SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 20

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
January 31, 2022 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 20 - Jan/31/22
Mr. Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard, CPC)
  • Jan/31/22 10:50:44 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, I will speak in French as a sign of respect for our country's languages. I want to comment on the debate over whether Ukraine's allies could supply weapons to Ukraine in an attempt to make Russia think twice before deciding to invade. I believe that this would make a difference in diplomacy. Just look at President Trump's meeting with President Putin in recent years. I think that did a lot of damage to diplomacy in Europe and America. It was a huge victory for Russia, which broadcast propaganda around the world, including here in Canada, via Russia Today, a 24-hour propaganda channel. We cannot forget that Russia has already fought two wars in Chechnya, sending 50,000 troops to fight each of those wars. Now, there are nearly 130,000 troops on the Ukraine-Russia and Belarus-Ukraine borders, and those soldiers are not normally there. These are tactical combat units deployed from all across the Russian Federation. I think we need to be cautious in our diplomacy and avoid playing into the hands of Mr. Putin and the Russian Federation, which is preparing for a larger war while we spend our time talking. Dialogue can have a diplomatic role in a war that might happen later, in a few weeks or months. We do not know. That is up to them. We must remain vigilant so we can recognize when an adversary is using our time and our focus on diplomacy against us.
250 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Christine Normandin
  • Jan/31/22 10:52:58 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, in fact, the Bloc Québécois's position is to not close the door entirely on the use of weapons. Nor did I say that that should follow diplomatic efforts. Both things can actually be done in parallel. They have to be done in parallel, because if there is a shipment of weapons, the message needs to be properly received. We can send weapons and maybe irritate Russia more than anything else. However, if we do this and say we are prepared for the consequences, then there are things that can be done on their side so that we can talk. Both approaches have to be taken at the same time. I am not trying to prioritize which of these things needs to be done first. I believe they can and should be done at the same time.
143 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lindsay Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe, NDP)
  • Jan/31/22 10:53:46 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, I would also like to ask the question in French, but I do not know if I would communicate as effectively, especially at this late hour, so I am going to stick to English. Forgive me; I will work on it. One of the questions that I asked my Conservative colleague on the defence committee earlier in the debate is one I would like to ask my hon. colleague in the Bloc, and I do appreciate her work on the defence committee as well. Working together has been good so far. Ultimately, there has been a huge lack of Liberal leadership when it comes to the men and women who are serving in the armed forces. There is a lot of doubt about whether it is safe. Women who have served are giving up their entire careers because they cannot go forward. We have talked about that retention and recruitment problem. An additional stress is put on the women as we expand and amplify the Operation Unifier mission. I would like to hear her comments and her thoughts on what we need to do from our end to better support the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and to ensure that the Liberal Party and the Liberal government do the same.
215 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Christine Normandin
  • Jan/31/22 10:55:02 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for the question. I will take this opportunity to mention that we work really well together at the Standing Committee on National Defence. That is part of what all members want to work on, in other words, recruitment and retention within the Canadian Armed Forces. It is about improving the image of the forces, which has been tarnished over the past few years. It is important for the protection of Canadians and Quebeckers here at home, but also for our ability to respond internationally when required, especially in a context of climate change. There is a risk of increasing pressure on many levels. Is it not the role of the forces to intervene in those cases? It is worth discussing. However, we will not be able to intervene if there is no one in the forces, and we see that is currently a challenge.
150 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Chair
  • Jan/31/22 10:55:51 p.m.
  • Watch
It being 10:55 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 53(1), the committee will rise.
16 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Assistant Deputy Speaker (Mrs. Carol Hughes)
  • Jan/31/22 10:57:00 p.m.
  • Watch
Accordingly this House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1). (The House adjourned at 10:56 p.m.)
25 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border