SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 38

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
March 1, 2022 10:00AM
  • Mar/1/22 2:20:23 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, Russia's egregious and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is a direct challenge to democracy. It is why the Minister of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador to express extreme concern and disagreement with Russia's actions. Canada will continue to use all tools at its disposal to make sure that these illegal acts are not left unpunished. The people of Ukraine have the right to their sovereignty and territorial integrity and the right to live free without fear.
80 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:20:54 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, we expect the government to take serious action and expel that ambassador. Thousands of Ukrainians have fled their country and they are searching for safety. Ukrainians do not want to be permanent refugees. They want to return to their home, a sovereign and democratic Ukraine, but they need protection now. Canada has always been a welcoming place for those displaced by war. Will the Prime Minister commit today to allowing visa-free travel for Ukrainians who are wanting to come to Canada and find a safe haven?
89 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:21:30 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, Canada is steadfast in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We have been priority processing applications from Ukraine and bolstering operational capacity in the region, which has allowed us to approve more applications from Ukrainian nationals. In addition to establishing a dedicated service channel for Ukraine, inquiries regarding Ukraine are prioritized and we are continuing to work on more measures, as the situation unfolds, that will ensure that Ukrainians can flee to safety.
79 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:22:06 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is a little hard getting a direct answer from the Prime Minister today. Let us try another question. Safety, security and sovereignty must all be top priorities for any government, and it should be Canada's priority, especially now. The longer Canadian oil, gas and LNG stay in the ground, the bigger Putin's wallet gets and the more countries like Ukraine and others will continue to be hurt and threatened by Russian aggression. More than ever, the world needs Canadian energy. Will the Prime Minister commit today to changing his political direction, and will he begin to support the extraction and exportation of Canadian oil, gas and LNG?
112 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:22:50 p.m.
  • Watch
The right hon. Prime Minister.
5 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:22:52 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, as a government, we have been there for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador and their energy sectors. We are actually moving forward with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which the Conservatives could not get approved and could not get built. We are going to continue to work to ensure that we are supporting workers in the energy industry, even as we ensure that we are moving forward in ways that reduce carbon from our atmosphere and create a better future with good jobs for everyone. Canada has a significant role to play in the world. We will continue to play it with Europe and with other allies as well.
111 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:23:32 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, when the Prime Minister invoked the Emergencies Act on February 14, Conservatives and others said it clearly did not meet the legal threshold. Legal tools were already available to move the trucks from Ottawa. The Prime Minister moved ahead to invoke the act and even attached confidence to the vote. Less than 48 hours after that vote, he revoked it, which proves he used the Emergencies Act for his own political gain. Is it not true the Prime Minister used a legislative sledgehammer on our country for his own political advantage?
93 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:24:08 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, the Emergencies Act enabled local authorities to end the illegal blockades. We have heard from the commissioner of the RCMP, police chiefs, experts and political leadership that it was essential to the police response, and that it offered precision and clarity as they did their important work. Even after all this has ended, Conservative MPs still cannot pick a lane. Canadians want to know: Do they stand with blockaders or do they stand with Canadian communities?
78 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:24:44 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, here is a lane we would like the Prime Minister to pick from. Today is March 1 and, as of today, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia have all lifted their vaccine mandates and other provinces are following suit. Why? Because it is safe to do so and they care about mental health and their economies. Here at the federal level, we have a Liberal government that is dragging its knuckles because it has become so backward and regressive in its thinking when it comes to the need for restrictions. When will the Liberals come out of the dark ages and see that vaccine mandates are so yesterday? When are they going to go remove the federal mandates?
121 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:25:26 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we ground our decisions in science. We continue to believe that keeping Canadians safe is extremely important. However, I will highlight that Canada has made significant movements on restrictions at the border to enable more Canadians to travel safely and less onerously when they come home. We will continue to look carefully at other measures we can lift or move forward on to ensure that Canadians continue to be safe while getting back to the things they love. Canadians expect their governments to keep them safe. That is exactly what we are doing.
101 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:26:09 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, it seems the Russian tyrant's pride has been wounded and now he is waging a brutal, extremely violent attack on a peaceful people. The international community, including Canada, has imposed very strong sanctions, which I applaud. However, those sanctions must not be temporary measures that, after a quick victory, enable the Russian tyrant to save face. Do we agree that the sanctions must be maintained until the last Russian soldier has left Ukraine?
76 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:26:48 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question and his stance. We could not agree more. This is not just about the territorial integrity of Ukraine. It is about the rule of law and the principles behind the United Nations and the Charter. We need to be there to uphold those principles, and we will keep the sanctions in place until Russia recognizes that it made a huge mistake and withdraws its soldiers from every part of Ukraine.
79 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:27:25 p.m.
  • Watch
I appreciate that answer, Mr. Speaker. There is another issue. Does the Prime Minister agree that, in any circumstance, especially given what we are witnessing in Ukraine, it would be irresponsible to use the war and its humanitarian consequences as an opportunity to promote oil exports from Western Canada?
50 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:27:54 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, in Canada, we import negligible amounts of Russian oil and gas. That was blocked with the sanctions we imposed a few days ago. The fact is, Europe still relies very heavily on Russian oil and gas. We, the whole world, have to try to give Europe alternatives to what Russia has to offer. We know very well that we are moving towards net zero for the global economy, but we are not there yet. We will be there with the resources needed to help our European friends.
90 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:28:41 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, Ukrainians are facing a disastrous crisis. Canada must stand up to President Putin and his unjust, unprovoked war. The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Belarus for its role in this war. Is the Prime Minister ready to introduce sanctions against Belarus?
45 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:29:14 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, we announced sanctions against Russia several days ago, but we also added sanctions against Belarus, because we know that it was an accomplice and even a partner in this invasion of Ukraine. Our sanctions against the Belarusian government and the oligarchs who profit from it are present and severe. We will always keep trying to do more to sanction Belarus for its complicity.
66 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:29:54 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, we are witnessing a humanitarian crisis unfold in Ukraine, and Canada has to do everything we can in our power to support people in need. One of the things we can do is support Ukrainians who are seeking refuge in Canada. Will the Prime Minister commit to a simple, straightforward, barrier-free process for Ukrainians who are seeking solace and refuge in Canada?
65 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:30:29 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, over the past number of weeks, seeing the terrifying possibility of what has come to pass, we have actually been preparing with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and our consular resources to ensure there are capacities to treat Ukrainian requests much more quickly. We are processing a higher number of visas and permits and we are looking at creating new programs to further fast-track applications of people who are fleeing from this terrible conflict. Canada will always stand with Ukrainians.
83 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:31:03 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, in these times of crisis, Canadians deserve real answers from their government. Today, instead of answering when asked if Canada intends to expel the Russian ambassador, the Prime Minister evaded the question. Yesterday, when she was asked the same question, the Minister of Finance said that everything was on the table. Let us see what is on the table. For six days Ukraine has been invaded, for six days Putin’s regime has violated international law, and for six days the Russian ambassador has been silent and complicit in war crimes. Does the government plan to expel the Russian ambassador from Canada and recall our ambassador from Moscow, yes or no?
114 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
  • Mar/1/22 2:31:42 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, Russia's egregious and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is a direct challenge to all of us, to the international rules-based order, to democracy and to people who care about human rights and social justice everywhere. That is why our foreign affairs minister summoned the ambassador from Russia to hear her opinion immediately and directly. Canada will continue to have that dialogue but will also remind Russia every day of its responsibilities, of the absolute need for Russia to stand up and be accountable, and Russia will be punished.
91 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border