44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 28, 2022 11:00AM
- Feb/28/22 2:33:10 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for raising the issue of Arctic sovereignty, which our government takes extremely seriously.
We are making landmark investments in this area, conducting joint exercises in the Arctic, purchasing six Arctic offshore patrol ships and enhancing surveillance. We will remain firm and unwavering in the protection of our Arctic, including in modernizing NORAD.
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- Feb/28/22 2:35:19 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, in this age of information and disinformation, I think it is important for us to be aware of the facts.
Canada delivered, successfully, $7 million worth of lethal aid to Ukraine prior to the onset of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. I want this House of Commons to know that not only did we deliver that $7 million of aid, we also delivered $3 million of non-lethal aid and $700 million of economic support. We stand united with Ukraine.
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- Feb/28/22 2:36:47 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have had multiple conversations with defence minister Reznikov from Ukraine, and we have provided support that Ukraine has requested, including lethal and non-lethal aid, including economic and financial aid, and we are in constant touch with Ukraine. In fact, Minister Reznikov called Canada a very, very dear friend, and I look forward to continuing to support him and his country in this time of need.
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- Feb/28/22 2:37:52 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Canada will continue to work with its American partners to modernize NORAD so we can face current and future challenges related to Arctic protection and sovereignty. That is why budget 2021 includes $252.2 million as an initial investment.
We will continue to work with our American partners to ensure our Arctic sovereignty.
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- Feb/28/22 2:39:16 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, cyber-attacks are part of Russia's strategy. It is essential that we strengthen our cybersecurity and protect our critical infrastructure. The Communications Security Establishment has the tools it needs to protect Canada and Canadians. I meet regularly with the chief of CSE.
We are here to protect cybersecurity for Canadians.
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- Feb/28/22 2:41:47 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we continue to work with our partners.
We will continue to impose sanctions. We have already trained more than 33,000 Ukrainian soldiers. We have provided significant financial assistance. We have sent lethal and non-lethal aid, and we are strengthening our work in NATO in the west.
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- Feb/28/22 6:42:26 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, Putin's actions over the past week are appalling for all of us who stand for peace, security and democracy.
I would like to send my very best to President Zelensky, Minister Reznikov and the Ukrainian people for their strong resistance against Putin's ruthless aggression and unnecessary war.
I know that many Canadians are watching Putin's appalling attacks on the Ukrainian people and want to know how they can help and what we as a government are doing to help.
Russia is a direct threat not only to the people of Ukraine but also to global safety and stability. In the face of this brutal assault on the Ukrainian people, our support for Ukraine is unwavering.
From day one, Canada has been there for the army and people of Ukraine. We have consistently supported Ukraine and our NATO allies in the face of this unprovoked attack by Russia.
We have provided lethal and non-lethal equipment to bolster their defences. Canada has pledged millions of dollars in defensive military equipment to Ukraine. First, $23 million in equipment has been delivered since 2015. Second, $10 million in equipment was delivered earlier this month, including sniper rifles and ammunition.
Third, just yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and I announced an additional $25 million in non-lethal aid, including night vision gear, helmets and body armour. These items have been specifically requested by the Ukrainian government, and we are stepping up to meet its needs alongside our allies.
To support the delivery of aid and to contribute to NATO efforts in Europe, Canada is also providing two C-130J tactical airlift aircraft for a minimum of two weeks. One of these aircraft departed Canada for Europe today and the other will follow later this week.
At the request of Ukraine and in coordination with NATO allies, we announced today that we are committing additional lethal aid to Ukraine, including at least 100 anti-tank weapon systems and 2,000 rockets, which we are working to deliver as quickly as possible in the coming days.
We are also boosting our support for NATO's eastern flank while waiting for Operation Reassurance.
To date, the Canadian Armed Forces have delivered well over 700 training sessions throughout Operation Unifier: Canada's military training mission in Ukraine. In addition, we have 3,400 soldiers at the ready in case they are called up by NATO to serve for our alliance in a defensive and deterrent posture.
Canada is not alone in this mission to help Ukraine. NATO allies are more united than ever. The world has become a dangerous place, and while these dangers can feel far away to Canadians, these are tumultuous times. We must unite as a country and redouble our efforts to support our allies. We stand with the people of Ukraine. We will continue to support them in the face of unwarranted Russian aggression.
Slava Ukraini.
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- Feb/28/22 6:47:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I must say it is heartening to see politics put aside in times of crisis.
In response to the member's questions directly, we are working to get this lethal aid into the hands of Ukrainian soldiers as soon as possible. In order to do that, we are working very closely with our allies to ensure safe passage of the lethal aid, as well as safe delivery to the Canadian Armed Forces and to Ukrainian soldiers as well.
In terms of the member's question relating to the inventory itself, the lethal aid that we have announced today does come from existing inventory. I will continue to reiterate that all hands are on deck. We are continuing to ensure that we are responding as quickly as possible to the requests of the Ukrainian government. My conversations with Minister Reznikov over the past number of weeks have been instrumental in allowing us to know precisely what Ukraine needs and how we can best deliver it to them.
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- Feb/28/22 6:49:39 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the Canadian Armed Forces are ready to help Ukrainians who leave their country.
We have already imposed increasingly harsher sanctions, we have trained more than 33,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and we have given and delivered significant financial aid. We have also delivered lethal and non‑lethal aid. We have provided cyber-support. That is very important in today's urgent situations. Finally, we have contributed to bolstering NATO'S eastern flank through Operation Reassurance.
The Canadian Armed Forces are always ready, and we are there for the Ukrainian people.
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- Feb/28/22 6:51:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we know that these attacks, cyber-attacks included, are part of the Russian playbook.
We have been watching Russian escalation at the Ukrainian border for months. We are very well prepared, in terms of our intelligence and connections with the Ukrainian government, to document the loss of life. More important, however, is making sure that we are stepping up with humanitarian and economic aid, and ensuring safe passage for Ukrainians as they leave Ukraine.
We are doing all three. We have provided over $700-million worth of economic and humanitarian aid thus far alone, and we are also ensuring safe passage for Ukrainians as they leave their country.
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