44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 28, 2022 11:00AM
- Feb/28/22 2:20:05 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, the situation in Ukraine is heartbreaking and growing more troubling by the hour. We know it is constantly evolving, and although Conservatives support the government's actions to date, we do believe there are things that could have been done faster. Many of the government's actions were too little, too late. One thing we are asking the Canadian government to do right away is to expel Russia's ambassador to Canada and recall our ambassador from Russia.
Will the government commit to doing that immediately?
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- Feb/28/22 2:22:13 p.m.
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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.
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- Feb/28/22 2:24:16 p.m.
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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?
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- Feb/28/22 7:03:22 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Portage—Lisgar for her comments and for her description of the situation. However, the only way for parties to resolve a conflict is through dialogue.
I would like to know why my colleague is so insistent that the ambassador or his representatives be sent back to Russia when that will ultimately only disrupt the dialogue.
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- Feb/28/22 7:03:49 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I agree that in some ways it is symbolic. However, in our world order, it is an important symbolic gesture and an actual action to make. Sending an ambassador home and recalling an ambassador sends a strong message that the country and the leader of that country, in this case Russia, are being isolated. I do not believe we can negotiate with Putin. I do not think diplomacy works with him. That has been made very clear.
To answer the member's question, we all agree it is, in a sense, a gesture, but it is an important one. I could be wrong, and the government could have more information on this, but maybe the Russian ambassador to Canada is saying something to our government right now or will say something publicly against Putin. I have not heard that, but I think we would very much welcome it. That could change our position. However, at this point, we have not heard the Russian ambassador say anything against what Putin is doing, which means he is onside. In that case, he needs to leave the country, and it is our government that needs to expel him.
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- Feb/28/22 8:37:47 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, Vladimir Putin needs to understand that his invasion of Ukraine is totally unacceptable, and Russia needs to become a pariah on the world stage, just like North Korea.
Will the government expel the Russian ambassador to Canada and at the same time recall Canada's ambassador to Russia?
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- Feb/28/22 8:38:10 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, as the hon. member knows, I do not speak for the government on this issue. However, in my view, that would depend on whether or not we believe the Canadian ambassador in Russia, who would clearly be expelled if we expelled the Russian ambassador, is able to find things out on the ground that we need to know. I have no personal objection to strongly considering the expulsion of the ambassador, but I think there are other things we need to do that are far more important, such as making sure that sanctions are imposed in the strongest manner against Russia and making sure there is so much pressure that Russians try to overthrow Putin. Finally, I am in agreement that Russia should not be part of international organizations as long as the Putin regime is in place.
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- Feb/28/22 9:18:41 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, many stakeholders have called for the expulsion of the Russian ambassador from Canada. I am wondering if the hon. member could give us his thoughts on that measure.
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- Feb/28/22 9:50:28 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for her speech.
Given her familiarity with military matters, I would like her opinion on a proposal her party put forward earlier to expel the Russian ambassador to Canada and recall the Canadian ambassador presently in Russia.
Does she not think that any approach to conflict resolution requires at least some dialogue and communication? Does she think it would really be productive to expel an ambassador rather than maintain that contact?
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- Feb/28/22 9:51:10 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, yes, I do think the ambassador should be expelled at this point and that we should recall ours.
Yes, dialogue is always important, but this is a ruthless, tyrannical dictator who is now in charge of an enormous army, the second-largest military force in the world. He has shown over and over again that he is not interested in dialogue. He is not interested in talking. There have been all kinds of opportunities for that dialogue. I am always one who pushes for dialogue and for talking and not going that extra step unless we have to, but this person is not listening at this point. If he shows any indication at all of being willing to listen, there are avenues for us to make that happen.
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