John Baird

[Foreign Affairs, March 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today we learned the troubling news that in just 10 days, the Crimean parliament wants to hold a referendum on leaving Ukraine and joining the Russian federation. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a clear act of aggression. It is a clear violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and a clear violation of its territorial integrity.

Canada will not recognize any so-called “referendum” in a region that is under military occupation. It is wrong and we will not stand for it.

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, there are no plans to fill the position of Ambassador of Fisheries Conservation at this time given that most of the current work being done internationally with respect to fisheries is on the implementation of existing commitments rather than the negotiation and creation of new ones. Canada’s current level of representation is adequate to address the requirements of such implementation work.

[Foreign Affairs, March 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, when I visited Ukraine last week at the request of the Prime Minister, we offered the new prime minister, the new president, and the new government our full support in the conduct of the presidential election on May 25. We have provided substantial assistance in the past, and we will obviously provide long-term and short-term election observers to ensure that the will and courage of the Ukrainian people be fully respected by the international community.

[Foreign Affairs, March 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we have been speaking in no uncertain terms directly to the leadership in Russia that the activities we have seen in Crimea are absolutely unacceptable. We have démarched, at the highest level, the Russian ambassador to lay down in no uncertain terms that the rhetoric that has been used by the Russian president is in no way factual and is in no way a justification for a Soviet-style military invasion in the 21st century.

[Foreign Affairs, February 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, there is no package, but we have had discussions with our American colleagues and the European Union on what we can do working together to try to change the course of the trend going on in Ukraine.

This government, this Prime Minister, and Canada will continue to play a leadership role to ensuring that Ukraine takes the right steps toward peace, prosperity, and democracy.

[Foreign Affairs, February 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, obviously we are watching with horror what we see going across Ukraine. We are deeply concerned about the actions of the senior leadership in this regard. That is why the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration placed visa restrictions and visa bans on a number of senior officials who we believe hold some responsibility for these actions.

I can tell the member opposite that we are working closely with the United States and with the European Union and others on what our next steps will be to crack down on the deplorable actions that we see taking place in Ukraine.

[Situation in Ukraine, December 10th, 2013]

Mr. Chair, before I make remarks and comments to my colleague from Parkdale—High Park, I would like to say that the Government of Canada's aspiration, desire and goal for the people of Ukraine is the same as for everywhere else in the world. We want to see peace, prosperity, and most importantly, freedom. These are incredibly important values, Canadian values, that we want to promote around the world.

I just want to make a brief intervention on behalf of the government and on behalf of myself about the Ukraine. They are facing some real and significant challenges.

I listened with great respect to my friend from Parkdale—High Park, the member opposite, to her advice and her intervention. I want to say this. She is a true friend of the people of Ukraine. She should talk more to her friend, my friend, her foreign affairs critic, the member for Ottawa Centre.

I should say we all seek a peaceful resolution to the current conflict. We want to see the government dial down its rhetoric. We want to see an engagement with the opposition. If we could encourage anything to happen, it would be for the government to engage the opposition to look at the current conflict, to dial back its rhetoric and to look at its association with the European Union. That is exactly what I did on my recent visit to Ukraine.

I would be remiss if I did not say at the outset that I appreciate the strong commitment and leadership of the member for Parkdale—High Park on these issues. I am sure she will use this in her election pamphlets. I do appreciate it. She is a strong advocate for the people of Ukraine, and I want to thank her for her very thoughtful speech.

[Nelson Mandela, December 10th, 2013]

moved:

That this House expresses its sincerest condolences to the South African people over the passing of Nelson Mandela, a great moral leader, statesman and Honourary Canadian Citizen;

that this House recognizes the invaluable contributions and achievements of Mr. Mandela, not just his fight for an end to the system of apartheid in South Africa, but also his worldwide leadership on freedom and human rights;

that this House sincerely notes the grace and humility Mr. Mandela demonstrated after being imprisoned for 27 years;

and that this House reaffirms Canada's condolences to Mr. Mandela's family and all citizens of South Africa.

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions between the parties and I believe you will find unanimous consent for the motion regarding the passing of Nelson Mandela.

[Nelson Mandela, December 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her interest in this file.

Obviously Canadians from coast to coast to coast are celebrating the amazing life that Nelson Mandela led. They are celebrating the choice that he made, reconciliation over revenge. They are celebrating his moral leadership.

All Canadians, including the Government of Canada and Parliament, want to reflect on what we can do to remind future generations of his remarkable leadership.

[Ethics, December 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Liberal Party certainly knows how to see the glass half full.

Obviously one person has taken responsibility and two people are being investigated by the authorities, as they properly should. We await the outcome.