National Defence  Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has routinely deployed the Canadian Armed Forces around the world in non-combat roles. It has never been the practice to have a vote on such deployments in Parliament. Just recently, we have HMCS Toronto in the Black Sea, we have troops on the ground in Poland taking part in exercises and members of the Royal Canadian Air Force plus equipment of the RCAF are involved in air policing missions, all part of NATO's Operation Reassurance.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, our government has been clear both inside and outside the House that the clock started on the 30-day deployment on September 5. At the end of these 30 days, we will look at renewing the mission. The atrocities currently being committed by ISIL cannot be left unanswered.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely no fact to that statement at all. I can confirm that we have committed 69 members of the Canadian special armed forces to be in Iraq to provide tactical and strategic advice in a non-combat role, and that is exactly what we are doing.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, we have committed to 69 members being deployed to northern Iraq to fight—to be in an advisory role with the Peshmerga, helping it out, along with the invitation of the Iraqi government. We are there strictly in an advisory role, non-combat, and it is very clear what we are trying to do there.

Islamic State  Mr. Speaker, Canada will not and cannot stand idly by while the barbaric terrorist organization ISIL continues its slaughter of innocent civilians and religious minorities. We stand united with our allies and will work with them to address this threat. As we have said, inaction is not an option.

Ukraine  Mr. Speaker, yesterday the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, made a landmark visit to Canada. I was proud to welcome President Poroshenko to our great country. His visit and address reflected the long-lasting friendship between our two nations as well as our mutual commitment to reinforce this relationship.

Situation in Iraq  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, for her excellent presentation and for all the hard work she does on the Standing Committee on National Defence and her strong support for the Canadian Armed Forces and the brave men and women who serve.

Situation in Iraq  Mr. Speaker, as that situation evolves and as we have better information, we will for sure be willing to share that with the members. That is why we always say we are co-operating with the Iraqi government and with security forces in the north, including Peshmerga, as we go forward in ensuring that the ISIL threat is dealt with appropriately.

Situation in Iraq  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question. I know that the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has already dealt with some of these matters, stating and pointing out that Canada already has in place some of the strongest anti-terrorist laws in the world, going after those who decide to take their terror from Canada abroad, who are leaving Canada.

Situation in Iraq  Mr. Speaker, as we know from our experience in Afghanistan, Libya and elsewhere, members of the Canadian Armed Forces are often engaged in diplomacy as they meet with local leaders at a community, state or provincial level, as well as working with their colleagues at a national level.

Situation in Iraq  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Westmount—Ville-Marie for bringing forward tonight's debate as part of the ongoing discussion we are having among members of Parliament, government and the opposition parties, on the situation in Iraq. As we just heard, this is a humanitarian crisis.

Franklin Expedition  Mr. Speaker, my mother was born in Chesterfield Inlet and was raised in the Arctic as my grandparents worked for the Hudson Bay Company. For me, and all Canadians, one of the great mysteries in Canada's history was the tragic loss of the ships in the Franklin expedition, in 1846.

Agricultural Growth Act  Mr. Speaker, I am a little taken aback by some of the comments made by the member opposite. I am one of the farmers here, and I am quite proud of our Conservative government and all of the actions it has taken on behalf of agricultural producers across the country. The member opposite has suggested that we do not have family farm operations anymore and that we are going into corporate farming.

Battle of Normandy  Mr. Speaker, 70 years ago today, Canada and our allies dared to attempt the seemingly impossible. They bravely landed on the heavily defended shores of Normandy and, with great vision and perseverance, forever changed the course of history. Canada's courageous troops were among the first into action and, against terrible odds, they fought their way onto Juno Beach.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Pickering—Scarborough East for his service as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. I am happy to report that the Minister of National Defence is representing Canada at this week's meeting of the NATO defence ministers in Brussels.