Rob Nicholson

[Foreign Affairs, May 7th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, far from remaining silent, we regularly and publicly have stated Canada's strong objections to the imprisonment and punishment of Raif Badawi and will do so again today. Canada considers the punishment of this individual to be a violation of human dignity. We continue to call for clemency in his case. We have made representations to Saudi Arabia's ambassador here in Ottawa and Canada's ambassador in Saudi Arabia. We have also registered our government's concerns with the Government of Saudi Arabia, and this will continue going forward until clemency is granted.

[Government Contracts, May 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I guess if they do not read them, then they would not know about them.

[Government Contracts, May 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, it is not actually any of those. The hon. member has it completely wrong.

There are processes in place. As I indicated, all expenditures are reported through the usual parliamentary processes, such as the main estimates, public accounts and quarterly financial reports.

[Government Contracts, May 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, what the hon. member suggests is completely false.

The contracting process across government often includes option years which have a value of zero dollars up until the point that the option is actually exercised. Actual contract expenditures are always reported through the usual parliamentary processes, such as public accounts and the quarterly financial reports.

I know that is upsetting to the hon. member, but that is the way it works.

[Nepal, May 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, Canada remains deeply concerned about the impacts of the earthquake in Nepal, and that is why the Prime Minister has directed Canada's disaster assistance response team to be deployed to Nepal. The DART is a vital asset and is critical in meeting three needs: water purification, primary medical care and engineering help. The immediate deployment of aid is made possible by C-17 Globemaster airlift craft, which is a capability that our government both secured and recently enhanced for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

We will continue working with our international partners to meet the urgent needs of the people of Nepal.

[National Defence, May 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, this is a precision mission that we are carrying out in concert with our allies. We have been very specific, very clear on that.

What the hon. member should be doing is getting up and thanking the men and women in uniform and all those who are standing up for what is right in this world.

[National Defence, May 4th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear with respect to our engagement, and we have indicated that we are there for up to 12 months. We put that matter here before Parliament.

The member should take at least some comfort in knowing that we are doing the right thing. We are standing up to ISIL, which is a threat in that region and a threat to Canada.

[Foreign Affairs, April 30th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, Canada strongly condemns the actions of the combined Russian separatist forces, and we remain concerned about what appears to be Vladimir Putin's command and control of militants in occupied Ukraine.

Today, I was pleased to announce, along with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Pavlo Klimkin, Canadian funding for a series of projects to strengthen human rights and improve Ukraine's business environment.

This is in addition to Canada's significant military contribution, NATO's assurance packages, and the world's strongest sanctions.

We should make no mistake: under the leadership of this Prime Minister, Canada stands with Ukraine.

[Nothern Development, April 30th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know where this member has been on this file, but we have championed a program of economic development and environmental sustainability.

This hon. member said something about a failure. I was at that conference. Every single permanent member there praised our government and the Minister of the Environment for her chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

He is the only one, and they are the only ones, who are questioning this. Nobody else is.

[Ongoing Situation in Ukraine, April 29th, 2015]

Mr. Chair, quite apart from the loans assistance that I referred to in a previous question, Canada has a very impressive record in this area. We have committed more than $568 million in assistance to Ukraine since January 2014. Yes, it does include humanitarian assistance, in fact on every level. I do agree with the hon. member that as important as our support is for the military of Ukraine, and the soldiers that are there for training and the exercises we have participated in as part of NATO, ours has to be a complete package, which it is.

We are supporting Ukraine on every level, whether it is the democratic institutions or economic institutions. We are helping Ukraine on the humanitarian side. We are providing millions of dollars in that particular area, and rightly so. We want to have a complete package to assist Ukrainians. That is exactly what we are going to continue to do.