Matt DeCourcey

[St. Petersburg Metro Explosion, April 4th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the St. Petersburg metro was the scene of a terrible bomb attack that killed 14 people and injured many more. Many remain in critical condition. We strongly condemn the use of violence in any form.

Canada is home to over 550,000 Canadians of Russian descent and with Russian ties. I rise today to share our deepest condolences with the families and friends of those killed in this cowardly attack, as well as our thoughts and prayers with all those injured and of course with the Russian people.

[Government Advertising, March 22nd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I will reply in our other official language this time.

The use of the promotional item in question was at the discretion of our Canadian missions in the United States. They have been asked to no longer use it for their events.

Regardless, under this government, Canada is re-engaging in the world to champion Canadian values. This includes taking all opportunities to engage with our international counterparts, including the United States, our international friend and ally.

[Government Advertising, March 22nd, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, the promotional item in question was at the discretion of our missions in the United States. The missions have been asked to no longer use these for their events.

Regardless, under this government, Canada is re-engaging in the world to champion the values Canadians hold dear, both here and abroad. This includes taking all opportunities to engage with our international counterparts, including the United States, Canada's partner and ally.

[Operation UNIFIER, March 21st, 2017]

Mr. Chair, I appreciated my colleague's speech, which will close this debate.

His excellent speech addressed our intervention in the region, how we are supporting Ukraine's military through Operation Unifier, which is part of a whole-of-government approach in that country. Canada is involved in a broader intervention in the eastern European region, including Operation Reassurance.

Could the parliamentary secretary perhaps talk a little more about what Canada plans to do in the central and eastern European regions?

[Operation UNIFIER, March 20th, 2017]

Mr. Chair, my colleague across the way mentioned some ways in which the government can aid the people of Ukraine. I will talk about some of the aspects of the whole-of-government approach that is helping Ukraine: support for non-lethal military equipment; support for humanitarian assistance for those affected by the conflict; addressing a range of initiatives, including beefing up the security sector in Ukraine; support for the national police of Ukraine; development assistance to support democracy building, human rights, and the rule of law; and strengthening of the economy, which includes the signing of a free trade agreement with Ukraine this past year.

[Operation UNIFIER, March 20th, 2017]

Madam Chair, no one will debate how much everyone in the House respects the women and men of our Canadian Armed Forces. I am pleased that we finally have a Minister of National Defence who is willing to work hard to overcome some of the challenges the women and men in uniform have faced, given the last 10 years of the previous government's leadership on that file.

As it relates to Canada's mission in Ukraine and support for the Ukrainian people, I wonder if the member opposite has any comments on how important it is that we extend this mission to ensure that the armed forces in Ukraine are receiving the support they need to maintain their sovereignty, security, and stability and how support for the Ukrainian people will help enhance their democracy, the rule of law, and security for the people of Ukraine.

[Operation UNIFIER, March 20th, 2017]

Madam Chair, I can tell the personal nature of this issue for my colleague from Kildonan—St. Paul as well as for my colleague from Etobicoke earlier, and for the people they have the pleasure of representing in their two communities.

I wonder if my colleague could speak to the unwavering support the Government of Canada and all Canadians have for Ukraine, not only as it relates to support and training of the military in Ukraine for the support of their sovereignty, security, and instability, but also the way the government, through development assistance, is supporting civil society and persons affected by the conflict, and the other ways in which Canada is showing its support for her ally, Ukraine.

[Operation UNIFIER, March 20th, 2017]

Madam Chair, I and the government also share our thanks for the great work of the Canadian Armed Forces. Many of the women and men who will join Operation Unifier will at one time pass through 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in the riding I have the honour to represent. They will do important work in helping Ukraine maintain its sovereignty, stability, and security in this current situation.

Operation Unifier is one part of a whole-of-government approach to demonstrate our steadfast support for our friend and ally Ukraine. I would ask the hon. member opposite if she would agree that this whole-of-government support, which includes non-lethal military equipment support, support for humanitarian assistance for those affected in the conflict, support for a range of initiatives to address immediate stabilization and security measures, bilateral development assistance that focuses on democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and support for civil society, as well as support for economic growth, including the signing of the free trade agreement with Ukraine, is the right direction for the government to demonstrate its support for our good friend and ally, Ukraine.

[Foreign Affairs, March 10th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her question.

Respect for human rights is one of the fundamental principles of our foreign policy. In all of our international relations, Canada urges its friends around the world to be sure that all of their actions reflect that human rights are a priority for them. That is what we are doing because respect for human rights is an integral part of who we are as Canadians.

[Frederiction Constituency Youth Council, March 10th, 2017]

Mr. Speaker, Fredericton is full of educated, engaged, and entrepreneurial youth who care deeply about the social, economic, and environmental progress of Canada. The 18 members of the Fredericton Constituency Youth Council best exemplify this desire to build a more inclusive and prosperous country for all.

The Youth Council's three working groups work closely with local leaders and stakeholders and conduct in-depth research in three areas vital to the advancement of our country.

I look forward, in April, to receiving their recommendations on how best to address youth homelessness in Canada, how to enhance economic and social inclusion for newcomer refugees, and how to increase access to mental health supports for vulnerable youth, including those within the LGBTQ2 community.

My government colleagues can expect some solid and well-thought-out recommendations from these young leaders, and I am looking forward to the debate in this House after we receive these recommendations.