House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2021, with 54% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, our government pledged to implement a more transparent and robust arms export system. That is why we became a party to the Arms Trade Treaty. Canada has one of the best control systems in the world, and respect for human rights is enshrined in our legislation on the control of this type of export. We are in contact with various groups to ensure that the terms and conditions of this arms export system are the best for Canada.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for his question.
I will definitely get back to him.
My colleague mentioned that this commitment was made by my predecessor, and I will look into it.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, on the general question of arms exports, that is an extremely serious topic, and I personally take it very seriously, since I am the one who signs off on exporting arms.
I want to assure my colleague that, as he knows, we have signed on to the Arms Trade Treaty, which has a strong focus on human rights. This is a responsibility that I take extremely seriously. We are working with various groups to ensure that the regime in place will guarantee that we will not grant permits if there is a risk of human rights violations.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I can answer that very specific question my colleague asked, but it is quite clear that our government has shown an unprecedented commitment to reconciliation with indigenous peoples. We have allocated billions of dollars to help with various needs of our indigenous peoples.
Our government is determined to proceed with reconciliation with our indigenous peoples in many areas.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, there should be no mistake about this: Canada and the United States are very serious about tackling climate change, and this was very obvious as one of the items in the road map between our two countries.
Since the road map was revealed, the government also announced at the Leaders Summit on Climate that Canada will enhance our emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement, known as the nationally determined contribution, or NDC, by 40% to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Canada's NDC reflects the highest possible ambition in light of its current national circumstances.
There are many areas where we can co-operate with the United States, whether it is in electric vehicles, methane reduction or providing hydro clean power to the United States. There are many areas where we can work together, and that is our intention, to take a continental approach with respect to climate change.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, Canada and the United States did agree to an ambitious partnership road map. In fact, I had the privilege of being there when President Biden and our Prime Minister had that understanding last February. We will work together to beat COVID-19, first of all, and ensure that everyone everywhere has access to a vaccine, but we will also fight climate change and accelerate clean growth; we will create jobs and grow the middle class as part of the economic recovery; and we will address systemic racism, which exists in both of our countries.
Canada and the U.S. are each other's closest allies and most important trading partners. United, we will beat the pandemic, and we will build back better for everyone.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Mr. Chair, I thank the House for this opportunity to appear before the committee of the whole.
I would like to begin by saying a few words about the crisis we are all currently dealing with. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique challenge that requires all of us to do our part to overcome it here in Canada and around the world.
We all know that the pandemic has claimed lives and destroyed livelihoods all over the globe, but we must not ignore the profound impact of the pandemic on human rights. This is especially true in countries where political leaders have taken advantage of the situation to restrict civil liberties and trample on democratic rights. The pandemic has exposed and even exacerbated inequalities. Vulnerable populations were the first victims, and unfortunately too many women and children are paying the price.
At the United Nations Human Rights Council, Canada has joined in the call for human dignity and human rights, gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, as well as inclusion. We have stood up for marginalized populations, and we have worked with our allies to hold several regimes accountable for their actions, including Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Iran, Belarus, China and Myanmar. We have also been strong proponents of digital inclusion and press freedom. The recent diversion and forced landing of a commercial airliner in Belarus reminds us that there is still a lot of work to be done.
While the world continues its frantic race to protect public health, including by developing and distributing vaccines, we must ensure that our actions are centred on human rights and universal access to health measures.
After all, this pandemic will not end for anyone until it ends for everyone. That is why Canada is supporting fair and timely access to vaccination and other public health measures. This approach will be critical to ending this pandemic.
We know that many of the priorities that I have just presented are shared by our G7 partners. Earlier this month at the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' Meeting in London, Canada released a partnership action plan on arbitrary detention with full G7 support. The plan turns words into action and further raises the penalty for arbitrary detention. The summit covered a lot of ground. It allowed us to have meaningful talks with our counterparts on a number of pressing international issues.
On the margins of this very fruitful G7 meeting, I was also able to have constructive bilateral meetings, notably with key partners from the Indo-Pacific region. We know that the Indo-Pacific region will continue to fuel global growth in the decades to come. In this context, it is critical that we work alongside our allies to advance peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. In fact, when I met with my Japanese counterpart in London, we agreed on six areas of bilateral co-operation that would benefit both countries and advance common interests in the region. These six areas are the rule of law, security co-operation, energy security, health, trade promotion and environment and climate change. We have also supported efforts to strengthen peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. I had a chance to talk about this with my Korean counterpart earlier this month.
China is, of course, the major player in the region and members have all heard me say before that our bilateral relationship with China is complex and multi-dimensional. China's increasing authoritarianism and coercive diplomacy are challenges shared by all democracies around the world. I can say that many countries share our concern about the arbitrary detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig for close to two and a half years. Ensuring their safe return remains my top priority.
Our message to China is clear: The world is watching. More than ever, democratic countries need to stand together to promote values of democracy and human rights. Our approach to China must continue to evolve. We will coexist and co-operate with China on global issues such as climate change. We will compete with and challenge China to uphold international law and we will protect our national interests.
Canada has taken action in addressing arbitrary detention for diplomatic leverage. We are building a common front to oppose this abhorrent practice. Around the world, foreign nationals are being detained arbitrarily and used as bargaining chips in international relations. Such tactics expose citizens of all countries who travel, work and live abroad to greater risk. Countries from every continent are responding.
So far, almost one-third of the world's countries endorse Canada's declaration against arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations. This is a significant achievement, and it reminds countries that coercively detain citizens of another country for political gain that they will have the eyes of the world turned on them. They face the collective criticism of countries standing together in solidarity.
Arbitrary detention for diplomatic leverage is unlawful. It is unacceptable and it will not succeed. We will always stand up for Canadians in difficulty and distress abroad.
Meanwhile, the renewed tensions in the Middle East have reminded us how fragile the peace process is. Eleven days of violence caused a devastating loss of life, particularly among civilians, including women and dozens of children.
We welcomed the ceasefire in Israel and Gaza and urged further de-escalation of tensions. A sustainable long-term solution must be found for both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. Canada firmly believes in the right of Palestinians and Israelis to live with dignity, without fear, and with their human rights respected. We support the principle of two states for two peoples, with both Israelis and Palestinians living within secure borders that are mutually respected and recognized.
Last week, we announced $25 million in funding to support Palestinian civilians in the region. Those funds will be provided to United Nations agencies and other organizations with proven track records of delivering assistance effectively.
Canada remains firmly committed to working with the international community to achieve lasting peace in the region, and we are offering our full support for the efforts to put an end to the violence and suffering.
The world is indeed facing many serious challenges that call for strong alliances and partnerships. We are using the alliances we have and building the alliances we need. Canada will continue to reinforce our bilateral and multilateral ties with traditional allies, while pursuing new collaboration with emerging partners. This effort starts with our enduring alliance with the Unites States.
This is an alliance with global reach, but it is rooted in and reliant on the security of our shared continent. It involves, among other things, a path to the modernization of NORAD as part of the road map for a renewed U.S.-Canada partnership that President Biden and the Prime Minister announced in February.
In closing, our foreign policy must continue to adapt to respond to today's challenges while reflecting our traditional values, which include promoting democracy, human rights, gender equality, inclusion and the rule of international law.
We are working with our partners to build greater respect for international law. Canada's values and interests are at the heart of everything we are doing on the international stage. I hope that I was able to provide a clear and concise summary of that today.
I thank my colleagues for their time, and I am now ready to answer their questions and listen to their comments.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Mr. Chair, we have not made any formal approaches to it, although we certainly watch the quad group and its actions because we are very interested in the Indo-Pacific region. As of now, we have not formally made any requests to join it.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for bringing this to my attention. We have imposed over 400 sanctions in recent years against Russia, whether individuals or entities. We always examine the question of imposing sanctions as a judicious tool to be applied as circumstances dictate, and we will definitely be continuing to take that approach with respect to actions committed by Russia.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Mr. Chair, I share with my colleague our deep concerns with respect to what is happening in Hong Kong, whether it is the national security law or the fact that certain people are barred from running for the legislature in Hong Kong because they are not considered patriotic. It is deeply disturbing.
The 50-year rule seems to have been thrown out the window, as has respect for the Basic Law of Hong Kong and obviously the concept of one country, two systems. We are following the situation, but I agree with my colleague that China is moving much more quickly than it was supposed to with respect to the 50-year period.