Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise to present a petition with over 700 signatures, including some from my constituency and across the country.
The petitioners cite the events of this summer in the arrest of Canadian citizen, Captain Paul Watson, who was detained in Greenland and has been held under arrest by the Danish government. The concern raised by the petitioners is that since 2012, the Government of Japan has been attempting to extradite Paul Watson in various efforts, although the notice was condemned by the European Parliament in 2017.
It is very concerning because the events, according to petitioners, all occurred in Captain Paul Watson's efforts to fight whaling activities that were and have been found to be illegal and were carried out by Japanese vessels in international waters.
I will summarize by saying that the petitioners ask the Prime Minister to immediately request the release of Canadian citizen Paul Watson from Danish prison and, further, to request the withdrawal of the Interpol notice that was issued against Paul Watson by the Japanese government for Captain Watson's efforts to protect marine mammals from illegal whaling activities.