House of Commons Hansard #207 of the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was c-51.

Topics

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

NDP

Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON

Mr. Chair, I really appreciate the member taking the time to share a poem with us. It is not something we see in the House often, so I thank him very much.

The member will agree that Canadians always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Iran in their aspirations for freedom, peace, democracy, and the rule of just law, and it is something we stand for, whether it is in Iran or anywhere else. That is the type of people we are. We will continue to stand with them and speak out when their voices are unfairly silenced.

New Democrats believe that Canada has an important diplomatic role to play in bringing Iran back into the mainstream international community. That being said, I am in agreement that in the House there was all-party recognition of Iran's human rights abuses and other issues that require long-term diplomatic solutions by the international community. However, what bothers us is that, rather than strengthening our diplomatic presence, we have seen the government actually cutting resources.

I am wondering how the member thinks we can address long-term challenges such as this one without necessary resources. Maybe he can explain to us what the government is prepared to do to try to help in situations such as this. We know that we have great organizations on the ground, which are trying to address the human rights issue and trying to guide us while this is happening, but maybe he can talk about that. He can also talk about the verification process that needs to happen and what the government is going to do about the verification process when it comes to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

Conservative

John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Mr. Chair, the questions raised by my colleague are very intelligent ones, and I thank her for them.

I believe that the answer lies partly in the role of Canadians of Iranian background here in Canada who can educate us concerning the best things we can do. There are people like Davood Ghavami, the head of the Iranian Canadian Congress, and Nassreen Filsoof, of the Canadian Iranian Foundation, who do their best to bring about a level of understanding here.

When the government appointed me the first-ever government liaison to the Canadian Iranian community, I anticipated that I would play three roles. First, I would be a voice for people of Iranian background here in Ottawa. Second, I would help communicate to that community what our government is trying to achieve. Third, and perhaps most ironic, given that I am not of Iranian background, I would promote the Persian culture here, or at least help people of Iranian background do that here in Canada. It has been an honour to do that for the past six years.

I believe that part of the answer also lies in the diplomatic relations between the countries. This is obviously a matter of great sensitivity, as there are no embassies between our two governments. However, I call this day upon the government of Iran to appoint a protector in Canada, not a protector in the United States, because the people of Iranian background who need diplomatic services could benefit from that. That would be something the Iranian government could do.

Finally, I would like to say, and I believe I share this with every member in the chamber, that we know there will be a day when there will be a Persian spring, when Nowruz will come, the freeze will melt away, and Iran will become the bulwark of democracy in the Middle East. We must do everything we can to bring that day about and bring it about soon.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:40 p.m.

NDP

Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Chair, I would like to ask my hon. colleague a question about the journalists who have been imprisoned in Iran and the ongoing human rights violations. I am wondering if he is aware of the efforts being made by the Canadian government to advance human rights, as he is a representative of the government. What is Canada doing to bring out the more than 200 journalists who continue to be imprisoned in Iran, especially on the heels of World Press Freedom Day? It is important to talk about the freedom of journalists.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:45 p.m.

Conservative

John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Mr. Chair, it is both serendipitous and ironic that it was just World Press Freedom Day and so many journalists are imprisoned in Iran, such as bloggers and people who merely desire to express their views in a free way.

The Government of Canada has been consistent, and in fact has led in the General Assembly of the United Nations year after year, in calling for Iran to change direction and pull away from its oppression. We are known around the world for our leadership on this. We all wish there was more we could do.

We are supporting the program run out of the Munk School whereby we send messages to the people in Iran to encourage them and give them some sense of what is really going on in the world and to make sure that people who desire freedom know that they have friends in other parts of the world.

We are also doing our best to support people of Iranian background here in Canada who desire freedom everywhere in the world. They are ultimately leaders here in Canada who can raise us up to a level of freedom not only in Iran but everywhere else. They know what oppression is like. They appreciate their freedom, and I am so honoured to call many of them my friends.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:45 p.m.

Selkirk—Interlake Manitoba

Conservative

James Bezan ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence

Mr. Chair, I want to thank my colleague from West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country for his continued advocacy on behalf of Iranians in Iran, those who have been politically imprisoned. I know that he has a great love for the Persian culture. He often brings greetings during Nowruz, the Persian new year. I also know that he is quite concerned about the human rights conditions and the destabilizing role Iran plays in the Middle East and around the world.

I would like to hear his point of view on how he sees the hopeful discussions of the P5+1 in making sure that Iran does not achieve its nuclear ambitions. More importantly, could he talk about some of the commentary coming out of Tehran in the media that both President Rouhani and the negotiators from Iran who are in the P5+1 essentially told the press there and the entire community that they have not signed anything, nor do they plan on bringing down more than 5% of the centrifuges they have online today.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:45 p.m.

Conservative

John Weston Conservative West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC

Mr. Chair, it has been said that there are many paths up a mountain. There are many leaders and advocates in this House who promote freedom for the people of Iran, and I thank my colleague for that question, because he is certainly one of them.

I would first like to mention that it was a historic day when our Prime Minister attended a Nowruz event this past year, the first time ever that a Canadian Prime Minister has formally attended the great celebration of the Iranian spring, a strong statement by our government, on behalf of all Canadians, that we stand with Canadians of Iranian background and that we certainly stand against the oppression in Iran.

Concerning the discussions that are going on that deal with stopping Iran from expanding its nuclear capacity, I can only hope that the P5+1 governments have the guts to sign a good agreement, but even more that they have the guts to not sign a bad agreement. We have an international community to hope for restraint, to know that there will be inspections, and to know that the government that has flouted United Nations conventions on inspections concerning their nuclear program will adhere to those before any long-lasting agreement is signed.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:45 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Scarborough—Rouge River.

As the representative of a large diasporic Iranian community in my riding of New Westminster—Coquitlam and also Port Moody, I have had the opportunity to discuss Iranian human rights abuses with residents, such as Ali Pahlavanlu and Fred Soofi, as well as the Tri-City Iranian Cultural Society. I am therefore quite pleased to rise in the House to participate in tonight's take note debate regarding Iran Accountability Week.

As we know, the Iranian regime record on human rights has been utterly deplorable. The international community and international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned widespread violations of political, economic and social rights in Iran. Violations include deprivation of the freedoms of religion, expression, assembly and democratic participation. As well, there is political imprisonment and torture. Women face substantial and systemic discrimination. Homosexuality is punishable by flogging and execution. Journalists and bloggers are often targeted for arbitrary arrests. Baha‘i leaders and observers have been persecuted and imprisoned.

For instance, in January 2013, 11 journalists were arrested on the accusation of co-operating with foreign media organizations in a targeted clampdown against the BBC and Voice of America. This followed the January 2010 execution of two men, arrested solely for exercising their right to peacefully protest during the period of unrest that followed the disputed presidential election in June 2009.

These two stories are not unique. Tragically, the arrest and execution of political dissidents is all too common in today's Iran. Ahmed Shaheed, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, issued two reports last year that found “an apparent increase in the degree of seriousness of human rights violations”, and expressed alarm at the “rate of executions in the country, especially for crimes that do not meet serious crimes standards”. He found “no sign of improvement” on rights issues previously raised by UN monitoring mechanisms.

Canadians expect their government to do the hard diplomatic work and international engagement needed to advance accountability and human rights in Iran and around the world. Canada's New Democrats believe that our great country has an important diplomatic role to play in bringing Iran back into the mainstream international community, and to continue advancing the notion of a role that a Canadian diplomatic presence would have on that regime.

This sentiment was shared by former Canadian ambassador to Iran, Ken Taylor, when he stated:

Diplomacy for me is, one way or another, a method to influence an adversary. And to do that you need an exchange, you need to even though you’re not partial to that regime.

We all recognize the need for continued caution in our diplomatic approach, but the Conservatives must do more than just condemn Iran. Denouncing the Iranian regime cannot replace strong diplomacy. Instead, the government should be looking at how Canada can engage responsibly with Iran to encourage more reforms.

As former British foreign secretary William Hague stated:

This agreement shows it is possible to work with Iran, and through diplomacy address intractable problems.

This statement calls into question the Conservatives' decision to sever diplomatic relations with Iran in 2012, given the important diplomatic role that Canada could be playing to strengthen human rights protections and foster democratic change. Despite our strong opposition to the Iranian regime, New Democrats nonetheless believe that Canada must have a seat at the diplomatic table. Without one, our criticism of the Iranian regime is largely rhetoric, lacking the leverage which a strong diplomatic presence would create.

In conclusion, Canada's New Democrats will continue to stand with the people of Iran and speak out when their voices are unfairly silenced in their pursuit of freedom, peace, democracy and fair application of the rule of law. We will also continue pushing the Canadian government to engage diplomatically with the Iranian regime. As such, an engagement could have a tangible impact on altering the most deplorable actions of the regime.

Finally, I would also like to commend the members for Ottawa Centre and Hamilton East—Stoney Creek for their active participation in Iran Accountability Week and their continued efforts on behalf of Canada's New Democrats to raise the issue of these serious human rights violations.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:55 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Chair, the member opposite made reference to Canada pulling its diplomatic corps out of Iran. That was done for the safety and security of our diplomats in Iran. Unlike the New Democrats, we are concerned truly about their safety and security, not just about the union dues that would in turn go toward funding their party.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:55 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Chair, I do not know how I can dignify that comment with a response.

The NDP has a strong concern with many nations around the world, including Iran. I just finished laying out the concerns that we have for the rights infractions. I am sorry, but it is very sincere after consultation with those people in my riding who have explained to me the torture that some of those they know have experienced under that regime.

To say that we are not concerned about how we as a nation are to engage with our partners in a diplomatic way is completely off-track. Also, I cannot believe that the member would make comments about union dues that make no sense and which have no reference to what we are talking about tonight.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:55 p.m.

NDP

Anne-Marie Day NDP Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC

Mr. Chair, as you know, the NDP strongly supports the people of Iran in their efforts to build a greater democracy.

I would like the member to talk about a subject that is of interest to me. Could he tell us more about the balance between democracy, assistance to the public, and obviously, the quest for nuclear disarmament?

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

8:55 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Mr. Chair, absolutely, countries that have democracy get the support of their government in terms of an investment in that democracy in the resources that are needed. We are seeing clearly that this is not happening in Iran. In fact, we are seeing the opposite.

Canada has a role to play in ensuring that kind of democracy is happening around the world. We need a seat at the table to stress to countries such as Iran that have clear human rights infringements, political imprisonments, torture, that this sort of thing is unacceptable on the world stage and must be addressed.

We need to be engaged with regimes that are doing this. Clearly, we must play a role. That is also how we are going to play a role in terms of nuclear disarmament. We need to be engaged with the regimes that are out of step or out of line.

In saying that, it is clearly important that we provide the resources and the funds needed for countries not only like Iran but of course Canada, to engage in that kind of real diplomacy around the world. We need to resource our staff and our embassies in order to obtain the kinds of results that we need around the world. If they are not resourced, we are not going to see the kinds of results that are needed in terms of a diplomatic solution, and then we would get an escalation of violence, which is not the kind of result that is helpful.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9 p.m.

NDP

Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Chair, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the topic of Iran Accountability Week.

Canadians I have spoken with across my entire community of Scarborough—Rouge River and all across Toronto stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Iran in their aspirations for freedom, peace, democracy and the rule of law, and not just rule of law, but the rule of a just law. I know we will continue to stand with them. New Democrats definitely continue to stand with them and speak out when their voices are unfairly silenced.

As for my personal journey, I started off as an 11-year-old child activist against human rights violations that occurred in many parts of the world, starting from the country I was born in, which is Sri Lanka. I was shot at as a child because I was born an ethnic Tamil, so I understand the importance of standing up for a people whose voices are silenced. I made a promise to myself that I would be one of the many voices for the voiceless people in the world.

Today, the people of Iran who want to speak out continue to be oppressed and continue to face censorship with respect to the Internet and the media. I was doing some research and I learned that Iran is actually the seventh most censored country when we talk about Internet access. This is from the website of the CPJ, the Committee to Protect Journalists. We also know that over 200 journalists are currently imprisoned in Iran, which goes to show how much our activists are working. I call journalists activists because they are putting their lives on the line when they are trying to report what is happening in their country. They are trying to get the message out to the world and their lives are at risk for doing this.

It is not just the journalists themselves, but it is also the journalists' relatives who are being put in a position of fear, continued intimidation and threats. To quote from CPJ's website:

In Iran, journalists' relatives have been summoned by authorities and told that they could lose their jobs and pensions because of the journalists' work.

It is not just the people putting themselves in the line of duty by being journalists who are being imprisoned or persecuted and prosecuted, but it is also their family members who just by association are now being threatened with the loss of their employment, their pensions and their livelihoods, just for the work these journalists are doing.

In a country as great as Canada, we need to make sure we are standing up and being that voice for the voiceless around the world.

I want to go through a bit of a timeline of some of the recent events in Iran, focusing specifically on the human rights angle.

In June 2009, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared to have won a resounding victory in the presidential elections. We know that all rival candidates who challenged the results alleged there was vote rigging. At least 30 people were killed and more than 1,000 were arrested in those protests.

In January 2010, Iran executed two men who were arrested during the period of unrest that followed the presidential election.

In July 2010, an Iranian woman was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery, prompting, as we all have heard, an international outcry for support for the woman.

In January 2013, protests happened because 11 journalists were arrested and accused of co-operating with foreign media organizations in a targeted clampdown against the BBC and Voice of America.

Mr. Chair, time is short, but I have so much more to talk about. The violations continue. They include deprivation of the freedoms of religion, expression, assembly and democratic participation. As well there is the political imprisonment of not just journalists, but activists. We know there are also members of parliament who have seen their positions forcibly taken away from them.

I just want to also mention that in July 2014, Parliament dismissed Mr. Reza Faraji-Dana, a pro forma science minister, for supporting students and lecturers who were involved in the 2009-10 protests. It just goes to show that it is not just the average citizen of Iran but all levels who are being persecuted, prosecuted and imprisoned. As a country as great as Canada, we need to do everything we can to stand up and be the voice for the voiceless and continue to fight for human rights in that country.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:05 p.m.

Newmarket—Aurora Ontario

Conservative

Lois Brown ConservativeParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development

Mr. Chair, my colleague got a little off topic or off of her notes when she was talking and I wonder if she would like to use the next minute to give a bit more of her dissertation.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:05 p.m.

NDP

Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Chair, I am thankful to the parliamentary secretary for her mention of a dissertation. I am hopeful that some day I will have the opportunity to do my PhD and do a real dissertation. However, today I am just standing up as a citizen of Canada who is privileged to speak in this House and provide my voice as one of the voices in this country to stand up for defending human rights in Iran.

Perhaps I will continue with what the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights mentioned on the situation in Iran. He issued two reports last year that:

...found an “apparent increase in the degree of seriousness of human rights violations” and expressed alarm at the “rate of executions in the country, especially for crimes that do not meet serious crimes standards.”... “no sign of improvement” on rights issues previously raised by UN monitoring mechanisms.

It just goes to show what the world knows at this point, and we need to ensure that we have the mechanisms in place and that we are doing everything we can to ensure that it is not just words in us saying that Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Iran in fighting for freedom and democracy, but that we are actually making sure our actions show that as well.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:05 p.m.

NDP

Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC

Mr. Chair, my colleague spoke quite a bit about journalists being sent to prison.

My husband was a journalist for a long time and he could not always say what he wanted to say. There is even some repression here in Canada by newspaper owners, but neither he nor his family were ever in danger of being arrested. However, that is what is happening in Iran.

What does my colleague think about the role of freedom of the press in establishing or re-establishing a democracy or keeping democracy alive in a country?

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:05 p.m.

NDP

Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague from Hochelaga for that question, as well as her husband for his years of service as a journalist. When there are bombs and guns, and shells being dropped, we know the imminent danger. Journalists who are writing and telling stories are storytellers who put themselves in situations of danger. We have to tip our hat to them and understand that they are putting themselves in that situation voluntarily in order to be the voice and to share the stories of what is happening on the ground. In that sense, the work that journalists do needs to be valued and elevated to another level. When journalists, scientists and government are silenced, like what is happening in this country, we start to slowly deteriorate the quality of the democracy in that country, and we are seeing it at a much elevated level in Iran.

As my colleague hinted, we are seeing in Canada as well where our journalists, or our scientists in the government, are being muzzled and our journalists are not being allowed to report certain aspects of stories that they do uncover. That should not be the case. It should be a case where our charter rights are recognized and valued. Freedom of expression should be available to all members and all citizens of this country, which includes opposition members of Parliament and every Canadian citizen who wishes to express and stand tonight.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:10 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

We're not talking about climate.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:10 p.m.

Conservative

Lois Brown Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON

Oh, brutal.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:10 p.m.

NDP

Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Chair, I hear Conservative members laughing and making comments, but from looking at the bills that they have put forward, for example, Bill C-51, which openly and overtly attacks my fundamental rights of expression as a Canadian citizen, we can talk about everybody.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:10 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Terrorists.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:10 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC

Basic human rights.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:10 p.m.

NDP

Rathika Sitsabaiesan NDP Scarborough—Rouge River, ON

Mr. Chair, they are yelling “terrorists”, but it is not just terrorists, it is all Canadian citizens whose charter-protected rights are now being violated by the bill the current government is bringing forward, and that is an affront to our democracy.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:10 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to rise and draw attention to the poor state of freedom of religion or belief in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and notably the persecution of its religious minority communities by the Iranian government.

It is with regret that I note the abject failure of the government of Iran to create an environment that is inclusive and respectful of an individual's right to manifest his or her faith freely. It is in fact the state that drives the violations and abuses of Iranians' right to freedom and religion and belief.

Freedom of religion or belief is a universal right. As reflected in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to change religion or belief. It is also a right enshrined in article 23 of Iran's own constitution, which forbids investigation of one's beliefs and harassment based on one's beliefs.

In practice, however, Iran is failing to respect its own domestic and international human rights obligations, including by preventing thousands of its own citizens from freely and openly manifesting their faith. This not only deprives them of their religious freedoms, but is also a central component of their human dignity.

This is especially true for the Baha'is, Christians, as well as Sufi and Sunni Muslims living in Iran. Their persecution remains widespread and acute, often ranging from exclusion from the job market and education to arbitrary imprisonment and the infliction of physical violence. Any social hostility against them is perpetuated and sometimes instigated by a government rhetoric that demeans and wrongly associates minority faith groups with foreign plots.

This only fosters attitudes of mistrust and, in some cases, promotes violence and intimidation against members of religious minority communities. This is perhaps most evident in the case of the Baha'is, who have been actively targeted by the Iranian government for many years and are subject to a litany of discriminatory policies, harassment, arbitrary detention and violence.

Since August, 2014, it is estimated that at least 126 Baha'is had been held in Iranian detention centres. Reports consistently have noted insufficient trial safeguards and inadequate access to legal counsel. Making matters worse, lawyers who had accepted sensitive Baha'i cases were targeted themselves, several ending up in prison or being forced to flee the country.

Members of the Baha'i community are systematically denied access to higher education in Iran, have had raids on their homes and have even had their places of burial desecrated.

Officials have reportedly frequently offered Baha'is an opportunity to avoid these punishments by recanting their faith. However, a central tenet of Baha'i faith is to be true to their faith and not to deny their religion. For this act of defiance, Baha'i youths are denied places at universities, and men and women have continued to languish behind bars for years.

This remains the case for seven imprisoned Baha'i community leaders, arrested under the charge of espionage and threatening national security, when in reality their supposed crime was practising their faith.

The situation in Iran remains likewise challenging for Christians. According to UN figures, roughly 300,000 Christians live in Iran. They, like individuals belonging to a few selected religious minority communities, are afforded a slim degree of official recognition and room to practise their faith, so long as they do not proselytize.

Conversion from Islam, known as apostasy, is illegal in Iran. It is an offence punishable by death. Reports have noted a marked increase in the monitoring and intimidation of Christian communities by Iranian authorities. Officials have raided private worship sessions, frequently confiscate bibles, and physically intimidate converts and lay people. Among them, at least 49 Protestant Christians are currently detained and Iranian security services have stepped up their closures of officially licensed churches and arrests of Christian pastors linked to recent conversions of Islam to Christianity. This has included Iranian-born American pastor, Saeed Abedini, who is serving an eight-year sentence after being convicted as a supposed threat to national security in 2013.

Like their Christian and Bahá’i counterparts, Sufi, Dervish and Sunni Muslims have also seen their space to openly and freely practice their faith continue to shrink. They too find themselves intimidated, monitored and imprisoned by Iranian authorities, again under so-called national security offenses. At least 150 Sunni Muslims are currently detained for convening religious meetings, as well as an estimated 10 Sufi or Dervish Muslims.

Leaders from the Iranian regime's clergy have further incited hostility toward these groups, allegedly claiming they spread Wahhabism or Salafism, linking them to plots of foreign states. They have even produced and aired state-run programs that demonize Sufism.

Altogether, these combined actions create a socially hostile environment for the Sunni, Sufi and Dervish communities.

The challenges faced by individuals belonging to religious minority communities remain daunting. They are up against a government that uses every possible tool at its disposal to control and deliberately rob them of the freedom of religion or belief, using legal and extralegal means.

This systematic discrimination and persecution is unacceptable and I can assure hon. members present that the Government of Canada has not remained silent on this issue. As a country based on pluralism and comprised of a multitude of cultures and faiths, Canada is uniquely positioned to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief. As such, we have made this a key foreign policy priority and established the Office of Religious Freedom, located in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, or DFATD, to speak out and advocate on behalf of persecuted religious communities worldwide, including those in Iran.

Working closely alongside his colleagues at DFATD, Canada's ambassador for Religious Freedom, Dr. Andrew Bennett, has consistently condemned the unjust actions of the Iranian government against its religious minority communities. He continues to engage with Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the UN's special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and key leaders from Iran's various faith communities to further develop Canada's strategy on addressing the religious freedom and broader human rights situation faced by the Iranian people.

Canada continues to stand beside Iran's oppressed religious minority communities. We will remain a leader in promoting their freedom of religion or belief and for the improvement of Iran's human rights situation writ large.

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:20 p.m.

NDP

Carol Hughes NDP Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON

Mr. Chair, again, we all want democracies for every country in this world. Unfortunately, there are challenges and we need to work with these countries to to try to overcome them.

When we look at the nuclear non-proliferation agreement that was done in April 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 negotiations group, which are U.S., France, Britain, China, Russia and Germany, we realize this is a tentative agreement. It has been put in place to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

It is important for us to go into a bit of the statement. It says, under this statement of intent, that Iran has committed to the following: to reduce installed centrifuges from 19,600, with only 5,000 spinning and no advance models or further research and development; to shut down a secondary enrichment facility for at least 15 years; to reduce low enriched uranium stockpile from 10,000 kilograms to 300 kilograms for 15 years; and to remove and destroy the core of the heavy water reactor at Iraq, commit to not building another heavy water reactor for 15 years and allow inspectors from IAEA to inspect any facility any time.

When we look at that, even President of the United States, Barack Obama, has said that this deal is not based on trust, that it is based on unprecedented verification. They are taking this a step at a time.

Do the Conservatives not think we can do something as well to move a step forward in trying to assist with that democracy?

Iran Accountability WeekGovernment Orders

9:20 p.m.

Conservative

Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON

Mr. Chair, there is nothing in writing on that agreement that was talked about in April.

While we appreciate the efforts of P5+1 negotiations, our government believes that every diplomatic measure should be taken to ensure the Iranian regime never obtains nuclear weapons. Until Canada is satisfied that this is the case, our sanctions will remain in full force. We will judge Iran by its actions, not words. Canada will continue to defend the rights of those suffering at the hands of the Iranian regime and will be a voice for all those who have been silenced by Iran's repressive actions.

Already the Iranians have enough highly-enriched uranium to produce medical isotopes for the next 25 years. There is no reason for them to enrich uranium any further, other than for military reasons.