Debates of March 2nd, 2022

Foreign Affairs

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, the government has recalled Ambassador LeClaire from Moscow, which is one of the things we called for last week. The U.S. has expelled 12 Russian diplomats this week for espionage.

If the government will not expel the Russian ambassador and his disinformation, will it at the very least follow the lead of other allies of Canada and expel Russian diplomats engaged in subversive activities here in Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for his suggestion. The fact is that, since the beginning of this crisis, we have been listening to Ukrainians and to our partners around the world to see what we can do that will help in this situation: either punish Russia, move toward de-escalation or provide greater support for the people of Ukraine. We are looking at all different ways in which we can make positive impacts in the lives of Ukrainians, and in ending this, we will continue to draw on all sorts of suggestions from people of things we can do.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that authoritarian states such as Russia and China are spreading disinformation. In the last election, China spread disinformation leading to the defeat of MPs in this very House. Right now, Russia is spreading disinformation through proxies such as Russia Today, RT.

Will the government take seriously this threat, take immediate action under section 7 of the Broadcasting Act and order the CRTC to adopt a new policy of general application so that we can get these propaganda tools of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China off of Canadian airwaves?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we must defend Canadians from disinformation and propaganda. Just as he has been conducting warfare in Ukraine since 2014, Vladimir Putin has been conducting information warfare there and throughout the world.

As I said yesterday, we will be asking the CRTC to review Russia Today's presence on Canadian airwaves, but it is important that what separates us from countries like Russia is that this decision is in the hands of independent regulators, not in the hands of politicians.

Natural Resources

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, there are some matters on which we agree, such as co-operation with major international institutions and humanitarian assistance, which must be generous, and which is ultimately more important that military assistance. There are, however, some matters on which we do not quite agree.

I refuse to believe that the government would endorse the idea that we need to send western oil to help Ukraine, which does not even want it.

I thought that maybe there was just a misunderstanding or that yesterday's question was misinterpreted. I want to give the Prime Minister another chance.

Does the Prime Minister support the hare-brained idea that we should send oil from western Canada to Europe to support Ukraine?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we will be there to help our friends in Europe and Ukraine in any way we can.

We know full well that our planet's future relies on decarbonization and decreased dependence on fossil fuels, but we also know that what Europe needs right now is assistance.

We will look at what we can do to help, but we completely agree that the path forward involves decarbonizing our energy sources.

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to ask for a little more clarity, because as soon as Russian boots hit the ground in Kyiv, the Conservatives wanted to use it as an excuse to send oil.

The Conservatives also want a leader who was against energy east, but in favour of the carbon exchange.

I am a little confused. I get the impression that the Conservatives want a Liberal leader. Now, I ask the Liberal leader whether he agrees with the Conservatives, and he is more Conservative than Liberal. Is that really it?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear.

We are a government that has done more to protect the environment than any other government in our country's history. We will continue to stand up for workers and jobs as we transform the way we deal with energy.

At the same time, we will be there to help our friends in Ukraine with the resources they need. We will look at what their requests will be. We have the capacity to help, and we will do so if necessary.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, we are witnessing a humanitarian crisis unfold in Ukraine, and we need to do everything we can to help people who are trying to seek refuge from this crisis. We cannot allow the same failure in the evacuation plan of Afghanistan to be repeated.

Experts agree that we need visa-free travel for Ukrainians. I spoke with a previous minister, the Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, who also agrees. Why do the Liberals continue to refuse to put in place visa-free travel to help Ukrainians who are seeking refuge and solace from this crisis?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we are not refusing in any way. We have demonstrated for the past many weeks that we are there to try to increase the ease with which Ukrainians seeking to flee temporarily or seeking to set up permanently in Canada are able to come to Canada. I can assure the member that our focus is on making sure that it is as rapid and seamless as possible for them to come, and we are looking at all different ways of doing it. We will be making announcements shortly about the best way to ensure that Ukrainians can come to Canada quickly and safely.

[Jagmeet Singh, NDP, Burnaby South, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the situation in Ukraine is a devastating crisis.

Canada must contribute to help the people. Experts agree that we need a visa-free process to help Ukrainians.

I spoke with former minister Lloyd Axworthy. He also agrees.

Why is the Prime Minister refusing to set up the visa-free process to help Ukrainians?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, what we have been looking into for weeks now is the quickest and safest way to get Ukrainians into Canada as easily as possible, whether temporarily or more permanently.

We need to have the tools that will help us achieve these goals. That is exactly what we are focusing on, and we will be making announcements very soon about how we are going to quickly and safely help Ukrainians come to Canada.

National Defence

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is time to take seriously Canada's Arctic security and sovereignty. Canada, like Ukraine, shares a border with Russia, which has laid claim to parts of our Arctic. We can no longer afford to take our peace and security for granted.

To better protect our airspace and that of our allies, will the government finally decide to replace our CF-18 fighter jets, and will it select the only true fifth-generation jet remaining in the competition, the F-35?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, our policy of strong, secure and engaged will see our defence spending increase by 70%. We are seeing the results of our commitment to the Canadian Armed Forces, such as delivering the first Canadian-built ship in over 20 years. Our government will continue to be there for the Canadian Armed Forces in regard to the procurement of 88 new fighter jets. There is an independent, robust process ongoing that political interference, unlike with the Conservatives, has no part to play in.

[Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the fact that the Prime Minister suggests there is no political interference is a little hard to accept.

In any event, we are watching combat in the skies over Ukraine and on the ground in a modern war. Second best in the air and at sea gets people dead. The fighter program for this country has been studied to death. We already know all that we need to know: The competition is at an end, the assessment done and scored.

When will the government just make a decision on a fifth-generation fighter and will it be the F-35?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite was part of the government that botched the F-35 procurement program that was roundly panned by the PBO, by independent observers and by a wide range of people who look at it as a case study in how not to procure equipment for the military. We launched an independent, rigorous, expert-based process in which political preference has no role to play, and we look forward to the extraordinary hard work of those independent assessors to provide fruit very soon.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, last night I got a call from my friend Andrew Boitchenko. His cousin Natali and her seven kids have now managed to make it out of Ukraine. He has a safe home for them here in Canada. Natali and her family have left behind missile strikes, bombings and soldiers in the street, and they are looking for safety, security and family. They have that here in Canada and the only thing standing in their way is the visa requirements imposed by the government.

Will the Liberal government allow visa-free travel for Natali and the thousands just like her?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I want to first of all commend Natali for having been able to get out safely with her family at the same time as we recognize the millions of Ukrainians who are doing a remarkable job of standing to defend their streets, their homes and their country. Canada not only salutes them, but wants to help everyone who is looking for safety, either temporarily or for the longer term. That is why we are looking very carefully at what measures can be brought in place for people not just to come over as quickly as possible, but to be able to work, study, contribute and have a path of permanent citizenship as quickly as possible.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but over half a million innocent people have already had to leave everything they have ever known, many with just the shirts on their backs. What we are witnessing is a humanitarian crisis. Many are looking for temporary safety here in Canada, because ultimately Ukraine is home and when it is safe they will go back home.

Will the Prime Minister commit to providing funding and work with the provincial governments to quickly resettle Ukrainians seeking safety here?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we know how important it is to provide people fleeing from violence and harm safe places to stay, either temporarily or permanently. It is what we have done with Syrian refugees, it is what we have done and are continuing to do in Afghanistan and, yes, it is what we will do with Ukrainians. We are working with the provinces and territories, municipalities, community groups and leadership groups like the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to make sure that we are able to support as quickly, as safely and as well as possible people coming to Canada.

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, with strong ties to Canada, many displaced Ukrainians are looking to come to Canada for safe shelter. In their time of great need, Canada can extend help to them. As Canadian provinces welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression, supports and services are needed for their resettlement. To ensure that is speedy and successful, additional supports are needed now.

Will the Prime Minister step up and provide the provinces the additional funding they need now to support Ukrainians resettling in Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, we will be there to support Ukrainians resettling in Canada, as we have been there to support Syrian refugees, as we have been there to support resettled Afghan interpreters and their families and as we will continue to be there to support people through this crisis of COVID-19.

In fact, with our supports to the provinces over the past two years of crises, we have actually invested eight dollars out of every $10 of supports for COVID as the federal government. We will be there for supports on Ukraine like we have always been there for Canadians and people fleeing for safety.

Foreign Affairs

[Rosemarie Falk, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

Mr. Speaker, maybe I will get an answer to this question. Putin’s unprovoked aggression and invasion of Ukraine is an attack on all western democracies and a threat to the very values that underpin our country. Putin is violating international law, and he is infringing on Ukrainian sovereignty and killing innocent civilians. In no uncertain terms, Russia’s ambassador to Canada is complicit. He is affirming Putin’s actions and spewing propaganda.

Why is the Prime Minister waiting to expel the Russian ambassador to Canada?

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate very much the question the member opposite has put forward. The reality is that we have demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate that we are willing to do anything and everything to help this situation. Whether it is unprecedented sanctions, whether it is military assistance, including lethal aid, whether it is humanitarian assistance or whether it is diplomatic leadership, we have continued to do it. Everything is on the table. We will continue to do things that we think can help resolve this situation, condemn Vladimir Putin and support a free Ukraine.

Natural Resources

[Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc, Beloeil—Chambly, QC]

Mr. Speaker, the argument we hear in connection with fossil fuel issues is “energy security”, but Canada's energy security is not at risk because Canada can meet its own fossil fuel needs. We do not need Russian oil. This sanction is meaningless.

Europe's energy security does not seem to be in jeopardy either because OPEC can boost production as needed and the United States can supply natural gas to Germany in particular.

Does the Prime Minister agree that the Conservative argument he seems to be backing is an excuse?