44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 28, 2022 11:00AM
- Feb/28/22 2:21:33 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we agree with the minister wholeheartedly. We think there are more things we can do to help Ukrainian people. Ukrainians are fleeing their country and they are looking for a safe place, but we know they do not want to be permanent refugees. They want to be able to live in a safe, peaceful and sovereign Ukraine.
Canadians and Canada can be a safe haven for them. We have the opportunity right now to host Ukrainians who are being displaced by the Putin invasion. One of the things that we could do is allow visa-free travel for Ukrainians coming to Canada. Will the government commit today to remove the requirements for visas for Ukrainians coming to Canada?
120 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:22:13 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, in her previous question, the Leader of the Opposition asked about the Russian ambassador, and I would like to address that.
Now is a time when everyone in the world must pick a side. A few brave Russian officials have spoken out against Putin's barbaric war. We encourage all Russians to oppose this war. Silence is complicity and following orders is not an excuse. When it comes to Canada's response, everything is on the table.
79 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:22:52 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, we look forward to a decision from the government on that very quickly.
Many are saying what we have been saying for a long time and that is that Canada and the world need to end their dependency on Russian oil and gas. Canada imports almost $1 million worth of Russian oil every day. The Prime Minister has spent the last six years waging a war on Canadian oil and gas. That needs to end. It is bad for Canada, and it is bad for the world. It only helps Russia.
When will the Prime Minister stop our dependency on Russian oil and instead work to get Canadian oil and gas to the world?
116 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:23:34 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, today Canada, together with our allies, took unprecedented action against a world-leading economy. We have hamstrung Russia's central bank, thus depriving Putin of access to his war chest. We have shown that sanctions do work and fortress Russia is exposed.
We agree that oil and gas do fund Putin's war machine, and we are working on that too.
63 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:24:16 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Putin's regime has gone too far, and the West must take action. We are witnessing the biggest war in Europe since the Second World War. Russian troops and aircraft have attacked Ukrainian civilians in defiance of international law.
We believe the government can and should do more. Putin's regime can no longer enjoy a relationship with Canada. Will the Prime Minister declare the Russian ambassador to Canada persona non grata and immediately recall our ambassador from Moscow?
81 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:24:47 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak directly to the brave people of Ukraine. Canada and Canadians are united in their support for the brave people of Ukraine and their extraordinary president. Ukrainians are fighting for themselves and for all of us. I would like to take this opportunity to say how deeply everyone in Canada admires and respects them.
Slava Ukraini!
62 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:25:29 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, my legislative assistant has family and friends in Ukraine. He told me how hard it is for the Ukrainians who have been displaced by the conflict to get to safety.
According to him, taxi drivers in Moldova are providing free taxi services at the border, hotels in Poland are providing free lodgings, and Romania is setting up camps to house Ukrainians. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians may flee the country before the war is over.
The Government of Canada is expected to make an announcement today. What will Canada do today to help displaced Ukrainians?
97 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:26:01 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I, too, have family in Ukraine. Our Canadian family spoke with our Ukrainian family on Saturday morning. We want to help our family in Ukraine and find a way for them to come to Canada. However, our family in Ukraine is refusing. They said they wanted to stay there because they feel they need to fight for freedom.
We must help any Ukrainians who want to come to Canada, but we also need to help those who choose to stay in Ukraine.
84 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:26:49 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Bloc Québécois, I once again condemn Russia for its inhumane and unjustified attack on Ukraine. I would also like to express our solidarity and, I believe, the solidarity of the entire Quebec nation with the Ukrainian people in their courageous resistance.
History is waiting for us to do everything we can today to help the people of Ukraine protect their country and their families. I therefore offer the Deputy Prime Minister the Bloc Québécois's unwavering support to maximize aid to Ukraine and sanctions against its aggressors.
Can the Deputy Prime Minister provide details on what she expects from the opposition?
115 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:27:24 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I think Quebeckers and Ukrainians share an enormous affinity and really understand one another.
I want to thank my colleagues for their remarks. Together with our allies, we imposed unprecedented sanctions on the Russian economy today. Fortress Russia is exposed. It is a myth.
46 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:28:01 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, this is not only a war, but also a humanitarian crisis. Over 500,000 people have already fled Ukraine, and the European Union fears this number could rise to seven million.
The government can do more for these families. It can remove visa requirements to speed up the arrival of Ukrainians who want to take temporary refuge in Canada. It can automatically extend all existing permits and visas to alleviate concerns.
Will the Deputy Prime Minister maximize the Bloc Québécois's support and do everything possible to help these displaced persons?
99 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:28:38 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, our government understands on a personal level that Ukraine is also experiencing a humanitarian crisis.
We also understand that Canada has a duty to help Ukrainians by providing a safe haven for them. That is why we have already begun to welcome Ukrainians, including those here in Canada who can no longer return home.
56 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:29:54 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, more than half a million refugees have left Ukraine in the wake of the brutal invasion launched by Vladimir Putin. They are travelling in crowded trains, by car, and sometimes on foot, carrying hastily packed luggage, especially women and children. These people are seeking refuge while Putin is bombing their homes.
The Liberals have turned their backs on refugees in the past and recently. The Ukrainian people need our help. Will the Prime Minister reduce red tape, suspend visa requirements and welcome Ukrainians who have been forced to leave their country because of Vladimir Putin's attack?
99 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:30:33 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question. I am very pleased that the House has reached a unanimous agreement today and that all parties, including the Conservative Party, the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and obviously our government, support Ukraine and the courageous people of Ukraine. It is important, and I am proud of us.
As far as Ukrainian refugees are concerned, we are there for them. We have already done a lot, and we will continue to do more. They need our help, and they will get it.
94 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:31:12 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canadians are watching in horror as hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians seek refuge from the unprovoked Russian invasion.
The Liberals cannot recreate the disaster in Afghanistan, where those who risked everything to help our country were left behind. The European Union and, most recently, Ireland have already waived the requirements for visas for Ukrainians, and the NDP has been calling on the Liberals to do the same. However, this morning, immigration officials said that it is not even on the table.
Time is of the essence. Will the government immediately waive visa requirements for Ukrainians?
97 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:31:50 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member opposite that the world is watching in horror at what is happening in Ukraine, but I am also watching in pride at the incredibly brave resistance of the people of Ukraine.
It is important for us to say that we continue to support them in their fight. When it comes to refugees, of course Canada is there for Ukrainians. We have been and we will be, and we will have more to say soon.
81 words
All Topics
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:32:31 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canada, like Ukraine, shares a border with Russia, our Arctic.
We can no longer afford to take our sovereignty and security for granted. Russia considers the Arctic to be its most important theatre, its most important region, and has spent considerable resources over the last decade building up capabilities there.
Will the government now act urgently to protect Canadian sovereignty and security by purchasing the F-35 jets, by fixing our naval shipbuilding program, and by immediately modernizing NORAD's early warning system?
85 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:33:10 p.m.
- Watch
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.
62 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:33:40 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the government is not participating in joint military exercises between the United States and Scandinavian countries that have been taking place over the last year in the Arctic.
Russia supplies 40% of Europe's natural gas and uses this to threaten European democracies by threatening to cut off gas. Canada is the fifth-largest natural gas producer in the world.
Will the government now commit to fixing our broken pipeline approval process so that we can get new pipelines built to Atlantic tidewater and come to the assistance of European democracies by replacing Russian gas with Canadian natural gas?
101 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
- Feb/28/22 2:34:23 p.m.
- Watch
Mr. Speaker, the current situation in Ukraine certainly underscores the importance of energy security for Canada and for its allies.
We are working very closely with our colleagues in the United States and in Europe to not only address short-term energy volatility but also to explore long-term energy options.
51 words
- Hear!
- Rabble!
- add
- star_border
- share
