade, CAPA constructively engaged with fellow African parliamentarians to help them entrench democratic principles and to share best practices in our dual roles of overseeing government and legislating.
Over the course of that first decade, the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association built a good reputation among our Canadian and African colleagues, among African ambassadors to Canada and Canadian ambassadors to Africa, at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, as well as among NGOs operating in Africa.
On behalf of my colleagues in the House and the Senate, I express our gratitude for having had the opportunity of getting to know this vast, diverse, and complex continent and its 54 countries. I also wish to express CAPA's strong desire to continue to strengthen our relationships with our fellow African parliamentarians in the coming years.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I just had occasion to talk with the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada and share with him the fact that our party stands with Ukraine and Ukrainians in these troubling times.
We have just learned that the Russian defence ministry is boasting of having tested an intercontinental missile. Can the Prime Minister please update the House on these troubling events?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, we stand, obviously, with the people of Ukraine and with our allies at this very difficult and troubling time. There have been ongoing discussions, as you can imagine, between leaders and between foreign ministers on the subject of Ukraine. We appreciate greatly the open and shared discussions that have taken place between Canadian leaders on the same subject matter.
Again we reiterate that we are very much with the people of Ukraine at this difficult time. We know that the military intervention remains a top priority within these discussions and we call upon the Russian leader to withdraw troops and respect Ukraine's sovereign territory.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, can the government tell us if it accepts Vladimir Putin's explanation that the troops deployed in Crimea are not Russian troops?
Peter MacKay ConservativeMinister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the army currently on Ukrainian soil is from Russia. That is obvious. Therefore we must stand united in this situation.
There is a very concerned, troubled people in Ukraine right now, given the presence on the ground of what appears to be a very aggressive Russian army.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, what messages have been sent by the Canadian government to Putin?
John Baird ConservativeMinister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Speaker, we have been speaking in no uncertain terms directly to the leadership in Russia that the activities we have seen in Crimea are absolutely unacceptable. We have démarched, at the highest level, the Russian ambassador to lay down in no uncertain terms that the rhetoric that has been used by the Russian president is in no way factual and is in no way a justification for a Soviet-style military invasion in the 21st century.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I will again ask the Prime Minister to comment on the most recent events and the fact that the Russian ministry of defence is boasting about having tested an intercontinental missile.
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I apologize to the Leader of the Opposition. I thought question period started a little later.
We continue to regard the situation in Ukraine with the utmost concern, and we continue to examine our bilateral relations with President Putin and his government.
This morning, I ordered that all bilateral activities between the Canadian Armed Forces and the Russian Federation's military forces be suspended effective immediately.
Obviously, we view all of these military activities of the Russian Federation and of President Putin with the gravest of concern. Operation Vigilant Eagle and all other planned activities are being suspended.
Thomas Mulcair NDPLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, our participation in the G8 summit in Sochi has of course been cancelled, and we agree with that. The question for the Prime Minister is this: given the potential effect on the world economy, is he planning on talking with our allies to hold a G7 meeting?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, just to be clear, all of our G7 partners have suspended their preparations for the G8 summit in Sochi. It is my view that all of these actions, including the suspension of G8 summit preparations, should remain in effect until such time as President Putin's government leaves all occupied sovereign Ukrainian territory.
In terms of a G7 meeting, I spoke to President Obama on that matter on the weekend. I have suggested that, and I know there are discussions among G7 sherpas about the possibility of a G7 meeting in the upcoming weeks.
Ralph Goodale Liberal Wascana, SK
Mr. Speaker, all Canadians are obviously deeply concerned about the situation unfolding in Ukraine, and we stand in absolute solidarity with the Ukrainian people at this very difficult hour.
I wonder if the Prime Minister could advise the House of the present status of the Canadian embassy in Kiev. Some time ago that embassy was closed, and I wonder about the present operations of the embassy in Kiev. It may be useful for Canada to have some diplomatic facilities and tools at its disposal.
What is the government's plan with respect to the embassy and our ambassador?
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the hon. member and the support of all parties for the government's actions.
He will know that the Canadian embassy in Kiev has been closed. It has been closed because, obviously, it was near to and became connected with some of the unfortunate protests and violent activities that were occurring in the city some time ago. It will be not reopened, obviously, until such time as we believe it is safe for Canadian personnel.
In the meantime, we are looking for every avenue through which we can continue to maintain our relationships with the Government of Ukraine, as I discussed yesterday with the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
Ralph Goodale Liberal Wascana, SK
Mr. Speaker, the government also withdrew the Canadian ambassador from Moscow to have consultations. That is a move that was supported by members of this House yesterday in a resolution.
I wonder if the Prime Minister would indicate his present plans with respect to our embassy in Moscow, and what instructions, at least to this present time, he has been able to give to the Canadian ambassador.
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs informs me that the ambassador has just arrived and will be meeting with him later today, but let me be absolutely clear in terms of what we have said about this.
Under the current situation, all of our economic and diplomatic bilateral relationships with Russia are under examination and will continue to be under examination. Working in concert with our allies, we will continue to search for ways to apply ongoing pressure and isolation to the Putin regime until such time as Russia reverses its course of action.
Ralph Goodale Liberal Wascana, SK
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the People's Republic of China made an interesting statement indicating that it too supported the independence, the sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
I wonder if the Prime Minister would indicate whether the government has been able to communicate with the Government of China, or any other country in the Asian sphere, to help reinforce that very vital message of what the world expects here, and that is the independence, the sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Stephen Harper ConservativePrime Minister
Mr. Speaker, we are working with our allies and other countries all around the world to make sure that the position of Canada and our G7 partners is firmly understood.
Just to reiterate, what has occurred, as we know, has been the decision of a major power to effectively invade and occupy a neighbouring country, based upon some kind of extraterritorial claim of jurisdiction over ethnic minorities. We have not seen this kind of behaviour since the Second World War. This is clearly unacceptable.
It is our view that the world community, as it reflects upon these actions, will isolate Russia as a consequence.
