44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 2, 2022 02:00PM
- Mar/2/22 2:31:45 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are witnessing a humanitarian crisis unfold in Ukraine, and we need to do everything we can to help people who are trying to seek refuge from this crisis. We cannot allow the same failure in the evacuation plan of Afghanistan to be repeated.
Experts agree that we need visa-free travel for Ukrainians. I spoke with a previous minister, the Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, who also agrees. Why do the Liberals continue to refuse to put in place visa-free travel to help Ukrainians who are seeking refuge and solace from this crisis?
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- Mar/2/22 2:32:20 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are not refusing in any way. We have demonstrated for the past many weeks that we are there to try to increase the ease with which Ukrainians seeking to flee temporarily or seeking to set up permanently in Canada are able to come to Canada. I can assure the member that our focus is on making sure that it is as rapid and seamless as possible for them to come, and we are looking at all different ways of doing it. We will be making announcements shortly about the best way to ensure that Ukrainians can come to Canada quickly and safely.
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- Mar/2/22 2:32:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the situation in Ukraine is a devastating crisis.
Canada must contribute to help the people. Experts agree that we need a visa-free process to help Ukrainians.
I spoke with former minister Lloyd Axworthy. He also agrees.
Why is the Prime Minister refusing to set up the visa-free process to help Ukrainians?
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- Mar/2/22 2:33:29 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, what we have been looking into for weeks now is the quickest and safest way to get Ukrainians into Canada as easily as possible, whether temporarily or more permanently.
We need to have the tools that will help us achieve these goals. That is exactly what we are focusing on, and we will be making announcements very soon about how we are going to quickly and safely help Ukrainians come to Canada.
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- Mar/2/22 2:34:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, it is time to take seriously Canada's Arctic security and sovereignty. Canada, like Ukraine, shares a border with Russia, which has laid claim to parts of our Arctic. We can no longer afford to take our peace and security for granted.
To better protect our airspace and that of our allies, will the government finally decide to replace our CF-18 fighter jets, and will it select the only true fifth-generation jet remaining in the competition, the F-35?
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- Mar/2/22 2:34:41 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, our policy of strong, secure and engaged will see our defence spending increase by 70%. We are seeing the results of our commitment to the Canadian Armed Forces, such as delivering the first Canadian-built ship in over 20 years. Our government will continue to be there for the Canadian Armed Forces in regard to the procurement of 88 new fighter jets. There is an independent, robust process ongoing that political interference, unlike with the Conservatives, has no part to play in.
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- Mar/2/22 2:35:15 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the fact that the Prime Minister suggests there is no political interference is a little hard to accept.
In any event, we are watching combat in the skies over Ukraine and on the ground in a modern war. Second best in the air and at sea gets people dead. The fighter program for this country has been studied to death. We already know all that we need to know: The competition is at an end, the assessment done and scored.
When will the government just make a decision on a fifth-generation fighter and will it be the F-35?
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- Mar/2/22 2:35:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I know the member opposite was part of the government that botched the F-35 procurement program that was roundly panned by the PBO, by independent observers and by a wide range of people who look at it as a case study in how not to procure equipment for the military. We launched an independent, rigorous, expert-based process in which political preference has no role to play, and we look forward to the extraordinary hard work of those independent assessors to provide fruit very soon.
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- Mar/2/22 2:36:28 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, last night I got a call from my friend Andrew Boitchenko. His cousin Natali and her seven kids have now managed to make it out of Ukraine. He has a safe home for them here in Canada. Natali and her family have left behind missile strikes, bombings and soldiers in the street, and they are looking for safety, security and family. They have that here in Canada and the only thing standing in their way is the visa requirements imposed by the government.
Will the Liberal government allow visa-free travel for Natali and the thousands just like her?
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- Mar/2/22 2:37:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I want to first of all commend Natali for having been able to get out safely with her family at the same time as we recognize the millions of Ukrainians who are doing a remarkable job of standing to defend their streets, their homes and their country. Canada not only salutes them, but wants to help everyone who is looking for safety, either temporarily or for the longer term. That is why we are looking very carefully at what measures can be brought in place for people not just to come over as quickly as possible, but to be able to work, study, contribute and have a path of permanent citizenship as quickly as possible.
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- Mar/2/22 2:37:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, but over half a million innocent people have already had to leave everything they have ever known, many with just the shirts on their backs. What we are witnessing is a humanitarian crisis. Many are looking for temporary safety here in Canada, because ultimately Ukraine is home and when it is safe they will go back home.
Will the Prime Minister commit to providing funding and work with the provincial governments to quickly resettle Ukrainians seeking safety here?
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- Mar/2/22 2:38:21 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know how important it is to provide people fleeing from violence and harm safe places to stay, either temporarily or permanently. It is what we have done with Syrian refugees, it is what we have done and are continuing to do in Afghanistan and, yes, it is what we will do with Ukrainians. We are working with the provinces and territories, municipalities, community groups and leadership groups like the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to make sure that we are able to support as quickly, as safely and as well as possible people coming to Canada.
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- Mar/2/22 2:38:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, with strong ties to Canada, many displaced Ukrainians are looking to come to Canada for safe shelter. In their time of great need, Canada can extend help to them. As Canadian provinces welcome Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression, supports and services are needed for their resettlement. To ensure that is speedy and successful, additional supports are needed now.
Will the Prime Minister step up and provide the provinces the additional funding they need now to support Ukrainians resettling in Canada?
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- Mar/2/22 2:39:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we will be there to support Ukrainians resettling in Canada, as we have been there to support Syrian refugees, as we have been there to support resettled Afghan interpreters and their families and as we will continue to be there to support people through this crisis of COVID-19.
In fact, with our supports to the provinces over the past two years of crises, we have actually invested eight dollars out of every $10 of supports for COVID as the federal government. We will be there for supports on Ukraine like we have always been there for Canadians and people fleeing for safety.
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- Mar/2/22 2:40:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, maybe I will get an answer to this question. Putin’s unprovoked aggression and invasion of Ukraine is an attack on all western democracies and a threat to the very values that underpin our country. Putin is violating international law, and he is infringing on Ukrainian sovereignty and killing innocent civilians. In no uncertain terms, Russia’s ambassador to Canada is complicit. He is affirming Putin’s actions and spewing propaganda.
Why is the Prime Minister waiting to expel the Russian ambassador to Canada?
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- Mar/2/22 2:40:54 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate very much the question the member opposite has put forward. The reality is that we have demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate that we are willing to do anything and everything to help this situation. Whether it is unprecedented sanctions, whether it is military assistance, including lethal aid, whether it is humanitarian assistance or whether it is diplomatic leadership, we have continued to do it. Everything is on the table. We will continue to do things that we think can help resolve this situation, condemn Vladimir Putin and support a free Ukraine.
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- Mar/2/22 2:41:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the argument we hear in connection with fossil fuel issues is “energy security”, but Canada's energy security is not at risk because Canada can meet its own fossil fuel needs. We do not need Russian oil. This sanction is meaningless.
Europe's energy security does not seem to be in jeopardy either because OPEC can boost production as needed and the United States can supply natural gas to Germany in particular.
Does the Prime Minister agree that the Conservative argument he seems to be backing is an excuse?
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- Mar/2/22 2:42:09 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, for many years now, we have been working hand in hand with our European partners to decarbonize the global economy, put a price on pollution and implement better emissions standards. We will continue to lead the way on protecting the environment and fighting climate change hand in hand with our European friends. We will continue to help them with everything they need. We know they rely on Russia for their energy right now. That is unfortunate, and we are going to seek solutions with them.
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- Mar/2/22 2:42:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, things are moving faster and faster, if not backwards, and Europe is no longer dependent on Russian energy. Ukraine's IPCC representative says that oil is not the solution. The UN says that oil is not the solution. I wonder what the Minister of Environment says about oil being the solution.
If the Prime Minister wants to switch to blue, can he choose the right blue?
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- Mar/2/22 2:43:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am staying red, because we know that we must build a future to protect our environment, for Canadians, for our economy, and that we are working hand in hand with the world. We recognize the challenges facing our European friends, and we will work with them on hydrogen. We will work with them on decarbonization. We will work with them on alternatives to fossil fuels. That is what we have been doing for years, and that is what we will continue to do.
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