House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 62% of the vote.
Iran May 3rd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I share the concern of my colleague about the atrocities he spoke about. However, the question I would ask is this. In which way would it help if Canada is not there? In which way would it help if Canada does not have an embassy?
Was it not fortunate, at the end of the 1970s, that we had a Canadian embassy in Tehran when it was time to help the U.S. hostages? Can we learn from our history?
Iran May 3rd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, every day, every week, we have different business people, governments, that are going to Iran. They are negotiating for their national interests in Iran with open eyes, to make sure that the nuclear program of Iran will not be militarized. I think it is the right approach, our allies were right to do so, and Canada will join them.
Iran May 3rd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, under the former government, Canada was alone in having an empty chair with a lot of countries when it disliked the regimes, which was the wrong approach. All our allies are asking us to stop this wrong approach, and it is what we will do with Iran.
In order to see progress on human rights and progress on the protection of Canada's interests and the interests of our allies, including Israel, Canada will engage with Iran with open eyes, step by step.
Foreign Affairs May 3rd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, indeed, Canada wants to help with disarmament in all of its facets. This is what I have said to the High Representative.
The approach we want to take is to focus on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. This is the best way for Canada to go ahead and make progress with our allies. We will focus on that, and we will count on the contribution of all members in this House on this important challenge that we have to face.
Foreign Affairs May 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for giving me an opportunity to repeat my answer once again.
The contract was signed by the previous government, and it was signed in full. During the election campaign, both the Liberal Party and the NDP pledged to honour the contract. That meant the export permits would land on the Minister of Foreign Affairs' desk.
I will block those permits if the military equipment is ever used to violate human rights or against the interests of Canada and its allies.
Foreign Affairs May 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I am obliged to repeat, which I am pleased to do. We have no current plans to remove Iran from the list of state supporters of terrorism under the state Immunity act. The inclusion or exclusion in the future will be based on the actions of the Iranian government. I think it was the purpose of this motion and it is why we will respect it. We want to see improvement in Iran. It is why we are engaging this country: to help all of the people of Iran who want more human rights.
Foreign Affairs May 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, my colleague knows very well that I always give him my full co-operation.
However, it is common knowledge that we prefer to engage rather than to withdraw or retreat. It was a mistake for Canada to sever ties with Iran. The human rights situation in Iran is no better for it. Israel's situation has also not improved. We are not in a position to help our allies or to help Canadian interests, Canadian families and Iranian Canadians because of the previous government's empty-chair and withdrawal policy.
Foreign Affairs May 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, we have no current plans to remove Iran from the list of state supporters of terrorism under the State Immunity Act. The inclusion or exclusion in the future will be based on the actions of the Iranian government. I am sure it was the purpose to improve human rights to protect the people of Iran, and it is very clear that it needs to make a lot of progress. Its record regarding human rights and the relationship with our allies, including Israel, is a problem.
Consular Affairs April 22nd, 2016
Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for the question. I know that she cares a lot, the whole House cares a lot, and she will understand that under the circumstances, it is preferable that I do not comment further.
Foreign Affairs April 22nd, 2016
Madam Speaker, as my colleague knows, Canada has tripled its efforts to train combatants who are fighting this awful terrorist group on the ground. We have doubled our intelligence capacity in order to determine where this terrorist group is. We have enhanced our humanitarian and development assistance. We are supporting Jordan and Lebanon more than ever, and we will beat this terrorist group.