Pam Goldsmith-Jones

[Foreign Affairs, June 3rd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we have repeated our commitment to re-engage with Iran in a step-by-step and cautious manner.

Canada's severing of ties with Iran had no positive consequences for anyone, not for Canadians, not for the people of Iran, not for our allies, like Israel, and not for global security.

It was fortunate, for instance, at the end of the 1970s that we had a Canadian embassy in Tehran, when it was time to help the U.S. hostages. Our allies are also re-engaging with Iran, most recently a European Union delegation.

The Conservatives seem to want Canada to stand alone, which helps no one.

[Foreign Affairs, June 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary, Canada has some of the strongest export controls for military and strategic goods in the world.

We committed to ensuring that Canada will become a party to the arms trade treaty, and that will be an important component of our increased rigour and transparency on export controls.

Furthermore, the government takes every opportunity to raise critical issues with senior Saudi officials with respect to humanitarian issues, consular issues, and human rights, as the minister did in his visit to the region last week.

[Foreign Affairs, June 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday was actually the inaugural meeting of the Canada-China foreign affairs ministers' dialogue, which is an important new platform for expanding high-level engagement between our two countries. These discussions will focus on advancing mutual interests in our bilateral relationship, as well as global peace and security, and of course human rights. Asia is a critical region of the world. Canada is an Asia-Pacific country. This is an excellent beginning for discussing how to expand our strategic partnerships for the benefit of all Canadians.

[Foreign Affairs, June 2nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we believe that engaging with China in a comprehensive way is the best option. Even when we do not see eye to eye with each other, we believe that dialogue is the most effective way forward. Having regular high-level interactions with China on a range of issues allows us to continue to have frank and honest conversations, and to make progress on difficult issues.

Canada consistently raises human rights concerns with the Chinese, as our foreign affairs minister did yesterday.

[Foreign Affairs, June 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as was made patently clear during our debate in February, the Government of Canada is concerned about any effort that singles out Israel. The boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement is clearly one such effort. It imperils necessary economic development. It hinders the lives of Israelis and Palestinians.

We need academic dialogue and economic exchange, not isolation. While we support democracy and freedom of expression, of course, BDS is counterproductive to the peace process. We must work toward achieving a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that, through negotiation, will lead to the advent of two states living side by side in peace and security.

[Foreign Affairs, June 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, without reservation, the Government of Canada opposes the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement.

Canada and Israel are not only close allies but steadfast friends. We value the strong economic and diplomatic relations between our two countries, and this is a relationship that continues to grow. We are also connected through the deep ties between our people and communities.

We reject the BDS movement because we need more, not fewer, ties between our people. We need to continue to collaborate in areas such as trade, academia, science, technology, and innovation.

I would also like to stress that the boycott of Israel is at the expense of both Israelis and Palestinians. The BDS movement undermines the prospect of peace and does not lead to a constructive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, by unfairly singling out one actor, it exacerbates tensions.

Our opposition to the BDS movement is not about taking sides in the conflict; it is about supporting dialogue over exclusion. Peace is achieved by building bridges between peoples, having more interactions, and collaborating.

We reject the BDS movement because the imposition of restrictions and sanctions threatens peace and prosperity. The boycott of Israel hurts Canadian and Israeli businesses and does nothing to improve the quality of life for the Palestinian people.

The reality is that, if we want peace and stability in the region, we need to address the immediate needs and support the economic prospects of the Palestinian people. This is why we continue to work with our partner, the Palestinian Authority, to provide assistance to the Palestinians and help lay the groundwork for the viable, democratic, and secure Palestinian state that will one day exist alongside a democratic and secure Israel.

We reject the BDS movement because it is not leading to a constructive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A just and lasting peace requires direct negotiations between the parties. Efforts that target and punish one side exacerbate tensions and do nothing to advance this cause. It is simply not conducive to achieving peace in the Middle East.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that Canada values its steadfast friendship and growing bilateral relations with Israel and our constructive and long-term partnership with the Palestinian Authority. Canada remains committed to a two-state solution of a secure, democratic Israel alongside a secure, democratic Palestinian state, to be achieved through direct negotiations.

[Foreign Affairs, June 1st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we believe in engaging with China in a comprehensive way. It is the most effective way forward. Having regular high-level interactions with China on a range of issues will allow us to continue to have frank and honest conversations to find common ground on difficult issues, including of course human rights. We consistently raise human rights concerns with the Chinese government. The minister is busy doing that today.

[Foreign Affairs, May 31st, 2016]

Madam Speaker, as I have said, the heads of mission throughout the world, acting on behalf of the Government of Canada, will put human rights, freedoms, and inclusion at the heart of what they do each day.

Global Affairs Canada is building on the work that has been accomplished in the promotion of the freedom of religion or belief and enhancing Canada's efforts to protect and promote peaceful pluralism, respect for diversity, and human rights internationally.

As we know, human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated, and interdependent. The promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, is an integral part of Canada's constructive engagement in the world.

[Foreign Affairs, May 31st, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I am happy to share with the hon. member, again, the government's plan for defending human rights.

Canada stands in solidarity with anyone who faces oppression, including a threat to life, due to their beliefs. The government has taken significant steps to ensure that the important work of defending freedom of religion, or belief effectively, is included in our broadened approach to champion peaceful pluralism, respect for diversity, and human rights as a whole.

The promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, as well as the right to not believe, is an integral part of Canada's constructive engagement in the world. Our government is committed to doing more in the promotion and protection of human rights, which are indivisible at home and abroad.

As part of this commitment to human rights, on May 17, 2016, the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the creation of the office of human rights, freedoms, and inclusion. The new office expands on the work undertaken by the former office of religious freedom by bringing these efforts together in an approach that includes all human rights. The hon. member is quite right.

I am proud to say that all Canadian heads of mission will make the promotion of human rights, freedoms, and inclusion part of their core objectives. Canada's permanent representatives to the United Nations in New York City and Geneva will have a clear mandate for the advancement of human rights. This is a key component of Canada's renewed engagement with the United Nations.

As well, the budget dedicated to the promotion of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, will be $15 million, which is three times the amount originally committed to the former office of religious freedom.

The integration of freedom of religion or belief within a human rights framework provides Canada with enhanced ways to advocate for all rights and freedoms, including the rights of women and children, refugees, indigenous peoples, sexual minorities, and the freedom of religion or belief, for example. It reflects our enhanced effort to advance peaceful pluralism, respect for diversity, and inclusion.

The office of human rights, freedoms, and inclusion does more to enrich our societies by including those often marginalized in civic engagement and public discourse, regardless of their place of birth, mother tongue, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or beliefs.

There is much to improve upon in the field of human rights. Here at home and abroad, the Government of Canada is working continuously to promote positive change.

[Foreign Affairs, May 18th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we are proud to announce the office of human rights, freedoms, and inclusion, which reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing human rights at home and abroad. It is a comprehensive vision that includes all human rights, of course including religion. I would like assure the House that the expanded office builds on the work of the previous office. For example, the external advisory committee on religious freedom will stay. To support our enhanced approach, we are significantly increasing the budget. The office of human rights, freedoms, and inclusion reflects the fact that human rights are universal, indivisible, and interdependent.