Debates of May 31st, 2021

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, I had asked for specific instances. Clearly the question was not answered.

I would like to ask about Afghanistan. There is concern about the impact that the impending American military withdrawal in Afghanistan could have, in particular on the precarious situation of minority communities.

What steps is the government taking to support the rights of these communities, with particular reference to Hazaras, Sikhs and Hindus?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Madam Chair, Canada has invested a great deal in Afghanistan, both in lives lost and in treasure. We certainly do not want to lose any of the gains that we have made with respect to women, children and minorities. We are determined to preserve those gains as NATO and U.S. troops pull out.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, again, could I please ask the minister to be more specific? We have the Hazara community, the Sikh and the Hindu communities that I specifically mentioned. There have been calls for action for years on the immigration front, with respect to the Sikh and Hindu communities in particular, from those who are ready to sponsor them. Major concerns have been raised by the Hazara community.

Is the government making representations on these issues? What concrete steps is the government taking?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Madam Chair, I can tell my colleague that those are issues we are very much aware of, and so is the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Madam Chair, the people on the ground are very aware of them as well, as are members of the House, but awareness is not sufficient when someone is a government minister. I hope that we hear more and that more action is taken on that.

I want to return to a question my colleague asked, with respect to the Beijing Olympics. The Minister of Foreign Affairs said, “No decision has been made about who will represent the government”. The House has already unanimously voted on seeking the relocation of the 2022 Beijing Olympics. If the Olympics proceed in Beijing, my contention would be that the Government of Canada should decline any invitation to have the government officially represented at those events as long as the Uighur genocide is ongoing.

Is the government prepared to say no to sending representatives to Olympic games that are happening in a country that is committing genocide, or has the government decided to send a representative, but not decided who it will be yet?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Madam Chair, our government is deeply concerned by the reports of egregious human rights violations against the Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang autonomous region. We have announced sanctions targeting individuals and entities implicated in the repression, in coordination with like-minded democracies. We will continue to call for unfettered access to the region so that independent investigators can report first-hand.

That said, we must recognize the independence of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees with regard to Canada's participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence]

Madam Chair, I am pleased to speak in committee of the whole about the work of Global Affairs Canada.

I will focus my remarks on Canada's concerns with respect to the increasingly coercive diplomacy practised by China.

I would like to start off by stating clearly that Canada will always protect and defend human rights around the world. That is an integral part of our foreign policy. We remain deeply concerned about the serious violations of human rights in the Xinjiang region, the troubling situation in Hong Kong, and the arbitrary detention of Canadians.

As we have always said, it is essential that Canada work with its partners to ensure that China respects its international human rights obligations.

Human rights are top of mind. We are seeing a crackdown on human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists in China, as well as on ethnic and religious minorities.

Our top priority for now is securing the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who are being arbitrarily detained. It is unacceptable that any citizen anywhere should be arbitrarily detained. Our government will continue to work tirelessly to secure their immediate release. The thoughts of all Canadians are with Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and their families during these difficult times. Canada will continue to advocate for their release [Technical difficulty—Editor] both directly with Chinese authorities and with partners and allies on the world stage.

[Technical difficulty—Editor] to all of our international partners and allies who have joined in expressing concern. This includes 23 like-minded partners whose embassies sent diplomats to the trials of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor. They did so in solidarity with these two men, and they echoed Canada's message that these detentions [Technical difficulty—Editor] are unacceptable. We said clearly that Canada remains deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding these proceedings. Canada is also deeply concerned by the arbitrary sentencing of Robert Schellenberg. We call for clemency for him and for all Canadians facing the death penalty.

Canada continues to work with our allies to end the abhorrent practice of arbitrary detention and to uphold the rule of law and the rights of citizens around the world. This was demonstrated earlier this year when Canada [Technical difficulty—Editor] to lead collective efforts to denounce and put an end to coercive, arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations by launching the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. So far, more than 60 countries have endorsed Canada's declaration. This declaration clearly reminds countries that coercively detain citizens of another country for political gain that the world is watching. Arbitrary detention for diplomatic leverage is unlawful, it is unacceptable and it will not succeed.

Canada also remains deeply concerned over the rapid deterioration of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. Recent actions of the Chinese central government have stifled political participation and represent a further abrogation of China's commitment to preserve Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, its Basic Law and the one country, two systems framework.

Canada strongly supports a one country, two systems framework under Hong Kong's Basic Law. We call for the continued adherence to this framework and to the rule of law. The fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong must be guaranteed. Canada is working with its international partners to hold Hong Kong and the Chinese central authorities to account for breaching international obligations that commit them to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.

Since this law was enacted in July 2020, Canada has taken concrete actions. We suspended the Canada-Hong Kong extradition treaty. We started treating exports of sensitive goods to Hong Kong in the same way as those destined for China. We updated our travel advisory. The Minister of Immigration announced a series of immigration measures to address the situation in Hong Kong. We will continue to urge authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong to uphold their international obligations under the China-Great Britain joint declaration.

As we have repeatedly said, we remain concerned by the human rights situation in China. We also remain deeply disturbed by the troubling reports of human rights violations in Xinjiang. The Chinese government continues to deny any possibility of human rights violations against Uighur people. It rejects any accountability for wrongdoing and actively seeks to discredit victims and those who chose to speak out.

When it comes to egregious human rights violations against the Uighur population, our message to China is clear: The world is watching. We cannot ignore China's mounting systematic campaign of repression and deplorable treatment of Xinjiang. In March, Canada joined key allies to call on China to put an end to its repression of the Uighurs. We want to hold those responsible to account.

Let me be clear. We take allegations of genocide and crimes against humanity very seriously. It is why we have repeatedly called for an international investigation in response to allegations of genocide. This investigation must be conducted by an international and independent body so that impartial experts can observe and report on the situation first-hand.

Canada has taken concrete action on this issue. On January 12, we announced a comprehensive approach to the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including measures to address forced labour. On March 22, in coordination with the U.K. and the U.S., and in solidarity with the EU, Canada announced new sanctions against four officials and one entity for their participation in gross and systematic human rights violations in Xinjiang.

We have also raised our concerns alongside our partners in the UN, including before the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly. On May 12, Canada co-sponsored a virtual event at the UN in New York alongside 15 other countries to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Xinjiang. Canada's message to China is clear: The world is watching.

Co-operation between like-minded countries is fundamental in order to face the greatest challenges. Canada must continue to work with its allies and stand up and defend Canadian interests. When it comes to our approach toward China, it must and it will [Technical difficulty—Editor]. That means we will co-operate with China on areas where we can, such as the fight against climate change, and we will challenge it on other areas such as human rights. As well, we will compete with and challenge China to uphold international law and protect our national interests.

We need to stay nimble and adapt while protecting Canada's interests, upholding core principles such as human rights and defending the rules-based order and multilateral institutions. The eyes of the world are on China, and we will continue to press for accountability and respect for human rights consistent with our values as Canadians.

This government continues to stand up for human rights around the world and has continued to play a key role through diplomatic engagement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We all know the China of 2021 is no longer the China of 2016. As the minister stated before, our bilateral relationship with China is complex and multi-dimensional.

For the past couple of years, this relationship has presented its challenges and continued to evolve. We also know many of our international partners are facing similar challenges. It has been stated many times that Canada believes it is essential to work with our closest allies to have a united approach when it comes to China.

Could the minister please explain to the committee how he is collaborating with our like-minded partners on this crucial issue, and in particular with multilaterals such as the G7 and the Five Eyes?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Madam Chair, our approach toward China is based on the four Cs: coexist, compete, co-operate and challenge. That means, yes, we will trade with China when it is in our interest. It also means we will co-operate with China in areas where we can, such as the fight against climate change, which concerns all of us, and we will challenge it in other areas, such as human rights, as we have done. The imposition of sanctions against four Chinese officials by Canada last March was a clear demonstration and we acted multilaterally. That is when we have the greatest effect.

Canada also believes it is essential that democratic countries work together to promote values of democracy and human rights. We need to stay nimble and adapt while protecting Canada's interests, upholding core principles such as human rights, and defending the rules-based order and multilateral institutions.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Madam Chair, Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have been unlawfully detained in China for over 900 days. All Canadians are worried about both of them. Our government has been working tirelessly on their release while staying in touch with the families of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor and providing consulate assistance. Canada has also been working with its closest allies and like-minded partners to exert diplomatic pressure on China.

Can the minister provide an update on our government's efforts to ensure that Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are both imminently released?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Madam Chair, the arbitrary detention of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor is a top priority. It is my top priority. We will continue to work tirelessly to secure their immediate release. We believe these detentions are arbitrary and remain deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding these proceedings.

Canada will continue to provide consular support to Mr. Kovrig, Mr. Spavor and their families. I am in regular contact with their families, who are going through an extremely difficult period. We thank our international partners who have demonstrated solidarity and support to Canada and to Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig and their families.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Madam Chair, I would like to thank the minister and his department for his continued work in supporting the families and trying to move forward on the important cases of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor.

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Madam Chair, as my hon. colleague expressed, every Canadian knows about Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. We count every day they are in detention. This is something that has provided great angst to Canadians and we are determined to secure their release. We are using every means at our disposal to try to achieve that aim.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, I will be splitting my time with the member for Thornhill, and my questions are for the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion.

First, concerning the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, does the minister acknowledge that Canada gave up part of its sovereignty over dairy policy by eliminating class 7?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Madam Chair, our supply management system is fundamental to the overall success of Canada's agriculture and agri-food industry. That is why in the negotiations for the new NAFTA our government fought hard to maintain three pillars of Canada's supply management system: production control, pricing mechanisms and import control. Let's remember—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, tomorrow is World Milk Day, and I think that Canadian producers have the right to know if the Liberal government agreed to cap our exports of non-fat dairy solids and if it sees this as a gain for Canadian producers.

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Madam Chair, it is important to remember that the U.S. administration was calling for a complete dismantling of the supply management system, and our government defended and preserved the system from a very strong U.S. attempt. Today, we continue to work to ensure that we are standing up and helping our Canadian dairy producers—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, instead of reading out talking points, could the minister tell us how many dairy farms there are in Canada?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Madam Chair, I would say to the hon. member that this is an incredibly important industry that we defend and help export. We help those businesses and those workers in this very important—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, does the minister know how many people work on those dairy farms?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Madam Chair, I know that my job is to steadfastly ensure that the agriculture and agri-food sector is helped and supported, particularly during this difficult time of COVID-19 and certainly into—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Madam Chair, when was the last time the minister spoke with her American counterpart about the dairy issue?