Harjit S. Sajjan

[Foreign Affairs, November 15th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I will be presenting the plan, with my colleagues, on a whole of government approach to peace support operations. However, about Remembrance Day, we can be proud of all the Blue Berets who stood on Remembrance Day and the work they have done.

I can also assure members that my former colleagues who I have personally served with are excited by the fact that they can now make a contribution. Regardless of where our troops are deployed, we can be proud of the great work they do for peace and stability around the world.

[Foreign Affairs, November 15th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we announced back in late August our government's intention to support UN peace support operations with a three-year funding commitment with police officers, military, and development, a whole of government approach.

A lot of work has been done since then, and a lot of work is being done right now. I just came back from a recent trip to Mali and Senegal. Once I have the whole of government approach and the analysis done, then I look forward to presenting all this information to Canadians and the House.

[Foreign Affairs, November 14th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as I stated, I look forward to sharing all this information with the House and with Canadians.

Looking at reducing conflict around the world is extremely important. To do this, we have to do it right. We have to make sure that there is not just a military option but a whole-of-government approach, with diplomacy and development. We need to make sure that we get the facts. Once we get them and put all the facts together, we will make an appropriate announcement.

Rest assured, we do need to reduce conflict around the world so that we do not have to send our troops into harm's way constantly.

[Foreign Affairs, November 14th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I will make it very clear. When it comes to sending our troops into harm's way, I do my due diligence in making sure that we have the right information when going into theatre, whether it has been Iraq, whether it has been with NATO, or whether it is any type of African mission.

We announced in August our intention, with a three-year commitment and up to $450 million, of sending up to 600 troops. We are going to make sure that we have the right information before we make an appropriate decision. Then I look forward to sharing this with Canadians as well.

[Foreign Affairs, November 14th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as we announced back in August, it is our government's intention to send up to 600 troops, $450 million, over a three-year period. We can be very proud of their work.

At the ceremony I attended, there were former members, proudly wearing their blue berets, who had proudly served on previous missions.

We will be sending our members on missions to reduce conflict, and they are very proud of that work. We will make sure that they have a robust mandate, robust rules of engagement, and the appropriate equipment to carry out their mission.

[Foreign Affairs, November 14th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the work our Canadian Forces members have done throughout history, whether in UN peacekeeping missions or in combat missions abroad, whether it was in World War I or World War II. We can be very proud of the work that has been done in reducing conflict, and I will be very proud of the work our men and women will be doing in support of the United Nations' operations in reducing conflict around the world.

[Foreign Affairs, November 4th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I actually resent that question.

We will always send our troops with the appropriate equipment and rules of engagement to be able to defend themselves. Our troops have done this with the utmost honour. However, we also need to look at conflict when we send our troops. We need to look at smart power. We need to be able to send our troops in a manner that they can reduce conflict, and our troops have demonstrated this.

Militaries around the world are looking at conflict. They are looking at the root causes, because our troops, while they are ready for the threat, can also help reduce the threat as well.

[Foreign Affairs, November 4th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, wherever we send our troops, we will send them with the appropriate equipment, appropriate training, and robust rules of engagement.

When it comes to the root cause, every nation who is looking at conflict right now is talking about the root cause, because we cannot just send our soldiers into harm's way all the time. We need to start preventing conflict to reduce these things so that we do not have to send our troops into harm's way and eventually have to send these tragic messages to families that their soldiers have been hurt.

We will look at all aspects of this, and we will take a whole-of-government approach to conflict.

[Foreign Affairs, November 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as we look at all aspects of conflict in Africa, we will be selecting a place where Canada can make a meaningful contribution. Our Canadian Armed Forces have participated in UN peacekeeping operations around the world and we have been recognized for it.

Canada has a role to play in conflict reduction and conflict prevention, and we have a responsibility to the world to be a responsible partner. We will bring a whole-of-government approach to this and I look forward to sharing this with all parliamentarians.

[Foreign Affairs, November 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, last summer I had the opportunity to travel to five different countries in Africa, where I was able to take Canadians to understand the conflicts within those nations.

While Canada has a responsible part to play in this world in conflict prevention and conflict reduction, this is another trip that I will be taking to Africa to learn more and work with my colleagues in a whole-of-government approach to peace operations, which I look forward to sharing with Canadians and all parliamentarians.