Debates of Sept. 21st, 2023

[Justin Trudeau, Liberal, Prime Minister]

Mr. Speaker, parliamentarians, honoured guests and friends, we gather today at a pivotal point in history. This is a time of incredible uncertainty. Attacks upon the rules-based international order threaten to upend the peace and prosperity that have been the bedrock of Canada's success. This is a challenge on a generational scale, a challenge that history will judge us on, a challenge we must confront with lion-hearted courage. The world can find no better inspiration than our friend here with us in our House today, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his wife, the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

One year, six months and 29 days ago, Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, unleashing a campaign of violence and brutality that has left countless dead and forced millions to flee, but for one year, six months and 29 days, the people of Ukraine have defended their homes, their language and their freedom to choose their own future. They have fought back with a courage that has inspired the world, and they have been led by President Zelenskyy, a great champion of democracy.

President Zelenskyy, in March of last year, you addressed our Parliament virtually. Last June, I addressed your parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, in Kyiv. I was touched to see so many Canadian flags.

Today, we are pleased to have you here with us to talk about your country's fight for democracy and freedom. It is an opportunity to remind us that Russia is continuing its assault and Ukrainians are sacrificing their lives.

President Zelenskyy, you and I speak regularly. We have talked about what is happening with the Zaporizhzhia nuclear generating station and the ecological destruction brought on by Russia's tactics. We talked about the human toll, the abducted children and the people who are being taught to hate.

I have seen Putin's destructive evil first-hand during my visits to Ukraine since the war began. I saw it in the bombed-out neighbourhoods, in the bridges that had been reduced to twisted steel, and in the abandoned homes. I also saw it in the faces of your citizens. They walk down the streets and sit in cafés, daily life seemingly persisting, but with everyone I spoke to, I saw in the back of their eyes the weight of this war, the fear for their fellow Ukrainians on the front lines, and the anxiety that another air-raid siren would go off at any moment, that there would be the loss of a loved one.

The toil of this war on the mental health and well-being of Ukrainians is immeasurable. I know, First Lady Zelenska, that you are dedicated to the work to address this, so today we are providing funding to support mental health care in Ukraine as we continue to applaud your tremendous leadership in these difficult times.

When rule-based orders crumble, so much is lost. One example of how this breakdown manifests is the horrifying, preventable hardship of Russia blocking grain exports, which is worsening hunger and starvation among the world's most vulnerable people.

President Zelenskyy, you and the Ukrainian people are holding the rule-based order in the balance. You are on the front lines, not just of the fight for Ukraine, but also in the fight for the kind of future you are all going to be living in.

Rules matter. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the bloodiest and deadliest conflict humanity has ever known, the world's nations agreed on a shared set of principles and rules for establishing peace. For three-quarters of a century, these rules have brought historic prosperity. They have encouraged trade, given citizens the confidence to invest in their future, and helped millions of people escape poverty. There is not one place that has not prospered thanks to peace.

What Putin has done is a break with civilization. It is a violation of our common humanity. It is an attempt to disassemble the rule-based order that protects our freedom. It is a move to weaken democracy and assert autocracy. Putin governs with deception, violence and repression. He imprisons his own people and stirs up ugly sentiments of xenophobia and racism. However, his imperial delusions in Ukraine have been met with a fierce defence, a defence that is strong, not just because of the support from friends around the world, but because those who fight for their freedom will always fight with their whole hearts.

That is why we all have to fight with every means at our disposal. We have to stand tall and strong against violations of national sovereignty and attacks on international law. Violations of rules-based law must be called out and violators held accountable for their actions. This has always been our government's position.

That is why we unfailingly oppose authoritarian governments and stand on the side of those who uphold international law, universal human rights and the right of all peoples to choose their own future. That is why we remained true to our principles when Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arbitrarily detained by China.

There are countries that are bending or breaking the rules, political forces that are pandering to demagoguery. We are all experiencing a rise of disinformation, some state-sponsored, some politically motivated, that twists facts and refuses evidence and science. In this era of uncertainty and of resurgent great power competition, rules are what will protect us. It is not enough for them to just be written down somewhere. We must advocate for them, stand up for them and live by them.

History will judge us on how we defend democratic values, and Ukraine is at the tip of the spear in this great challenge of the 21st century. That is why Canada and Canadians are there for Ukraine and why we stand so unequivocally against Russia. It is why people across Canada have welcomed with open arms over 175,000 Ukrainians, some of whom are here with us today.

There are those here who have come from Bucha and Kharkiv. They are part of a group of Ukrainian scientists who have found safety in Canada, and their expertise in the clean economy is helping the world unwind its dependence on the fossil fuels weaponized by despots like Putin. We also have leaders from the Ukrainian Canadian community, like Orysia and others. They come from the Canadian Prairies, where so many Ukrainian immigrants have settled for over a century and have led the charge in helping their communities welcome refugees fleeing Putin's bombs, everything from collecting clothing donations to helping them find homes.

We are also joined by Agnes and Susan, who lost their brother Anthony, a humanitarian volunteer, just 12 days ago. He was killed in a Russian strike while trying to help civilians in Donetsk oblast, innocent people who are being brutalized by the Kremlin's unprovoked aggression. Today, our gallery is filled with Ukrainians who have come to show their support and gratitude for you, Volodymyr, but I think we all need to take a moment to thank them for their bravery, their generosity and their solidarity with the values of democracy.

President Zelenskyy, I have made it clear that our government will stand by your side for as long as it takes. Canada has provided close to $9 billion in military, financial and humanitarian support since Putin started his war of aggression.

Today, we are making a longer-term, multi-year commitment that provides predictable, steady support to Ukraine. It will include $650 million over three years for 50 armoured vehicles, including medical evacuation vehicles that will be built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario. We will also send F-16 trainers for pilots and for maintenance so Ukrainians are able to maximize their use of donated fighter jets.

We will continue to work with our partners, including within NATO, to provide ongoing support. We will also continue to provide economic support to Ukraine over the next year to ensure that it remains a strong, dynamic and prosperous democratic country.

However, our greatest hope is that you will not need military or financial support for much longer and that peace will soon return—although it cannot be false peace based on a compromise imposed by the aggressor.

For lasting peace, we must stand up to Putin and reject his attempts to take the world back to a time when might makes right. Lasting peace means clearly establishing that borders must be respected, regardless of the size of the neighbour's army. This peace must ensure that Ukrainians regain the right to choose their own future.

Canada stands with the principles of Ukraine's peace formula. We believe that peace must respect the UN Charter, be based in international law and preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity. This is the peace we must fight for, and that is what Ukraine has done for one year, six months and 29 days.

Putin thought he would make quick work of marching on Kyiv. Putin thought President Zelenskyy would cave in the face of personal peril, but sir, you have not. You have galvanized the world. You have made the bonds between democratic allies and friends stronger than ever.

Volodymyr and Olena, to see you here today in this chamber, to see so many proud and courageous Ukrainians here today after everything you have all endured, is a testament to the commitment of your country and the strength of your fight.

President Zelenskyy, you have shown the rest of the world what true leadership is all about. Even in the most difficult times, you fight with a sense of hope and you remain committed to the safety and progress of your people.

In times like this, the world needs leaders who understand that true strength is not about wielding power, but about empowering others. True strength is not about crushing your opponent with brute force and lies. It is about respecting the humanity and dignity of everyone. It is about governing from a basis of truth and compassion. In times of crisis, holding fast to positive values like this can be a lot harder than resorting to fear and resentment, but it is well worth it.

When the history books are written, we know what they will say of you: that you were among those who stood up for their principles no matter how hard, among those who stood up to bullies, among those who protected the less fortunate, among those who unified people in the face of fear, among those who defended the rules and upheld the law, among those who put justice, hope and freedom above all else.

We know that democracy is one of the greatest expressions of freedom. It gives us the right to have a voice, to choose our own future, to be protected by a system with justice and accountability. However, democracy does not happen by accident and it will not continue without effort. We must defend it and strengthen it with all that we have.

Volodymyr, my friend, you have a unique understanding of this. You stare down Putin every single day, and we will be with you and all heroes of this courageous fight for as long as it takes. Slava Ukraini.

Mr. Speaker, it is now my distinct honour to welcome President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to address this House.

[His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine]

Heroyam slava.

Thank you so much.

Dear ladies and gentlemen of Canada, before I start, I just want to remind you of one thing. This thing is very important to understand for both Ukraine and Canada. It is what we are up to and what we need to do and do together.

In 1983, the city of Edmonton's history was closely linked to the destiny of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Canadian community. In Edmonton, the first monument in the world to the victims of the Holodomor was built. It was built to remember the genocide against the Ukrainian people, the genocide ordered and perpetrated by Moscow. It was the first-ever Holodomor monument in the world. At the time, Ukraine did not yet have memorials commemorating the victims of the genocide of Ukrainians because Ukraine was under Moscow's control back then. This fall will mark the 40th anniversary since that first and very important commemoration of the victims of the Holodomor.

A lot has changed since then. Ukraine gained independence. Ukraine is restoring its own historic memory. Dozens of other countries' parliaments and governments have already recognized the Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian people. This year alone there have been 11 such recognitions, and I am sure the world, the whole world, will recognize the truth about the Holodomor.

However, there is something that has not changed either in 40 years since the monument in Edmonton was built or in the 90 years since the Holodomor: Moscow now, as always, is bent on controlling Ukraine and makes use of all available means to do that, including genocide. It is a genocide what Russian occupiers are doing to Ukraine. When we want to win, when we call on the world to support us, it is not just about an ordinary conflict; it is about saving the lives of millions of people, literally the physical salvation of ordinary women, men, children, our families, whole communities and entire cities.

Russia's destruction of Mariupol, Volnovakha, Bakhmut or any other city or village in Ukraine must not go unpunished. Life and justice must prevail everywhere in Ukraine and for all Ukrainians. This Russian aggression must end with our victory so that Russia will never bring back genocide to Ukraine and will never, ever try to do so. Moscow must lose once and for all, and it will lose.

Dear Speakers, the whole Parliament of Canada, dear Justin, Mr. Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen of the government, dear representatives of all the communities and cities, and all citizens of Canada, in my opinion, one of the most sterling qualities of your country is that justice is not an empty word for Canada. Another extremely important fact about you is that you never ever make a political bet on hatred and enmity, and you are always on the bright side of history.

During the First World War and in the time between those terrible wars, and during the Second World War and the Cold War, you always defended freedom; you always defended justice. I had no doubt that you would choose the side of freedom and justice when Russia launched a full-scale war again Ukraine, but it is never enough only to choose the right side. You also need to be able to be a leader on this side, and you are. You are a leader, and I thank you for that, Canada.

Thank you very much for your political support for Ukraine. This is truly support of a leader, and it is global in scale. When you are fighting for something, when you are fighting for good in human nature, false neutrality looks obviously immoral. One sees that true leaders, while the others are afraid to be real, to speak out or to fight, have only two options: to change or to be looked down on. I thank you, Canada, for being a real example of leadership and honesty for so many around the world, an example that inspires others to defend life.

Canada's support for Ukraine with weapons and equipment has allowed us to save thousands of lives. This includes air defence systems, armoured vehicles, artillery shells and very significant assistance in demining. Thank you so much.

Canada's leadership in sanctions against Russia for this war on terror really encouraged others in the world to follow your lead. I am especially grateful for your extremely strong, 100% leadership support of the Ukrainian movement to NATO. Your strong participation in training our soldiers, which is very important, is already a tradition. Canada trains those who defend the world: thousands and thousands of pilots during the Second World War, and thousands of Ukrainians now. Training is what makes victory strong and makes victory indispensable. Thank you for this.

Thank you for your economic support, for helping Ukraine get rid of its dependence on Russian nuclear fuel. This is progress not only for us. Ukraine and Canada, together with their partners and friends, are demonstrating to everyone that it is quite realistic to completely cut off our ties with dubious Russian nuclear technologies, in addition to being purely technological danger.

The Russian nuclear industry also serves Moscow's political expansion. Russia uses nuclear technology and the construction of nuclear power plants, like gas and oil, for political attacks against the sovereignty of other nations. Russia is trying to break the sovereignty of others through its manipulation of energy resources, all energy resources, so the more nations that are free from Russian energy resources, the sooner energy in the world will once again become just an energy resource, not a weapon against sovereigntists.

Another important area of our co-operation is literally justice. Today, in talks with Prime Minister Justin, we discussed the Canadian initiative for the G7 to set up efforts to confiscate Russian assets. Those funds that Russia and its henchmen use to pay for their war should be used to fairly compensate for the damage caused by war and terror.

Active and global work is also required to bring Russia to justice for the crime of aggression itself, and for absolutely all crimes from this aggression: all deaths, every deportation of every child, every adult. Every life needs to be protected and every attacked nation needs justice to rule. The world needs it too so that other potential aggressors can see that war ends in verdicts for the aggressor. I urge you, Canada, to extend your ability to lead other countries, especially in the matter of justice, of prosecuting the aggression, of compensation for aggression, of making the aggressor feel how strong justice is.

Most of all, I would like to thank you, Canada, for the purely human thing: for making Ukrainians feel at home when they are here in Canada. Thank you. This is not just a legacy of history; this is a legacy of character.

The Ukrainian Canadian community is about millions of Ukrainian destinies that have become the destiny of Canada, with all its diversity of communities, freedom, love, courage, our special innate call for justice, the ability of our people to share comfort wherever they go and to build and create, not to ruin or humiliate. Ukrainian flags in Canada are a part of everyday life as an absolute trust to Canada in Ukraine. In fact, such proximity provides many answers, including answers to questions about this war. Can we give up? No. Can we betray the good in human nature? No. Can we agree with evil? No. Can we allow our identity to be erased? No. Ukraine and Canada are the same. We stand and we fight for life.

Ukraine, not genocide, will be victorious in this war. People will be the winners, not the Kremlin. Freedom will be the winner. Justice will be the winner. You can know this for sure about us because you know it for sure about yourselves, that you would never submit to evil.

Thank you, Canada.

One day soon a monument will be built, maybe in Edmonton, as they will be in other cities of the world and in the cities of Ukraine, to honour the victory of our people in this war, our common victory with you, the people of Canada, with all your communities and your legacy of good.

Ladies and gentlemen, today my beautiful first lady and I had the honour of meeting with the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Hon. Mary Simon, and she taught me a word from her mother tongue: ajuinnata. She said the meaning of this word is, “Don't give up. Stay strong against all odds”, and so shall it be. Ajuinnata, Canada. Ajuinnata, Ukraine.

Slava Ukraini.

[Applause]

[Anthony Rota, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Thank you, Mr. President.

I now invite the Hon. Raymonde Gagné, Speaker of the Senate, to address the House.

[Raymonde Gagné, Speaker of the Senate]

Mr. President, First Lady Zelenska, Prime Minister Trudeau, Speaker Rota, hon. parliamentarians, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, hello.

Mr. President, it is a great honour and a real privilege for me to thank you for your very powerful and very inspiring words. We are all honoured to have you here.

The last time you addressed this Parliament, just a few weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion of your country, you urged us to imagine how the Ukrainian people were feeling, imagine what it is like to be bombed and invaded without provocation, imagine what it felt like to grasp the significance of the invasion. Russia was attacking not only Ukraine's territory, but its very sovereignty.

Mr. President, I can safely say that we heard you. Your words resonated in the chambers of our Parliament, in our committee rooms and our offices, and in the four corners of our country.

Shortly after I became Speaker of the Senate of Canada, I was asked about the importance of role models, and I expressed my belief that, if you see it, you can be it. Mr. President, a new generation is seeing you. Having worked with young people in the field of education for over 35 years, and as a mother of two male adult children, I am heartened by the model you are showing. Young people around the world are seeing that a democratically elected voice is the real form of power.

Mr. President, for more than 18 months, you have been a symbol of leadership to the people and a source of inspiration to the world. Whether speaking from a bunker or a podium, in a meeting room or on the front lines, you have never given up, never wavered or hesitated. You embody the spirit and resilience of the Ukrainian people.

I am surely not the first to mention this, but who could possibly forget February 25, 2022? You were standing in the centre of Kyiv, the main target of the Russian invaders. It was one of the most perilous and uncertain moments of the war, and you delivered a powerful message when you said, “We are here”.

Your people have carried forward this resolve at Hostomel, at Kharkiv and beyond. While we draw inspiration from their stories, we also recognize the realities Ukrainians have faced, including withstanding thousands of artillery rounds every day; grieving the unrelenting loss of family, loved ones, colleagues and neighbours; patiently working through treacherous mine fields while drones circle overhead; defending against waves of attacks on civilian infrastructure; and taking steps where and when they can to recover and rebuild.

Mr. President, your people's resilience in the face of such aggression compels the international community, in your now famous words, to be here for Ukraine, however long it takes. Our message today, which you can bring back to your people, is equally clear: The Canadian people stand with Ukraine. We are not going anywhere.

On behalf of all the senators, all the MPs in the House of Commons and, of course, all Canadians, I want to thank you for your courage, your determination and the inspiring words you have shared with Canadians and people the world over today.

Slava Ukraini.

[Anthony Rota, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr. President, as has been noted today, you join a very small group of world leaders who have addressed a joint session of our Parliament for a second time. Among those leaders, one stands out for his oratory, his leadership in the face adversity, and his strong determination to fight on behalf of his people and on behalf of what is right. That leader was the late African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela.

In his first address to the joint session of our Parliament, Nelson Mandela said of the Canadian people, “They are to us like brothers and sisters from whose warm embrace we shall never be parted.” Mr. President, I want you to know that we feel like that still with Ukraine.

I am sure you share the same sentiment after your visit today, Mr. President. It is more than just a metaphor. The ties between Canada and Ukraine are family ties, ties between our two peoples strengthened by the Ukrainian-Canadian community, which is 1.3 million people strong.

Your words today also remind us of another world leader who addressed both our Houses during a time of war. On December 1941, during World War II, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill travelled to Ottawa and delivered an impassioned speech on behalf of his people to rally for the continued support for his country at war. It was a defining moment of history, and one that must never be forgotten.

We have here in the chamber today a Ukrainian Canadian war veteran from the Second World War who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians and continues to support the troops today even at his age of 98. His name is Yaroslav Hunka. I am very proud to say that he is from North Bay and from my riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming. He is a Ukrainian hero and a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service. Thank you.

As freedom is being attacked in many countries around the world and autocrats are banding together, Ukraine's resistance is rallying democracies and pushing us to action.

Resistance often starts at the top with you, Mr. President, but also with the Verkhovna Rada, where the business of parliament, the people's business, has never stopped. I know that parliamentarians in this chamber have marvelled at the courage and determination of our counterparts. Ukrainian legislators have pursued their critical work despite the continued warning of missiles and drones, despite the threat to the well-being of their families and homes and despite the overwhelming challenges of recovery and rebuilding.

Throughout this terrible war, I have had the great privilege of developing a great friendship with my counterpart, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Chairman Stefanchuk. Like you, Mr. President, he advocates for his country with passion and with poise, and like you, he has conveyed what is at stake: Ukraine's freedom, but also the preservation of the rules-based international order, which is a fundamental part of the future of the democratic world.

Most recently, he spoke at the G7 Speakers' summit in Japan. At that time, he shared with me a drawing from a young Ukrainian girl who thanked Canada for our support and our shared wish that all Ukrainian children should live under peaceful skies. It moved me to tears and it moves me there again.

It is moments like these and ties like those that remind us that we must stand with Ukraine to face the threat against its sovereignty.

Mr. President, Canada has stood with Ukrainian people throughout their proud history, and that will not change. We will continue to stand for justice and peaceful skies over Ukraine. Thank you once again for addressing our Parliament.

Slava Ukraini.

[Applause]