Pam Goldsmith-Jones

[Foreign Affairs, May 17th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, the Conservatives did nothing to concretely address the Magnitsky case for the past decade.

There are two important aspects to understand. First, under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, we already have the ability to ban individuals involved in the Magnitsky murder from entering Canada. Second, with regard to sanctions, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development has been mandated to look at our sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act and to develop recommendations for what else may be required. I am sure we all look forward to that report.

[Foreign Affairs, May 11th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I am happy to build on the work that the previous government did in support of Ukraine. There is no question about that.

We are following the developments in the case of Ms. Savchenko closely and have seized every opportunity to call upon Russia to release Ms. Savchenko and return her to Ukraine. Members have seen that demonstrated by our further sanctions.

It is interesting that we are being asked to talk to Russia. That aligns with our foreign policy view of engagement which we feel we are in a stronger position on than the previous government.

[Foreign Affairs, May 11th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for keeping this in the forefront.

We have been following developments in the case of Ms. Nadiya Savchenko closely and with great concern. She is a brave young woman. She serves not only as a pilot in Ukraine's armed forces but also as a member of both Ukraine's parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

She has been unlawfully detained in Russia since June 2014. It is her 35th birthday today in a Russian prison. We are hopeful that this will be the last birthday she spends detained illegally in Russia.

Canada has repeatedly emphasized that Ms. Savchenko's transfer to Russia was illegal, the charges against her politically motivated, and her treatment during her detention is a matter of grave concern. We have denounced the unjust conviction and harsh sentence brought against her, and have drawn attention to the fact that the court process was marked by irregularities from the very beginning.

We have done so both bilaterally and within the framework of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Alongside our international partners, we have also ensured that Canadian diplomats were present, in person, to monitor and report on key stages of Ms. Savchenko's trial in Russia.

Canada has also regularly expressed its concerns over Ms. Savchenko's health during her detention, including in the statement that was referenced, issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on March 8. We have urged Russia to act compassionately by immediately releasing her and returning her to friends, family, and colleagues in Ukraine.

We were pleased to lend our voice to the international #freesavchenko campaign. We will continue to call upon Russia to free Ms. Savchenko until such time as she is released.

The circumstances of Ms. Savchenko's transfer to and detention in Russia have brought into bold relief the brazenness of Russia's actions in Ukraine, which have breached international law, and undermined fundamental trust between Russia and the West.

Canada has made it clear that Russia's actions in Ukraine are unacceptable. In response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and its ongoing support to insurgents in the Donbass region, we have imposed a broad range of sanctions against individuals and entities implicated in Russia's violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

We remain firm that sanctions will not be lifted until Russia has fully implemented its Minsk commitments. We remain ready to implement further measures as required, in tandem with our international partners.

I was at a women in parliaments conference in Jordan last week. Many women parliamentarians commented on their gratitude for Canada's strong stand for Ukraine.

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined during his visit to Kiev earlier this year, this government is unwavering in its support for Ukraine in the face of Russian actions aimed at undermining its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in Ukraine's efforts to build a secure, stable and prosperous country.

[Citizen of the Year, May 11th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, Harry Greenwood is the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

Harry is a former Royal Canadian Navy Seaman, decorated World War II veteran, and recipient of France's Legion of Honour medal.

He sent me a photo once, shaking the former prime minister's hand saying, “I don't think he's going to vote for you”.

Harry is a Scotsman who lived in Hamilton and dedicated himself to the labour movement and Mohawk College before moving to West Vancouver.

I met him when he was 75 through his service on the library board, the harmony arts festival, the seniors centre, and of course, the Royal Canadian Legion.

When he accepted his award, he dedicated it to all the volunteers. At 91, he lives by example.

It is a privilege to learn from Harry, to call him my friend, and to recognize his service to Canada in the House of Commons.

[Diabetes, April 22nd, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I would like to invite all of my hon. colleagues to support the all-party juvenile diabetes caucus. There are 300,000 Canadians who live with type 1 diabetes.

I will never forget the day my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. My husband was out of town, and as I drove her to the hospital in December, I had all the windows rolled down and I had to shake her the whole way to keep her from going unconscious. That night at British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver, all she kept saying to me was, “I'm so sorry, Mum.”

Children who live with chronic conditions take on a lot of responsibility, as do their families and friends. The overall incidence of type 1 diabetes is increasing, particularly among children one to 14 years old. Little children are diagnosed every day.

Canada has a rich legacy of innovation in type 1 diabetes research. From the world-changing discovery of insulin by Sir Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best to the Edmonton protocol to new areas of research, such as encapsulation and the artificial pancreas project, Canadian researchers are leading.

With gratitude for Canada's research scientists and their continued—

[Criminal Code, April 22nd, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for St. Albert—Edmonton for his service on the special joint committee.

I am very interested in the questions that we are going to ask ourselves as a Canadian society in the future. I am interested in his views on advance consent, consent for mature minors, and eligibility based solely on mental illness.

[Presence in Gallery, April 20th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would like to ask for unanimous consent for the following motion: That the House declare that ISIL is responsible for atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity of a genocidal nature against ethnic and religious groups, namely, but not limited to, Christians, Yazidis and Shia Muslims in Syria and Iraq, and that it strongly condemn these atrocities and call for an independent investigation, including into possible genocide, and for perpetrators to be brought to justice.

[Foreign Affairs, April 18th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, the promotion and protection of human, including the freedom of religion, belief and conscience is an integral part of Canada's constructive engagement in the world. I know you know the words.

The minister just announced in Burma Canada's $44-million investment in a bilateral development assistance program, which will strengthen and promote democracy and fundamental freedoms, including those of religious minorities, for instance the Rohingya.

We are continuing our important work as we move toward a comprehensive vision of human rights. Dr. Bennett and staff remain with us during this transition.

[Ecuador, April 18th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we send our thoughts and sincere condolences to all those affected by this earthquake.

We are working with the families of two Canadian citizens who were tragically killed during the earthquake. As a nation, we send our deepest condolences to their families, their friends, and their loved ones.

Consular officials in Ottawa have reached out to the family and are offering support and assistance. Canadian officials in our embassy in Quito are reaching out to Canadian citizens in that country to provide assistance.

We will continue to work with local authorities to assess the impact of this devastating earthquake and with what is needed on the ground.

[Foreign Affairs, April 18th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. This contract was signed under the previous government. During the election, the Conservatives, the Liberals, and the NDP committed to honouring the contract. In fact, the leader of the NDP said, “You don't cancel a commercial accord retroactively; it's just not done”.

Our Prime Minister has made it very clear that we will not weaken Canada's credibility by tearing up this contract.

The release of the report on Friday was the first of many steps we will be taking to provide greater transparency on human rights assessments.