SoVote

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, CPC)

Jan/31/22 8:43:43 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, as the Conservative member of Parliament for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, I am proud to recognize the contributions that Canadians with Ukrainian heritage have made to Canada, including former governor general Ramon Hnatyshyn and the Hon. Michael Starr, the first Canadian cabinet minister of Ukrainian descent. He was a member of the government of the Right Honourable John Diefenbaker who gave Canadians the Bill of Rights. It bears repeating that Canada enjoys a special relationship with Ukraine. Almost 1.4 million Canadians can claim membership in the Ukrainian diaspora, the largest outside Ukraine and Russia. It is ironic that this debate is taking place while average Canadians have started a popular movement, the “Freedom Convoy”, to gain back freedoms Canadians enjoyed prior to the Liberal Party lockdown mandate. It is ironic because the roots of the current crisis in Ukraine date back several years to the popular uprising that took place in Ukraine's capital of Kiev. The Ukrainian revolution of the Maidan was the outpouring of people longing for freedom, democracy, the rule of law and the dream of a better future, which is the same thing our truckers want for all Canadians. Canadians cheered the Orange Revolution and cheered again the revolution of the Maidan. Canada was the first western nation to recognize Ukraine's independence after the fall of the Soviet Union. Ukraine's citizens look to the west to realize their dreams. They are still looking for Canada. At first, the revolution of the Maidan was met with brutal violence and aggression. The pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych used the same kind of language to describe Ukrainian protesters as Canadians are hearing from the Prime Minister and certain members of his ruling clique to describe the Freedom Convoy. This eventually led the pro-Russian oligarch Viktor Yanukovych, who had been president of Ukraine, to abdicate, going into hiding and fleeing the country. It was during this time of turmoil and chaos that Russian President Vladimir Putin seized the southern Ukrainian region of Crimea. Next came the taking of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Historians make the reference to the events that preceded World War II and the seizing of territories from adjacent countries by Nazi Germany using the same excuses as the Russian President is using to seize Ukrainian territory. Compounding today's crisis, America suffers from a domestically unpopular President whose policies have divided America. Power abhors a vacuum. There is no shortage of nations that are ready to exploit American weakness, such as China and Russia. That leads to the situation the world finds itself in today. Since 2014 and the Russian seizure of Crimea, almost 14,000 people have lost their lives. Many children have been maimed by land mines. There are a million and a half displaced persons. Now is the time for diplomacy and diplomatic language. Lives are in the balance. What was the Prime Minister thinking when he signalled the state broadcaster, CBC, to float a wacky Russian conspiracy theory? Was he trying to discredit the Canadian freedom protesters with his clumsy attempt at disinformation? It failed. Once again, the Prime Minister is the object of scorn and derision, not just among Canadians but around the world. All the world is watching Canadians and the protest outside. So far, the Russian media have been content to ridicule the leader of the Liberal Party. The people of Ukraine do not need the Prime Minister saying or doing something foolish. We know from the experience of World War I how quickly a seemingly minor, unrelated action can trigger a chain of events too horrible to think of. There is no denying that we live in disturbingly anxious and contentious times. Apocalyptic assertions of climate change by the environment minister and ignorant tirades, public shaming tactics, and crude weapons of moral accusation by the Prime Minister have increasingly taken the place of rational discourse. Even before the shamefulness of the Afghanistan debacle, there has been a disgust with the self-serving incompetence of the current government and its lack of a coherent foreign policy. The time for half measures has long past. Ukraine needs Canada's support. The Prime Minister and his deputy have let Ukraine down.

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Context: House Hansard - 20 - Jan/31/22

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant

Jan/31/22 8:49:33 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I recall that when we first decided to do Operation Reassurance and Operation Unifier, people were very happy. In fact, we were even instrumental in setting up the centre of excellence, StratCom, in Latvia for the misinformation that was being perpetuated by the Russians. However, I am afraid to say that the member opposite's memory is not quite that great. Although I would have loved to be in Ukraine with the defence committee, at that time I was unable to. I was with him there in spirit, and I hope to be there one day in the future, when Ukraine is enjoying peace throughout the land.

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Context: House Hansard - 20 - Jan/31/22

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant

Jan/31/22 8:51:35 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, first of all, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his service in the Canadian military and his academics on the subject. Yes, I do agree with him. I have nothing but courage, and I look to the actions of the Ukrainian people and their indomitable spirit as they go ahead to create a land and live in a land that is free.

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Context: House Hansard - 20 - Jan/31/22

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant

Jan/31/22 8:52:40 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, we could continue showing our support and training the troops there. One of the things we could do is provide them with RADARSAT imagery so they can see more clearly what is forming in front of them and then protect themselves more fully.

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Context: House Hansard - 20 - Jan/31/22

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant

Jan/31/22 8:53:52 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, the Ukrainian people are facing a military on land, sea and air. On land alone there are upwards of 130,000 troops. Their numbers are far smaller. I am confident that what we have done in the past is helping them greatly, but 2014 came as a total surprise. In fact, I was at a NATO meeting at that time and they were all enjoying the peace dividend. That was a warning. During the night, little green men came across the border and everybody was shocked. Now we should not be shocked when it happens, if it happens. We still pray that calmer minds will prevail. However, we are with the people, no matter what.

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