House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 62% of the vote.
Foreign Affairs February 16th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, first, I have strong regard for the competence of the head of this office, and I am pleased he is still working with us. Second, we want to protect as much as possible the freedom of religion everywhere in the world, and we want to do so in an optimal way. We are looking at our options.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, several people have already asked that question. I will answer it again, but my answer will be the same.
Of course we must protect religious freedom, and that is what we are going to do. Our goal is to improve on the work that was done, not repudiate it. We believe that rights are never defended as well as when we defend them together in an integrated, united, and interdependent way. That is how we will approach this.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, it is a very serious situation. We are horrified by it. We have communicated how much we disagree with the situation of Mr. Garratt and his wife to the Chinese authorities. We will continue to do so. It is something that this government does not accept at all.
National Defence February 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I would love to talk to my colleague about the plan once it is made public.
As Canadians, we will be proud of our country's role in bravely combatting terrorism, with a plan that will be integrated and will bring together all the elements needed to be successful. It will involve the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of International Development, the Prime Minister, and myself, since I will try to do my part.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I understand my colleague's impatience. It is completely understandable to want a plan that is even better than the one Canada had before. That is what he is going to get. He will be impressed and so will Canadians. Perhaps he will not admit it for political reasons, but he will be secretly impressed.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives are the ones who are not in the loop. They are the ones who do not understand.
The Minister of National Defence is a great defence minister. He has proven that in the past and he will again. It was an honour for me to work with him and the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie on this plan. We worked hand in hand with our allies, and because of that we will be able to fight this heinous terrorist group more effectively than ever before.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of speculation here and there about what the plan will be.
The plan will be there to fight the terrorist group. The plan will be there to support our allies, including Israel. The plan will be there to support all of these populations in the fight against terrorism that count on Canada and our allies. This plan will be more effective than ever.
Foreign Affairs February 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the plan will be released in due course.
In the meantime, it is important to see that this plan will be comprehensive. It will be integrated. It will be sustained. It will be a plan that will bring together all the Canadian Forces military, humanitarian, and diplomatic missions. It will be done in concordance with our allies, the coalition, to be sure that Canada will be more effective than ever in its fight against this awful terrorist group, ISIL.
Foreign Affairs February 4th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I want to answer with a quote: “I believe Canada will be direct, strong, and firm in its pressure on Russia.”
Who said that? The Prime Minister of Ukraine.
That is the point.
If the Government of Ukraine understands it, I am sure my colleague will.
Foreign Affairs February 4th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, our position is very clear. It is only my colleague who is a bit confused. I will try to clarify it again for him.
Indeed, Canada's support for Ukraine is solid and will remain. Our friendship for Ukraine is not a matter of party or of government. It is a friendship between two countries that will remain.
Our ability to help Ukraine will be improved, though, because instead of snubbing Russia and not speaking to it, we will speak to Russia and tell it that what it is doing to Ukraine is wrong, as other countries are saying. Our—