House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2019, with 47% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, in the situation with foreign interference and the treatment of the Uighurs, which was just mentioned, Canada has not yet resolved the cases of Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig and other Canadians in prison in China, including Huseyin Celil.
What can the minister tell us about what Canada is doing to ensure that these Canadians will be returned home soon?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, pro-democracy activists in Canada have been targeted for speaking out against the Chinese government. In fact, we had two individuals before the Canada-China committee tonight, one Canadian who is of Tibetan ancestry and a Uighur, who had been targeted with impunity by the People's Republic of China and their agents in Canada, with no recourse for them or anybody else in the same circumstance. However, we have not really seen a concerted effort from the Liberal government to combat this foreign interference and pressure. Activists are pretty isolated and vulnerable and do not think we are acting fast enough.
What is the minister and his government doing to communicate to China that this is completely unacceptable? What measures are being taken to protect Canadians in these circumstances?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, the situation in China has deteriorated quite rapidly over the last several years. In Hong Kong, it has rapidly eroded over the last year, and even the last few weeks, with Jimmy Lai recently being sentenced to another term in jail for participating in a demonstration. However, Canada has still not imposed any targeted sanctions in respect of these matters.
Will the minister make a commitment to apply sanctions to put pressure on key individuals within the Chinese and Hong Kong governments in relation to what is going on in Hong Kong?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, we need to bring about the end of nuclear weapons in the world. This particular treaty is one aspect. Canada has long had a reputation or fostered a reputation for being at the forefront of this issue. What are we doing now, in addition to this treaty that the minister just mentioned?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I would like to turn to nuclear disarmament, which is of great concern to Canadians, 80% of whom want to see Canada work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons. Three out of four Canadians want Canada to join in the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Why does Canada continue to refuse to do so?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, one has to wonder how Canadian WESCAM sensors ended up in Nagorno-Karabakh during last fall's conflict there.
We also have an allegedly strong human rights interest internationally, yet Saudi Arabia's human rights violations are appalling and Canada continues to sell it arms, $3 billion worth in 2019 alone. How can the minister continue to say that we are committed to international human rights when we continue to sell arms to a country that is fuelling the war in Yemen and has been called out by the United Nations Security Council on this issue?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I want to turn now to arms exports. Thanks to our efforts in the foreign affairs committee, we recently received and made public documents that show that Canada has not been doing its due diligence on arms exports.
Will the minister commit to enhance Canada's arms export regime to ensure that end-user adherence takes place by recipients of all Canadian military exports?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, recently we have seen a dramatic rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic acts in Canada, including in the wake of recent events, which we condemn strongly. What will the government do to address this rise in anti-Semitism in Canada and ensure that members of the Jewish community are protected from this evil?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, Canada has objected to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in its investigation into alleged war crimes by both sides during the 2014 escalation between Israel and Palestine despite the fact Palestine is listed as a state party to the ICC on the government's website.
How does objecting to an independent investigation support Canada's stated commitment to a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine?
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, Liberal governments previous to this one have long supported resolutions in the United Nations holding that the continued occupation of Palestinian territory is contrary to international law.
Do this minister and his government actually agree the occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal under international law?