44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 22, 2022 10:00AM
- Mar/22/22 11:26:26 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Ukraine certainly is a sensitive issue now.
It is likely that one of the reasons for the Russian government's invasion was not to gain access to oil, but to take control of Ukraine's critical and strategic mineral deposits. The energy transition is going on worldwide. We need critical and strategic minerals to build tomorrow's electric vehicles. As we know, China controls a huge part of the market. Russia wants its share of the pie, but Canada can take action to forestall it.
We are talking about economic sanctions on Russia. The best way to reduce our dependence is to make sure we no longer need oil because the industry has changed. We want all modes of transportation and energy sectors to be electrified.
There are mines in my riding that want to become 100% electric. I think that is part of the solution, because some of these mines can consume up to 100,000 litres of diesel a day. That makes us more and more dependent on Russia and the financial problems that lead to war.
Let us shift the paradigm and make a genuine energy transition. I think that will also be a solution for peace.
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- Mar/22/22 2:03:00 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart, a feeling I am sure all of my fellow parliamentarians share. Twenty-seven days ago the people of Ukraine found themselves under siege from a foreign government, an escalation to a conflict they had already been facing for years due to a ruthless dictator who wishes to own them by any means necessary.
This attack on democracy cannot and will not stand, and the people of Ukraine have shown just that. Citizens who have never been part of the military have fought back with a voracity that has shocked their attackers. Their leaders have shown what it truly means to lead a country, to protect and sacrifice for the good of their people, and to be champions.
To the neighbouring countries of Ukraine that have opened their arms to all those fleeing, we give thanks. To the people of Ukraine who are defending true democracy, I thank them for their courage, their sacrifice and their inspiration. We are all with them, and we send them our love. They will prevail, because darkness is overcome by light, and they, our friends, are the light.
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- Mar/22/22 2:06:48 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, for Dr. Kosta Bulavintsev, who is from Ukraine, seeing Russia’s illegal invasion has hit especially close to his heart. In an incredible community initiative through his dental clinic, he has been accepting donations to support the Ukrainian military. So far, they have raised $20,000 and counting. Dr. Kosta has personally committed to matching every single dollar that is contributed.
It is simply great to see the generosity in our community and even more so to see the steadfast support for the Ukrainian people and for the country of Ukraine, which we know to be a democratic ally and partner. I am proud to say that the Kenora riding stands with the people of Ukraine and that Canada stands with the people of Ukraine.
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- Mar/22/22 2:54:06 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs a question, but the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence was the one who answered by reading something that had nothing to do with my question. I will therefore ask the question again today because it is a very important one.
The Liberals finally recognized the importance of sending lethal weapons to Ukraine, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated in a televised interview yesterday that all the weapons were already on Ukrainian soil. My question is this. Have all the weapons sent by Canada made their way to the battlefield in Ukraine, yes or no?
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- Mar/22/22 2:54:43 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am of course working with my colleague, the Minister of National Defence, on this issue. We are coordinating our efforts. It goes without saying that Ukraine must have the means to defend itself against the Russian attackers.
My colleagues know that we are supplying equipment and weapons to Ukraine. That is important in that it will help people defend themselves on the ground, but it is also important from a diplomatic perspective because it will also put them in a position of strength in negotiations.
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- Mar/22/22 2:55:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister. We now see that her answer to Mario Dumont yesterday was wrong, because she did not clearly answer the question: Our weapons have not reached Ukraine.
It is like last week, when the Prime Minister travelled to Europe with his ministers. They went all over the place, but we do not know why, if not for pointless photo ops.
Tonight, the Prime Minister is heading off for a G7 meeting. Will he be bringing the leader of the NDP along to make sure he asks that we scale back our involvement in Ukraine?
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- Mar/22/22 2:55:50 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, first, I want to reassure my colleague that Canada is supporting Ukrainians. I know that my colleague and his party asked for that, and that the entire House is united on this issue. That was my first point.
My second point is that, of course, Canadians expect the lethal and non-lethal aid to reach Ukraine. However, Canadians and our allies also know that it is important not to disclose details on this matter for security reasons.
I would be happy to work with my colleague on this issue, but he can rest assured that whenever we make statements as a government, they are truthful.
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- Mar/22/22 2:57:14 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, obviously we support our men and women in uniform. That is exactly why I had the chance to go to Ukraine to meet with them through Operation Unifier, as well as in Latvia.
At the same time, I find it a bit rich coming from the Conservatives, as they reduced their military spending below 1%—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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- Mar/22/22 2:57:57 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, I find it a bit rich on the part of the Conservatives, as they reduced their military spending below 1% when they were in government, which was the lowest in 60 years.
Of course, it will be a pleasure to work with my colleague, because the question of Ukraine is not a partisan question. It is a question that should unite us while people are—
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- Mar/22/22 2:58:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom, their democracy and even their lives. They have asked for more help from Canada. The Canadian Armed Forces are in the process of divesting many armoured vehicle fleets, such as the Coyote, M113 and Bison armoured vehicles, as they are replaced by the armoured combat support vehicle project.
Could these vehicles be donated to Ukraine? If so, when?
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- Mar/22/22 2:58:53 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Canadian Armed Forces for its ongoing and historic work to protect our country and contribute to our world. I would like to say in addition that we have contributed lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank missiles, grenades and fragmentation vests, and we will continue to provide millions and millions of dollars' worth of aid to Ukraine.
In terms of the suggestion, I look forward to working with my hon. colleague to get more details on his suggestion so that we can take it forward. We will continue to leave no stone unturned to assist Ukraine.
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- Mar/22/22 3:00:13 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question and particularly for his co‑operation on the Ukraine file. It is possible for all parties to work with our government.
We are prioritizing Ukrainian applications. Since January, more than 10,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada. Last week, I announced new measures that will make it easier and faster for Ukrainians to come to Canada safely.
I will continue to work with my colleagues to make it easier to welcome as many Ukrainians as possible to Canada.
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- Mar/22/22 3:01:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we are working with our partners, including the provinces and territories, the business community, the Ukrainian-Canadian community and settlement agencies, on how best to support those arriving from Ukraine. I have had conversations on this issue with the private sector and I spoke with the European Commission just before question period.
I will continue my work to facilitate the arrival of more Ukrainians in Canada through the special program.
It is an emergency. We are treating it as such and we are going to continue to work to welcome as many people here as quickly as possible, as safely as possible.
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