Rob Nicholson

[National Defence, March 23rd, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, of course ISIL has declared war on Canada. No reasonable person or political party would dispute this, which takes us to the position of the NDP. It has said that the fact that ISIL has declared war on Canada is “preposterous”. The only thing preposterous is the NDP continuing to deny the obvious truth that ISIL is a serious threat that requires a serious response. This is why we will not sit on the sidelines and why we will soon table a motion to extend and expand Canada's mission against these terrorists.

[Foreign Affairs, March 9th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, Canada is deeply concerned about these events and the subsequent violence, which is affecting both nations, as a result of a constitutional tribunal that could render countless Dominican-born persons of Haitian descent stateless. Canada encourages the governments of the Dominican Republic and Haiti to work together in good faith to resolve these issues as quickly as possible in a non-violent manner.

[Foreign Affairs, February 26th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, Canada condemns these abductions in the strongest possible terms. This is just further proof that ISIL's endgame is to establish an Islamic caliphate across the region. We cannot allow this to happen.

It is with the utmost sadness and outrage that I should also report that ISIL fighters have abducted a hundred Sunni Muslim tribesmen near the city of Tikrit in Iraq. These abductions are outrageous.

This is why we have deployed Canadian Armed Forces and why Canada will not sit on the sidelines while jihadist terrorists threaten the world and, indeed, civilization itself.

[Foreign Affairs, February 24th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, that is a wise question. I want to thank the NDP for that. This is good. This is the kind of thing we have to have in question period.

Again, it is inappropriate for foreign dignitaries to participate in partisan events. I am hoping that the Liberal Party has learned from this tragic mistake.

[Foreign Affairs, February 24th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, it is highly inappropriate for foreign dignitaries to participate in partisan events, and the Liberal Party event was clearly political in nature.

While there is nothing wrong with members of Parliament bringing the concerns of their constituents to foreign ambassadors in meetings, exploiting an ambassador or an official for partisan gain is clearly unacceptable. To do so undermines the relationships between nations, and the Liberal Party should know better.

[Foreign Affairs, February 24th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the deliberate targeting, killing, and abduction of religious minorities by the jihadist terrorist group ISIL is simply outrageous. Canada condemns these abhorrent acts in the strongest possible terms.

We will continue to work with our allies to confront and degrade this terrorist threat. This is in addition to the significant humanitarian aid our government has provided to the region.

The Liberals and the NDP are presenting Canadians with a false choice. It is not about either security or aid; we cannot effectively deliver aid without security. This is why we are committed to this fight and why it is about time the opposition got on board with us.

[Foreign Affairs, February 23rd, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, that is not accurate. We have the toughest sanctions in the world.

As a matter of fact, we sanctioned over 270 individuals and entities, which is more than the United States and the European Union. We need no lessons here from the Liberal Party.

[Foreign Affairs, February 19th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the renovations to Canada House are a testament to the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and Canada. We can all be very, very proud of that.

I will tell members something else I am proud about. I am very proud that the member for Ottawa West—Nepean, a privy councillor and an outstanding foreign affairs minister, was there to open this house on behalf of Canada.

[Foreign Affairs, February 19th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, that is completely wrong. We have been consistent that the security of our men and women in all our diplomatic offices around the world are our number one priority. To suggest anything else is completely false.

We will go forward and we will ensure, as we have in the past, their safety and security.

[Foreign Affairs, February 19th, 2015]

Mr. Speaker, the NDP and the hon. member have it completely wrong. The safety and security of our diplomats abroad is my foremost priority as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and this has been consistent throughout our term in office. To suggest that we are compromising security at our missions to cut costs is quite frankly false and offensive.

We will ensure that any non-security related upgrades provide value for taxpayers' dollars, but we will protect those individuals who are serving Canada abroad.