House of Commons photoLost his last election, in 2019, with 27% of the vote.
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.
Foreign Affairs March 7th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, the contract in question was negotiated by the former government and we all know that the NDP strongly supported that contract.
As I said, our government is delivering on our campaign commitment to join the Arms Trade Treaty, which will increase transparency and accountability. In regulating the global trade of arms, we all know that this is the right thing to do.
As we move forward on this commitment, I look forward to an open and rigorous debate in the House with colleagues from all parties, including my hon. colleague opposite.
Our government has clearly expressed its position on human rights: human rights are an integral part of our foreign policy because they are an integral part of who we are as Canadians.
Foreign Affairs March 7th, 2017
Mr. Speaker, let me first say how encouraging it is to see the members of this House, as well as all Canadians, sharing the government's concerns about maintaining the highest standards on issues of peace, security, and human rights around the world.
Regarding Canada's export regime, all applications for permits to export controlled goods or technology are carefully reviewed against the full range of Canada's defence in foreign policy interests. The objective of this review is to ensure that exports from Canada do not cause harm to Canada or to our allies, do not undermine national or international security, do not contribute to regional conflicts or instability, do not contribute to the development of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery, that they are not used to commit violation of human rights, and that they are consistent with economic sanctions.
Our controls are in line with those of our allies and of our partners. However, we have heard the concerns of Canadians and we are fully committed to making Canada's export control regime even stronger.
On June 17, 2016, our government tabled the Arms Trade Treaty in the House of Commons, something that the previous Conservative government failed to do. Canada's accession to the Arms Trade Treaty will further enhance transparency in the export controls process, while not putting Canadian companies at a commercial disadvantage.
Let me remind the member and all Canadians that the Canadian defence industry provides 70,000 Canadian jobs. Canadians rightly deserve and expect a fair and level playing field. However, Canadians also expect us to live up to our commitment to promote responsibility, transparency, and accountability. This is the right thing to do and we will soon be introducing legislation to this regard. When we do introduce the legislation, members of the House, including my colleague opposite, will have an opportunity to study, analyze, and contribute to this discussion.
I look forward to hearing from the member opposite as well as collaborating with her, so Canada can successfully accede to the Arms Trade Treaty.
Furthermore, Canadians will soon see the results of new transparency measures that will be put in place in the form of enhancements to our annual reports to Parliament on the administration of the Export and Import Permits Act and on military exports from Canada. We committed to being more transparent and accountable, and we will deliver.
With respect to the export contract of light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, let me remind the House that this contract was signed under the Conservative government in February 201. All three parties, including the NDP, committed during the 2015 election campaign to respect this contract. To quote the leader of the NDP, “You don't cancel a commercial accord retroactively, it's just not done”. Unlike the NDP, we are sticking to our word in honouring the contract, but will also further enhance transparency and accountability in this regard.
Regarding Saudi Arabia's human rights record, are we passive? Absolutely not. Our government takes every opportunity to raise critical issues with senior Saudi officials like humanitarian issues, consular cases, and universal human rights. We have raised these issues directly with the king, the crown prince, the minister of foreign affairs and other ministers of state, and the president of the Saudi human rights commission. We will never shy away from the opportunity to promote human rights both at home and abroad.
I thank my hon. colleague for giving me this opportunity to point out what our government is doing on this important issue.