Parliamentary Declarations in 2023

1. Statements made on the introduction of legislation / Déclarations sur l’introduction de la législation

A. Bill S-9 / Loi S-9: Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act / Loi de mise en œuvre de la Convention sur les armes chimiques

B. Bill C-34 / Loi C-34: National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act / Loi sur la modernisation de l’examen des investissements relativement à la sécurité nationale

C. Bill C-57 / Loi C-57: Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 2023 / Loi de mise en œuvre de l’Accord de libre-échange Canada-Ukraine de 2023

2. Statements in response to questions / Déclarations en réponse aux questions

A. Environment / Environnement

1. i. Biodiversity / Biodiversité

2. ii. Climate Change / Changement climatique

B. Foreign affairs / Affaires étrangères

1. i. Arctic Sovereignty / Souveraineté de l’Arctique

2. ii. Armenia / Arménie

3. iii. China / Chine

4. iv. Iran

5. v. Israel / Israël

6. vi. NATO / OTAN

7. vii. Russia / Russie

8. viii. Taiwan / Taïwan

9. ix. Ukraine

10. x. United Nations / Nations Unies

C. Health / Santé

1. i. Seniors / Personnes âgées

D. Human rights / Droits de la personne

1. i. Immigration

2. ii. Sudan / Soudan

3. iii. Women’s rights / Droits des femmes

E. International humanitarian law / Droit international humanitaire

1. i. Afghanistan

2. ii. Armenia / Arménie

3. iii. Border security / Sécurité des frontières

4. iv. Gaza

5. v. Pakistan

6. vi. Syria / Syrie

F. Trade and economy / Commerce et économie

1. i. “Buy America”

2. ii. Foreign investment / Investissements étrangers

3. iii. Labour and trade / Travail et commerce

4. iv. Telecommunications / Télécommunications

5. v. Tourism / Tourisme

6. vi. Trade agreements / Accords commerciaux

   1. (a) Indo-Pacific / Indo-Pacifique

   2. (b) Ukraine

1. Statements made on the introduction of legislation / Déclarations sur l’introduction de la législation

A. Bill S-9 / Loi S-9: An Act to Amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act / Loi modifiant la Loi de mise en œuvre de la Convention sur les armes chimiques ¹

Hon. Robert Oliphant (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs):

[A]n act that would amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act [represents] important efforts to eliminate the use of chemical weapons globally…. On the eve of the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare, … the bill [will] modernize the very act that would help those victims…. It also includes novichok, a deadly nerve agent implicated in multiple poisonings likely conducted by Russia….

More than a century ago, during the second battle of Ypres, Canadian soldiers were among the very first in human history to fall victim to the horrors of chemical warfare when 160 tonnes of chlorine gas were released toward Canadian lines. By the end of the battle, 6,035 young Canadians, more than one in three, were killed or wounded by the new and terrifying weapon. By the end of the conflict, more than a million people suffered the effects of this new kind of warfare: chemical warfare.

Today, as we see the devastating images of the victims of war and conflict like never before from Khartoum to Kyiv to Khan Younis, it is incumbent on all of us to do what we can to promote peace and to work vigorously toward a world free of chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The use of chemical weapons to injure or kill is a vile act of barbarism and regrettably one that, despite our best efforts, has not yet been confined to the annals of history.

While the use of chemicals in war has a long history dating back to ancient times, advances in science and technology, with the possibility of creating so much good for so many people, have also been harnessed on an industrial scale to cause death and destruction. Thankfully, at the conclusion of the conflict, the Geneva Protocol was launched, which prohibited the use in war of either of these categories of weapons of mass destruction.

The way in which the consequences of chemical weapons on the battlefield left no one untouched demonstrated the sheer inhumanity of these types of weapons. However, the protocol did not prohibit their development or production. Consequently, for decades to follow, countries continued to develop massive chemical weapons stockpiles.

After more than two decades of effort, on September 3, 1992, the text of a Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction was sent to the General Assembly of the United Nations by the UN Conference on Disarmament.

Canada signed it on the very first day, January 13, 1993, and proceeded to fully ratify it. The Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force on April 29, 1997. That same year, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, OPCW, was formed to oversee the convention’s implementation, supervise destruction of declared chemical weapons stockpiles and inspect the world’s chemical industries to help ensure chemical weapons would never return.

Thirty years later, the Chemical Weapons Convention remains a key pillar of the rules-based international system. More than 190 states are party to it, making it the most widely adopted treaty on non-proliferation and disarmament. The convention’s prohibitions are clear and comprehensive. No country party to the convention may develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or use chemical weapons. They may not transfer chemical weapons to another party or otherwise enable another country or non-state actor to develop them. It affirms the right for all parties to engage in the free trade of chemicals and technology for peaceful purposes and that the prohibition on chemical weapons should not hamper unnecessarily the growth of the chemical industry and progress in chemical research. We need that as human beings. On that latter point, the OPCW employs numerous programs to promote chemical science and chemical industry, all for peaceful purposes, around the globe.

As of July 2023, the OPCW supervised and verified the destruction of 100% of the world’s declared chemical weapons.

Unfortunately, the legal prohibition has not yet fully eliminated the risk of chemical weapon use. Since the CWC entered into force, chemical weapons have been used in multiple instances, even by countries that are party to the convention.

Competent international bodies, including the OPCW-UN joint investigation mechanism and the OPCW investigation and identification team have concluded that the Syrian Arab Republic used both the chemical warfare agent sarin and the toxic industrial chemical chlorine as weapons against opposition forces on no fewer than nine occasions and likely more.

The terrorist group Daesh used mustard gas in both Syria and Iraq. Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was assassinated with the nerve agent venomous agent X, or VX, in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in February 2017, an act widely believed to have been orchestrated by the North Korean state.

In March 2018, a more complicated development occurred. Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military intelligence officer living in the United Kingdom, and his daughter, were found to have been poisoned by novichok, an extremely toxic nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union. The attempt at assassination left both Skripals and police detective Nick Bailey in the hospital for several months.

The novichok was believed to have been administered to the front door of Mr. Skripal’s house using a perfume bottle, subsequently discarded in a public bin, which, when discovered by a local, believing it to be perfume, resulted in two further hospitalizations and the death of Dawn Sturgess. When the police recovered the bottle from Ms. Sturgess’s home in nearby Amesbury, they assessed it to contain sufficient novichok to kill thousands of people. Eight locations had to be decontaminated to remove any trace of novichok, taking several months and costing millions of pounds.

Canada and its allies concluded that the state agencies of the Russian Federation were highly likely responsible for that attack. The British government identified and indicted, in absentia, three Russian intelligence agents.

Canada condemned the attack. The Prime Minister and then-foreign affairs minister issued statements. Four Russian diplomats were expelled from the Russian embassy in Ottawa and the consulate general in Montreal as part of an unprecedented collective response.

In total, 153 Russian diplomats were expelled from 29 countries, including some accredited to the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

The Chemical Weapons Convention contains an annex on chemicals, a list covering most chemical warfare agents and their precursors across three schedules.

Schedule 1 chemicals have only one use: to injure, to kill. They cannot be used in industry and so are prohibited from all purposes except for research and training for protection and defence against themselves, against chemical weapons.

Schedules 2 and 3 chemicals have increasing use in industry and so are subject to fewer controls, with the goal of preventing chemical weapons proliferation while avoiding unnecessarily hampering industry and trade and the benefit of humanity.

At the time of the Salisbury attack, novichoks were not on the annex on chemicals, thus not subject to declaration and verification requirements. It must be made clear that a novichok, as a weapon, indeed, any toxic chemical as a weapon, has always been a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, in accordance with the broad definition of a chemical weapon in article II.

Still, Canada and our close allies quickly took the position that the world would be much safer if novichoks were subject to OPCW monitoring like any other chemical warfare agent.

On November 29, 2019, as the result of tremendous leadership by Canada, the United States and the Netherlands, the Twenty-Fourth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention took the unprecedented decision to add four new categories of toxic chemicals to schedule 1.

This included the novichok used in the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal. As a result of this amendment, states handling novichoks for defensive purposes such as research, development and testing of new protective gear or medical countermeasures or training police or armed forces in responding to their use must declare their activities to the OPCW and be subject to verification.

This amendment is also symbolic. The toxic chemical used as a weapon in Salisbury is now included in the same list of chemical weapons as sarin, mustard and VX.

The additions to the CWC’s “Annex on Chemicals” came into force on June 7, 2020. The Chemical Weapons Convention requires that all states parties put in place domestic legislation to apply the convention’s prohibitions to their citizens and all people on their territory. That is what Bill S-9 is about.

In Canada, this is done through the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, which makes it illegal for anyone in Canada, as well as Canadian citizens abroad, to develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain, transfer, use, prepare to use or assist in the use of chemical weapons.

It also prohibits Canadians from producing, possessing or using schedule 1 chemicals without explicit government authorization. Since June 7, 2020, this has included the four recently added categories. The CWCIA still contains a copy of the convention’s original annex on chemicals, which has been out of date since 2020.

While subsection 2(3) states unambiguously that the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention take precedence should there be disagreement with the act, it is important for us to fix this discrepancy and show leadership on this important issue in this place. To this end, Bill S-9 seeks to repeal the schedule from the act, and repeal or amend two subsections that reference it. These changes would not just realign Canadian legislation with our international obligations but also future-proof it in case of further amendments in the future….

This legislation alone does not eliminate the risk of foreign states, such as Russia; non-signatories; or non-state actors, such as terrorist groups, using chemical weapons for nefarious purposes. It does, however, underscore Canada’s steadfast support for the Chemical Weapons Convention and for other key agreements that form an essential part of the rules-based system that keep Canada, all Canadians and our allies safe….

Canada can be proud of our leadership on these important issues, which also includes former foreign minister Lloyd Axworthy’s landmark work on the Ottawa treaty to ban land mines; the launch of the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, which occurred when former prime minister Chrétien hosted the world leaders in Kananaskis in 2002; and work to spearhead the international convention prohibiting cluster munitions. These are all important, critical parts of keeping our world safe.

Another critical tool is diplomacy, which cannot help but strengthen our ability to maintain the safety and security of Canada and Canadians. We must work with allies and our partners to keep our world safe through a world security infrastructure. That is why we increased our footprint in the world. Diplomacy leads to better activity, which leads to a lesser degree of peace in our world being threatened. That is why we continue to do all that work.

We have missions around the world; our diplomats regularly coordinate with our allies and partners, as well as engaging host governments on the importance of buttressing our work on this convention. It was through concerted advocacy around the world that we were able to adapt the convention to the modern realities of today’s world. It is through diplomacy that we continue to build peace. It is a trying challenge. It is something that we need to commit to every day in this place. It means we continue to monitor the situation, adapt and take legislation we have in this House, this place and this government, and adapt it to modern realities.

Our words need to be backed by meaningful actions, notably through funding the weapons threat reduction program housed within Global Affairs Canada. It represents Canada’s flagship contribution to the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, hosted by former prime minister Jean Chrétien in Kananaskis, Alberta, in 2002.

Canada has contributed more than $1.6 billion towards threat reduction activities worldwide, including destroying chemical weapons and combatting their spread. This includes supporting the destruction of declared chemical weapons in Russia, Syria, Iraq and Libya.

Through the weapons threat reduction program, Canada is the single largest donor country to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which was set up to implement the CWC. It was honoured with the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for its effort to supervise the destruction of more than 98% of declared global stocks of chemical weapons. With our $10 million commitment, Canada is the top individual donor to the OPCW’s new Centre for Chemistry and Technology in The Hague, which opened this past May. The centre will strengthen and bolster the organization’s investigative capacities and capabilities and support innovative efforts to keep pace with the ever-evolving chemical weapons landscape.

Canada has also provided defensive equipment, including masks and filters, to the Ukrainian military, given the threat of chemical weapons use by Russian forces. Let us be very clear: This bill is also about the defence of Ukraine against the illegal invasion of Russia into its territory. To counter Russian efforts to undermine the global norm against chemical weapons use, Canada has worked in close concert with allies to demand that Russia fully declare its novichok program.

Our government will continue to be a leader on the global stage and ensure that Russia is held accountable for its aggressions against Ukraine. This may be through providing defensive equipment or through Bill C-57, the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement, which Conservatives have voted against multiple times, to support the rebuilding of Ukraine when we win….

In August 2020, when Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned by a novichok agent, one that was sufficiently different from the novichok agent used against Sergei Skripal that it is not covered by the amended “Annex on Chemicals,” Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the assassination attempt. Moreover, Canada joined our G7 partners and NATO allies, which made similar statements.

We have continued the close coordination of advocacy and, as recently as August, announced sanctions against senior officials of the Russian government, judiciary and investigative committee, as well as federally funded courts. This includes the notorious Basmanny District Court, which has been directly involved in human rights abuses against Russian opposition leaders, including Alexei Navalny, Vladimir Kara-Murza and other Russian citizens.

Even now, as President Putin continues his war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, Canada is working hand in hand with allies to counter blatant disinformation on chemical weapons by Russia. Moreover, it is preparing to hold Russia to account should it choose to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. This would be a bad decision on Russia’s part.

Canada has joined its G7 partners in demanding information from Russia regarding allegations, supported by reports from Russian state-controlled media, that the Russian military has dropped grenades filled with a riot-control agent from drones in occupied Ukrainian territory. This would be another blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The threat of a resurgence in chemical weapons use is real. Canada will play a key role in upholding the tools of the rules-based international order that keep us safe, including the Chemical Weapons Convention. We will also continue in our fight against flagrant violations of international law and global norms. This legislation will bring us in line. It will signal to the world that we are serious about keeping up with the convention and that we will continue to move in pace as industry changes, as technologies emerge and as people continue to be unsafe.

Canada will stand on the right side.

(House of Commons Debates, 15 December 2023, pp. 20145–48)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 15 décembre 2023, pp. 20145–48)

B. Bill C-34 / Loi C-34: National Security Review of Investments Modernization Act / Loi sur la modernisation de l’examen des investissements relativement à la sécurité nationale ²

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry):

[La] LIC est un atout important pour notre économie, car elle contribue à faire du Canada une destination de choix pour l’investissement étranger en assurant l’existence d’un régime stable et prévisible.

Ensuring that Canada remains attractive to businesses and investors through a clear and predictable regulatory regime is ever more important as we continue to attract significant new investment…. No matter which country I visit, it is understood that Canada is a great investment destination, particularly when it comes to clean technologies, critical minerals, and automotive and battery supply chains. In fact, Bloomberg ranked Canada second in the world for its battery ecosystem, ahead of the United States and just behind China. This is a great thing that we have achieved in a couple of months, I would say, and we should all be proud as Canadians.

I will continue to work tirelessly to attract more investments to Canada that will create well-paying jobs and spur economic growth, and I look forward to more big announcements in 2023….

Au fil des dernières années, nous avons noté trois grandes thématiques, qui ont été abordées lors de la révision de la Loi. Il s’agit des préoccupations stratégiques et géopolitiques, de la nécessité d’améliorer la certitude et la transparence pour les investisseurs et de la nécessité de protéger l’économie et l’innovation au Canada.

Let me talk about modernizing the law in the current geopolitical context. Canada’s interactions with the rest of the world are changing. Hostile state and non-state actors pursue deliberate strategies to acquire goods, technologies and intellectual property. They do so in ways that are incompatible with Canada’s interests and principles. We also know that foreign investments can be used as a conduit for foreign influence activities that seek to weaken our norms and institutions.

The nexus between technology and national security is now clear, and I think we have recent examples of that. It is here to stay for the long run. Rapid technological innovation has provided Canada with new opportunities for economic growth, but it has also given rise to new and difficult policy challenges.

I will talk about modernizing the law and supporting investment in Canada. At the same time, we need to support a welcoming investment climate for beneficial investment. This means that the ICA’s operations must be clear, transparent and, I am sure we would all agree, efficient. We know that regulatory certainty and the speed of reviews are important factors in attracting investments to Canada. It is all about predictability and having a very stable regime.

I will now mention trends in innovation that we are seeing now. Canada’s foreign investment regime also needs to adapt to the speed of innovation. Intangible assets, such as intellectual property and data, have grown in importance in defining Canada’s economic strength, and at the same time they pose new challenges in terms of how these are to be managed.

A good example of this challenge is quantum technology. Our government recognizes the value of the intangible economy, its growth and the relevant opportunities for Canadians across our nation. That is why, in January, I announced the launch of Canada’s national quantum strategy, which will shape the future of quantum technologies in Canada and will help create thousands of jobs across our nation.

Quantum science and technologies are at the leading edge of research and innovation, with enormous potential for commercialization and game-changing advances, including more effective drug design, better climate change forecasting, improved navigation and innovations in clean technologies.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the continued growth of this emerging sector as it helps drive Canada’s economy and supports highly skilled jobs and, I would say, well-paying jobs as well. To ensure we protect it, quantum science is already listed as a sensitive technology area under the ICA’s national security guidelines.

Les modifications que nous proposons aujourd’hui sont basées sur ces thèmes. Notre gouvernement a déjà entrepris des efforts de modernisation de la LIC en mettant à jour nos politiques afin d’améliorer la transparence et d’offrir de la certitude aux investisseurs.

Je me permets d’énumérer quelques-uns des développements de ces dernières années. En 2021, nous avons mis à jour des lignes directrices sur l’examen relatif à la sécurité nationale des investissements étrangers. En 2022, devant l’invasion non provoquée et injustifiable de l’Ukraine, nous avons énoncé une nouvelle politique sur l’examen des investissements étrangers provenant de la Russie. Nous avons aussi introduit un mécanisme de dépôt volontaire pour les investisseurs souhaitant obtenir une certitude réglementaire, déclenchant les mêmes délais légaux qu’un dépôt obligatoire. Les investisseurs gagnent ainsi une certitude quant à leurs plans, tandis que le gouvernement se prévaut d’une plus grande visibilité et aura jusqu’à cinq ans pour revoir et prendre des mesures à l’égard d’un investissement à défaut d’une déclaration volontaire. Finalement, une politique concernant les investissements étrangers par des entreprises d’État dans les minéraux critiques dans le cadre de la LIC était annoncée à l’automne. Il s’agit d’une mesure des plus importantes….

The time is right to pursue modernization of the Investment Canada Act…. Now more than ever, we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to foster an innovative and healthy economy. The global environment has evolved significantly in recent years, including in global competition, investment and technology….

The guidance and decisions issued over the past several years make it clear that some transactions, particularly those by state-owned or state-influenced investors, may be motivated by non-commercial imperatives that could harm Canada’s national security….

Canada’s well-known excellence in emerging and sensitive technologies and critical minerals is an attractive target for hostile states. Through these amendments, we are making sure we have the right tools to protect those sectors along with our IP, personal data and critical infrastructure. The volume and complexity of foreign investment reviews are increasing, and this significant change provides a strong rationale for supporting ICA modernization….

Fundamentally, we believe that an effective regime must be robust, transparent and flexible to adapt to a changing world, and now is the time to make these changes. This new bill represents the most significant update of the ICA since 2009. Think of where the world is today and what it looked like in 2009. I put it to all members that we would all agree that it needs an update. We are making important moves now to review and modernize key aspects of the act, while ensuring that the overarching framework to support needed foreign investment to grow our economy remains strong and open.

Parlons des modifications prévues dans le projet de loi C‑34. Nous proposons d’apporter sept modifications à la Loi sur Investissement Canada.

Premièrement, une nouvelle exigence de dépôt préalable sera instaurée pour certains investissements. Cela permettra au Canada de disposer d’une meilleure vue sur les investissements dans certains secteurs d’activité désignés, surtout où les investisseurs auraient accès à des actifs ou des renseignements techniques importants qui ne sont pas accessibles au public, comme de la propriété intellectuelle de fine pointe ou des secrets commerciaux, à la clôture de l’investissement.

Je dirais même à mes collègues que c’est une mesure nécessaire dans un monde où les actifs intangibles sont de plus en plus importants.

Le gouvernement peut donc veiller à prévenir de tels dommages qui seraient irréparables. Les investisseurs devront déposer un avis d’investissement dans les délais inscrits dans la réglementation.

I want to stress that we are taking a targeted approach here. An across-the-board pre-implementation filing requirement without regard to nuance of business sector, type of transaction or other relevant facts would have an unnecessarily burdensome impact on needed and beneficial investment into Canada without providing improvements to national security analysis. Our targeted approach will support transparency and certainty for investors, which is something we all want.

Second, the bill would make the national security review process more efficient by providing me, as Minister of Industry, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister of Public Safety, the authority to extend the national security review of investments, whereas previously a Governor in Council order was required at that stage. This is about being efficient. This is about going at the speed of business, and this is about agility in light of different types of transactions.

Removing the additional step of getting an order by the Governor in Council would give more time to our interdepartmental experts in security and intelligence to complete their vital work, including the intelligence analysis assessing the national security risks of a transaction.

Troisièmement, les modifications touchent aux pénalités pour les cas de non-conformité aux dispositions de la Loi sur Investissement Canada. Celles-ci ont été fixées il y a déjà plusieurs décennies et ne correspondent plus aux évaluations courantes des transactions ni à l’inflation.

Par exemple, pour les dispositions actuelles de la Loi sur Investissement Canada, la pénalité maximale de 10 000 $ par jour qui a été établie en 1985 sera augmentée à 25 000 $ par jour par infraction, et ce, sans limite. De plus, une toute nouvelle pénalité pour les investisseurs qui manquent d’effectuer le dépôt d’avis préalable, dont j’ai parlé plus tôt, écoperont d’une amende de 500 000 $ ou le montant prévu par règlement, selon le montant supérieur.

Cette mise à jour assurera que les pénalités auront un plus grand effet de dissuasion.

Fourth, the bill introduces the authority for me, as Minister of Industry, after consultation with my colleague, the Minister of Public Safety, to impose interim conditions on an investment. This would reduce the risk of national security injury taking place during the course of the review itself, such as through the possible transfer of assets, intellectual property or trade secrets before the review is complete.

Cinquièmement, la Loi offre plus de souplesse dans l’atténuation des risques à la sécurité nationale en me permettant, toujours en ma qualité de ministre de l’Industrie et encore en collaboration avec mon collègue le ministre de la Sécurité publique, d’imposer des engagements contraignants de la part des investisseurs. Ces engagements devront démontrer qu’ils réduisent adéquatement les risques à la sécurité nationale qui découleraient de l’investissement en question.

J’ajouterai que c’est une mesure assez utilisée dans les autres pays, notamment chez nos voisins américains.

Auparavant, l’imposition des engagements visant à atténuer les risques en matière de sécurité nationale d’une transaction ne pouvait qu’être imposée par un décret du gouverneur en conseil. Avec des engagements contraignants qui peuvent être discutés et acceptés à l’échelle ministérielle, ceux-ci peuvent aussi être éventuellement modifiés ou même résiliés au besoin.

Sixth, the bill would allow Canada to share case-specific information with international counterparts to help protect common security interests. This type of co-operation is so important when considering an investor who may be active in several jurisdictions seeking the same technology, for example. We would have more discretion to share such information, and of course it would be based on the evaluation of confidentiality and other concerns in doing so.

Canada’s investment review regime is world-leading and we share information and collaborate closely with our allies, several of whom, including among the Five Eyes, have either updated or introduced new screening mechanisms responding to geopolitical threats.

Finalement, la loi instaure de nouvelles dispositions pour la protection des renseignements dans le cadre du contrôle judiciaire des décisions. Cette modification va permettre au gouvernement de s’appuyer sur des renseignements sensibles pour défendre ses décisions relatives à la sécurité nationale, tout en protégeant ces renseignements contre la divulgation. Ces nouvelles dispositions vont permettre aussi aux demandeurs de participer pleinement à la procédure.

Our record as government makes it clear that where national security is concerned, we do not hesitate to take decisive action. Our assessment of risk keeps pace with evolving economic and geopolitical circumstances.

While the ICA provides broad authorities to intercede and address national security risk that can arise in foreign investment, these amendments build on that strong foundation and improve on the mechanics of the process around national security…. We want to remain an attractive destination for investment, and this law would achieve that.

(House of Commons Debates, 3 February 2023, pp. 11215–18)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 3 février 2023, pp. 11215–18)

C. Bill C-57 / Loi C-57: Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 2023 / Loi de mise en œuvre de l’Accord de libre-échange Canada-Ukraine de 2023 ³

Hon. Mary Ng (Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development):

[T]his trade agreement is special. I rise today to enter into the record the story behind this agreement, because all members in the House, all Canadians and, especially, the 1.3 million members of the Ukrainian Canadian community, should know how it came about.

The story of this agreement begins with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s first visit to Canada back in 2019. During that visit, President Zelenskyy and the Prime Minister announced a mutual intention to modernize the existing Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. Following that announcement, public servants in both countries went about doing their respective homework to prepare for renewed negotiations.

That homework often takes many months. It is just part of the routine for our respective civil servants and trade negotiators. However, there was nothing routine about the way these negotiations unfolded.

First came the pandemic, which stalled progress for over a year. Then, when we were finally ready to launch negotiations, Russian troops were massing along the Ukrainian border.

On January 27, 2022, I held a virtual event with Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and minister of economy, to announce the start of negotiations on this agreement. Russia had not yet invaded Ukraine at that time, but it was already clear that the situation was reaching a precipice. The world was seeing that an invasion was imminent, and there was a lot of uncertainty.

A short time before that announcement, I asked my Ukrainian counterpart if she and her government were still willing and able to move forward with negotiations. Her answer was candid and unequivocal: She told me that her government was determined to move ahead, and she told me how much it mattered that Canada was showing confidence in Ukraine at a time when many were beginning to question its resolve.

Ukraine knew then which path it wanted to take for its future. Ukraine had chosen the values of democracy, openness and transparency, as well as a rules-based international order. A sovereign Ukraine was seeking to modernize its infrastructure, its economy and its laws. A comprehensive and progressive free trade agreement would be an important step toward modernization for Ukraine, and Canada would be its gateway.

One month after that announcement, on February 24, 2022, Russia moved in with its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and it invaded for all the reasons I just listed: Ukrainian territorial and economic sovereignty, values of openness and democracy, and a rules-based international order. Vladimir Putin despises all these things, and he could not stand to see Ukraine embrace them, uphold them and blossom into a great modern nation. That is why he invaded Ukraine.

On that day, I knew, the Prime Minister knew and the government knew what we had to do. As long as the government of Ukraine stood, we would stand with it. Since the war began, Canada has committed $9 billion in military, humanitarian, financial and development assistance to Ukraine. We also understood that standing with Ukraine meant that we would see these trade negotiations through to the end.

At the outset, it was not easy. The war made travel dangerous and even routine calls impossible for our Ukrainian counterparts. Negotiations had barely begun; suddenly, they came to a standstill. They stayed at a standstill for four months, until I travelled for meetings at the OECD in Paris. That is where I met Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Taras Kachka.

It is important to understand that we did not plan a formal meeting that day. He and I, along with Canada’s chief negotiator, simply sat in the cafeteria of the OECD building and talked. Mr. Kachka recounted the first 120 days of the war and the challenges he had to overcome just to make that one trip to the OECD. I again asked if Ukraine was able and willing to begin negotiations. Mr. Kachka said yes and I said yes, and negotiations began in earnest.

A few weeks later, at the G7 summit in Germany, I finally met Deputy Prime Minister Svyrydenko face to face. We revisited our earlier conversations and talked of how our earlier hope of avoiding the conflict had been so savagely dispelled. We reiterated our mutual intention to reach an agreement, and then we hugged.

The private conversations I had with my Ukrainian counterparts moved me in ways that are hard to describe. If they had told me that they were not yet ready to begin trade talks, of course we would have waited. Canada would have given Ukraine as much time as it needed.

Ukraine’s quiet resolve to move forward was unmistakable and unbreakable. These negotiations were driven by the very values of openness and self-determination that Ukrainian soldiers were and are fighting and dying for. I can tell the House today that, even in the midst of an all-consuming war effort, Ukraine’s commitment to those values never wavered and neither did Canada’s.

Je suis fière de dire que cet accord a été conclu en un temps record, c’est-à-dire en à peine 12 mois. Voilà qui illustre la détermination du Canada et de l’Ukraine dans ce dossier crucial. Le processus a pris fin il y a quelques semaines à peine, quand le premier ministre et le président Zelenski ont signé l’accord à l’occasion de la seconde visite du président Zelenski au Canada. C’est un véritable honneur pour moi d’en parler à la Chambre.

Outre le fait que les négociations n’ont pris que 12 mois, force est de reconnaître qu’il s’agit d’un accord exceptionnel. Dans les milieux commerciaux, c’est ce qu’on appelle un accord de grande qualité. Il comprend des dispositions sur le commerce des services et les investissements, un mécanisme obligatoire de règlement des différends pour assurer un traitement équitable, ainsi que des mesures de protection des travailleurs. Par surcroît, il reconnaît l’importance des PME, notamment celles appartenant à des femmes et à des Autochtones. Enfin, il prévoit des mesures de protection environnementale qui sont plus exigeantes que toutes celles qui figurent dans les autres accords de libre-échange conclus par le Canada à ce jour.

Bref, en termes de contenu et de pratiques exemplaires, cet accord est équivalent à l’Accord Canada-États-Unis-Mexique, au Partenariat transpacifique global et progressiste et à l’Accord économique et commercial global. Le Canada est le premier pays à signer un accord commercial global avec l’Ukraine.

L’Ukraine nous a dit qu’elle utiliserait cet accord commercial comme modèle dans ses négociations avec d’autres partenaires potentiels. C’est entre autres pourquoi j’affirme que cet accord est spécial.

Par-dessus tout, cet accord est spécial parce que les Canadiens appuient la lutte de l’Ukraine contre l’invasion barbare de Poutine. Ils manifestent leur appui par l’entremise de leur gouvernement en fournissant de l’aide militaire, humanitaire et financière. Le soutien à l’Ukraine ne se limite toutefois pas aux mesures du gouvernement. Ici, au Canada, bon nombre de personnes et d’organismes apportent leur aide en accueillant des familles ukrainiennes qui fuient la guerre. De nombreuses autres organisations et entreprises canadiennes veulent se joindre à cet effort, tant au pays qu’au cœur de l’Ukraine.

Cet accord offre aux Canadiens de nouvelles façons de soutenir l’Ukraine. Il établit les règles régissant la manière dont les entreprises canadiennes peuvent investir dans la reconstruction de l’Ukraine, dans la modernisation de ses infrastructures et dans la création d’emplois en Ukraine et au Canada. Des entreprises canadiennes sont déjà actives en Ukraine, et d’autres se joignent à elles en ce moment même. L’entreprise canadienne de construction Aecon est en train de former des partenariats en Ukraine conformément à un protocole de collaboration pour la construction d’une centrale hydroélectrique dans ce pays.

La présence d’entreprises canadiennes aidera l’Ukraine à persévérer malgré la guerre. Grâce à cette entente, d’autres pourront se joindre à elles et le feront. Grâce à toutes ces activités, le Canada et une Ukraine victorieuse pourront renforcer nos valeurs communes dans notre quête de la paix, du succès mutuel et de la prospérité. Au bout du compte, le commerce ne repose pas uniquement sur les affaires, mais aussi sur des valeurs communes.

Les Ukrainiens et les Canadiens souhaitent tous une Ukraine libre, moderne et démocratique. Cet accord commercial est la manifestation de ces valeurs communes. Je suis vraiment fière d’y avoir joué un rôle.

Aujourd’hui, j’exhorte la Chambre à réaffirmer son engagement à l’égard de ces valeurs ainsi que son soutien à l’égard de l’Ukraine en adoptant ce projet de loi le plus rapidement possible. Slava Ukraini.

(House of Commons Debates, 23 October 2023, pp. 17755–56)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 23 octobre 2023, pp. 17755–56)

2. Statements in response to questions / Déclarations en réponse aux questions

A. Environment / Environnement

i. Biodiversity / Biodiversité

M. Peter Schiefke (Vaudreuil — Soulanges):

Le budget de 2023 annonce de nouvelles mesures pour protéger notre environnement, lutter contre les changements climatiques et rendre le Canada plus résilient aux menaces posées par les conditions climatiques extrêmes. Le ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique peut-il informer la Chambre d’une des mesures clés pour aider à protéger l’eau et la biodiversité partout au pays?

L’hon. Steven Guilbeault (ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique):

Dans le dernier budget fédéral de ma collègue la ministre des Finances, nous avons annoncé des investissements records dans la protection de l’eau douce pour les Grands Lacs et pour l’eau douce partout au pays. Ce sont 730 millions de dollars, c’est du jamais vu au pays, dont 85 millions de dollars pour la création de l’agence de l’eau qui sera une agence indépendante qui veillera à la protection de nos sources d’eau douce partout au pays.

(House of Commons Debates, 25 April 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 25 avril 2023)

ii. Climate change / Changement climatique

Mr. Patrick Weiler (West Vancouver — Sunshine Coast — Sea to Sky Country):

The net-zero government initiative invites governments from around the world to lead by example and achieve net-zero emissions from national government operations by no later than 2050. Could the President of the Treasury Board please update the House on this initiative?

Hon. Mona Fortier (President of the Treasury Board):

Canada has joined the net-zero government initiative, and Canada is showing global leadership on climate change. We are working with countries around the world to pledge to achieve net-zero emissions from government operations by 2050. Our planet needs us to aggressively reduce our emissions, and the government is leading by example.

(House of Commons Debates, 15 February 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 15 février 2023)

Mme Sophie Chatel (Pontiac):

[L]a semaine dernière a eu lieu une rencontre très importante entre le fédéral, les provinces et les territoires pour discuter de la protection de la faune et de la biodiversité. En fait, ils ont discuté de la façon de travailler concrètement ensemble pour atteindre des cibles très importantes en matière de biodiversité qu’ils se sont engagés à atteindre à la COP15. Entre autres, une des cibles les plus importantes, c’est la protection de 30 % de notre territoire d’ici à 2030. Est-ce que le secrétaire parlementaire du ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique peut nous informer des progrès que fait le Canada en ce sens?

M. Terry Duguid (secrétaire parlementaire du ministre de l’Environnement et du Changement climatique):

La COP15 à Montréal fut une victoire incroyable pour le Canada et la planète. Nous mettons en œuvre l’accord qui a été signé. Je suis très heureux de l’engagement des provinces et des territoires à contribuer à notre objectif de protéger 30 % des terres du Canada d’ici à 2030, un objectif qui vise à freiner le déclin des espèces sauvages.

(House of Commons Debates, 9 June 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 9 juin 2023)

Ms. Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East):

At COP28 … the Minister of Environment and Climate Change represents Canada. Can the parliamentary secretary to the minister inform us with respect to Canada’s first contribution at this conference?

Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity):

[A]s a first move at COP28, Canada is announcing support for developing countries to address loss and damage due to climate change, with a $16-million contribution to the start-up cost for a global fund. This is a significant step and a big win for the planet as we are helping climate-vulnerable developing countries that face the harshest impacts from climate change. We are honoured to be among the first donors to this historic fund at COP28. As the world comes together to assess our progress so far, we recognize that there are still challenges ahead. Canada will continue to play a leadership role to fight climate change.

(House of Commons Debates, 1 December 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 1er décembre 2023)

M. Mario Simard (Jonquière):

Les Québécois … vont penser sérieusement aux changements climatiques. C’est comme ça, pour finir, qu’on peut mesurer le succès ou l’échec des gouvernements à des COP. Est-ce que les libéraux réalisent qu’ils finissent encore une fois l’année sur un échec?

Mr. Adam van Koeverden (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity):

Canada was the first nation ever to put a cap on oil and gas emissions at COP28. That comes in the exact same week as Canada was the first country ever to suggest that we were going to reduce our methane oil and gas emissions by 75%. That is leadership in climate action…. The answer is yes. We rise to the challenge and we are climate action leaders here in Canada.

(House of Commons Debates, 11 December 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 11 décembre 2023)

B. Foreign affairs / affaires étrangères

i. Arctic sovereignty / Souveraineté sur l’Arctique

Mr. Brendan Hanley (Yukon):

[A]s a joint Canada-U.S. command, NORAD is integral to maintaining peace, stability and sovereignty in our country. Given Russia’s arbitrary and brutal invasion of Ukraine and other recent threats to global security, there is intense interest, among my constituents of Yukon and across the north, in our government’s commitment to modernizing NORAD while respecting and protecting Arctic sovereignty. Could the Minister of National Defence update the House on the progress made to protect Canada’s Arctic security?

Hon. Anita Anand (Minister of National Defence):

[L]ast week we reaffirmed our commitment to continental defence and Arctic security by investing $7.3 billion in bases across this country, including in bases that will house the F-35. These investments will ensure economic benefits for indigenous communities and Canadians across this country. As President Biden said, we can “rest soundly, knowing [that] NORAD [has] the watch.”

(House of Commons Debates, 28 March 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 28 mars 2023)

Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington — Halton Hills):

[W]hen the object over Canadian airspace was shot down by an American F-22 on February 11, the defence minister said at the time that the process was sound and that it was NORAD doing what it is supposed to do. Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that, according to the Pentagon’s assessment, Canada’s military response was delayed by one hour, necessitating U.S. assistance. How does the defence minister square her public comments with the Pentagon’s assessment?

Mr. Bryan May (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence):

[O]ur government is making landmark investments to increase our ability to operate in and defend the Arctic, including announcing a robust $40-billion plan to modernize our continental defence. This is the most significant update to Canadian NORAD capabilities in almost four decades. We awarded a $122-million contract to strengthen the CFS Alert. We are conducting joint exercises in the Arctic, and we have purchased six Arctic offshore patrol ships. We will continue to do more as needed.

(House of Commons Debates, 20 April 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 20 avril 2023)

ii. Armenia / Arménie

M. Fayçal El-Khoury (Laval — Les Îles):

[M]a circonscription, Laval — Les Îles, compte la plus grande communauté d’Arméniens au Canada. Plusieurs de mes concitoyens sont très préoccupés par la crise humanitaire à la suite des récentes activités militaires de la part de l’Azerbaïdjan. Comment la nouvelle ambassade canadienne à Erevan, ouverte par la ministre des Affaires étrangères, peut-elle contribuer à approfondir et à rehausser les relations entre le Canada et l’Arménie, ainsi qu’aider à la résolution du conflit à long terme?

L’hon. Mélanie Joly (ministre des Affaires étrangères):

[J]e reviens tout juste de l’Arménie, où nous avons ouvert, pour la première fois, une ambassade canadienne. Je pense que cela vaut la peine. C’est une bonne nouvelle pour tout le monde…. Je tiens aussi à dire que je me suis jointe à la mission de l’Union européenne qui surveille la frontière pour assurer une plus grande stabilité et une plus grande sécurité dans la région du Caucase du Sud. Voilà un exemple du leadership du Canada dans le monde. J’aurai l’occasion d’en parler davantage, demain, lorsque je serai à Montréal.

(House of Commons Debates, 31 October 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 31 octobre 2023)

iii. China / Chine

Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington — Halton Hills):

CSIS has been advising the government, the departments, the Privy Council Office, the national security adviser and deputy ministers that foreign agents in Canada, foreign diplomats in Canada, are presenting a threat to Canadian MPs in the House of Commons. In fact, the 2022 intelligence report from CSIS today says, “These threat actors must be held accountable for their clandestine activities…. We will also continue to inform national security stakeholders and all Canadians about foreign interference”. Why is the government not listening to the advice of CSIS and not listening to the advice in the reports that are being distributed?

Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety):

[W]e are taking concrete action. In fact, … the Minister of Foreign Affairs, earlier today, summoned the Chinese ambassador to ensure that we are clear about any consequences around hostile activities or foreign interference, and that is very much consistent with Canada’s strong record in condemning this kind of behaviour. Moreover, we will continue to work with all parliamentarians to protect the people who work in the chamber so that we can uphold our democracy.

(House of Commons Debates, 4 May 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 4 mai 2023)

Mr. Michael Barrett (Leeds — Grenville — Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes):

Will [Canada] implement a foreign agent registry and shut down these Beijing-backed police stations?

Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety):

We declared the foreign agent persona non grata. That person is now on his way out of Canada. We have put hundreds of millions of dollars into the national security apparatus to give it the tools it needs to protect our communities against foreign interference. … [Fo]r 10 years [under the Conservative government, there was no] work they are now asking the government to do. The difference is that we are doing it. We are protecting our institutions, and we are protecting the people in them.

(House of Commons Debates, 9 May 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 9 mai 2023)

iv. Iran

Mr. Kevin Vuong (Spadina — Fort York):

Today marks 1,241 days since the IRGC murdered 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents among 176 people killed when Flight PS752 was shot down…. Last year, on the 1,000th day, Iranian Canadians came to Ottawa to get justice for those innocent victims and get action on Iranian operatives who threaten and intimidate Iranian Canadians on our own soil. They also wanted their government to finally designate the IRGC as terrorists…. On June 11, when they return to Parliament Hill, will they again receive empty promises?

Mr. Maninder Sidhu (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs):

[T]he Iranian regime bears full responsibility for the tragic downing of Flight PS752. We are focused on the next steps, and we will continue to pursue all available means for holding the Iranian regime accountable. Action is under way, under the Montreal Convention, and we are seeking binding arbitration. If an arbitration tribunal cannot be organized within six months, we will then be able to move on to litigation before the International Court of Justice. We will not rest until the families have the justice, transparency and accountability from Iran that they so truly deserve.

(House of Commons Debates, 1 June 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 1er juin 2023)

Hon. Pierre Poilievre (Leader of the Opposition):

The Wall Street Journal revealed today that mere weeks before Hamas terrorists unleashed the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, they went to Iran to take training and direction from a terrorist group, the IRGC. Strangely, given that this group is probably the most dangerous terrorist outfit on earth, it is perfectly legal to raise money for it and organize and recruit for it right here in Canada. Will the Prime Minister ban the IRGC today?

Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister):

[F]or years, during the previous Conservative government’s attacks and rhetoric against Iran, including the closing of the embassy, the Conservatives never moved forward on banning the IRGC and declaring it a terrorist organization. We know there is a rigorous process to do that. We are pursuing and looking at all options around it. What we did do is use rarely before used measures in the immigration department, which were used in the case of war crimes in Rwanda and elsewhere, to ban, for life, senior members of the IRGC from ever being able to come to and find solace in Canada. That is a strong measure, and we are always open to doing more.

(House of Commons Debates, 25 October 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 25 octobre 2023)

v. Israel / Israël

Ms. Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona):

[W]hile 18,000 innocent civilians lost their lives, [this government] refused to call for a ceasefire. We need a ceasefire [… and] the hostages removed. Last week, it was reported that Liberal donors were withholding support…. Today, there is an important vote at the United Nations. The Liberals have failed to listen to the Palestinian people and to Canadian Palestinians. Will they at least listen to their fundraisers and vote for a ceasefire today?

Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister):

[S]ince October 7, we have recognized the terrorist attack by Hamas that killed well over 1,000 innocent Israelis, and we have recognized Israel’s right to defend itself. At the same time, the cost of justice cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians. That is why we are continuing to put forward, including today, in a statement with Australia and New Zealand, a strong and clear Canadian position that we will continue to work with allies around the world on moving toward a two-state solution, with peace for Israelis and peace for Palestinians, living side by side.

(House of Commons Debates, 12 December 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 12 décembre 2023)

vi. NATO / OTAN

Mr. Andy Fillmore (Halifax):

[T]his past weekend, leaders, parliamentarians and senior military personnel from the world’s democracies gathered in my hometown of Halifax for the 15th annual Halifax International Security Forum. … Could the Minister of National Defence share with this House the important work that was done over the past several days in Halifax?

Hon. Bill Blair (Minister of National Defence):

[L]ast weekend, we welcomed world leaders and a terrific contingent of Canadian parliamentarians to the largest defence conference of democracies to the Halifax International Security Forum. This was not only a shining moment for Canada, but it was also a great day for the city of Halifax, because I had the opportunity to announce $26 million to establish the NATO defence innovation accelerator and $188 million for a new training centre for CFB Halifax, Canada’s largest military base. It was a terrific weekend for Canada’s national defence and for the great city of Halifax.

(House of Commons Debates, 21 November 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 21 novembre 2023)

vii. Russia / Russie

M. Yvan Baker (Etobicoke-Centre):

[C]ela fait presque un an que le peuple ukrainien défend courageusement sa patrie contre la guerre offensive et injustifiée menée par la Russie. Récemment, j’ai eu la chance d’accueillir le secrétaire d’État du Royaume‑Uni aux Affaires étrangères à Toronto pour rencontrer des membres de la communauté ukraino-canadienne…. La ministre des Affaires étrangères pourrait-elle nous informer des mesures qu’elle a prises afin de punir ceux qui permettent les actions flagrantes de Poutine et de son régime?

L’hon. Mélanie Joly (ministre des Affaires étrangères):

J’ai eu l’occasion d’accueillir mon homologue britannique à Toronto il y a quelques semaines. Ensemble, avec nos alliés, nous allons faire en sorte que les actions du régime russe soient punies. Nous avons déjà annoncé de solides sanctions contre plus de 2 000 Russes et Biélorusses qui sont proches du régime de Poutine. Nous avons également sanctionné le président lui-même. La ministre de la Défense nationale a annoncé de l’artillerie lourde qui sera envoyée à l’Ukraine et nous allons encore et toujours en faire plus pour aider le peuple ukrainien.

(House of Commons Debates, 31 January 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 31 janvier 2023)

viii. Taiwan / Taïwan

Hon. Michael Chong (Wellington — Halton Hills):

[T]he World Health Assembly will be meeting next week in Geneva. Taiwan had an exemplary response to the recent global COVID-19 pandemic and has much to contribute to pandemic preparedness and global health initiatives. Does Canada support Taiwan’s participation at next week’s World Health Assembly?

Mr. Maninder Sidhu (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs):

Canada reconfirms our support of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. Its absence would be detrimental to global interests. That is why we support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and the World Health Organization. Taiwan’s participation would benefit both the people of Taiwan and those around the world. We will continue to invest in our relationship with Taiwan while working to enhance peace and civility across the strait.

(House of Commons Debates, 18 May 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 18 mai 2023)

ix. Ukraine

Mr. Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre):

Could the Minister of National Defence share with Canadians what Canada is doing to support the brave people of Ukraine?

Hon. Bill Blair (Minister of National Defence):

In the face of Russia’s unrelenting brutality and aggression, Ukrainians have fought back with remarkable strength and courage. Canada continues to stand with them. Canada has already provided over $1.8 billion in military aid, and earlier this week, while visiting our soldiers in the United Kingdom, who are training Ukrainian soldiers, I announced that Canada will contribute $33 million to a British-led air defence partnership. This investment will equip Ukrainians with the tools they need to defend their skies and protect critical infrastructure. Canada, our partners and allies will always support Ukrainian friends, and the comprehensive military.

(House of Commons Debates, 20 September 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 20 septembre 2023)

x. United Nations / Nations Unies

Mr. Tim Louis (Kitchener — Conestoga):

Can the Minister of Foreign Affairs outline the work done by her and her colleagues at the UN General Assembly last week to demonstrate Canadian leadership on tackling these critical issues [such as climate change, the weaponization of information, and the threat to democracy by a growing authoritarianism]?

Hon. Mélanie Joly (Minister of Foreign Affairs):

Canadians know that more than ever, what is happening in the world has an impact on their day-to-day lives, and Canada is definitely stepping up on the world stage. Last week at the UN, I co-hosted, along with Secretary Blinken and Michael Kovrig, an arbitrary detention summit. At this point, the declaration on arbitrary detention has now been signed by 75 countries. We also launched a new declaration along with the Netherlands to fight disinformation by states, signed by the U.K. and the U.S. This is global leadership.

(House of Commons Debates, 25 September 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 25 septembre, 2023)

C. Health / Santé

i. Seniors / Personnes âgées

Ms. Joanne Thompson (St. John’s East):

[S]eniors around the world and in Canada were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic. Conscious of the lessons we have learned from the pandemic and given Canada’s rapidly aging population, can the Minister of Seniors update the House on the work that she is doing with Canada’s international partners to advance the rights and interests of older individuals, both here at home and abroad?

Hon. Kamal Khera (Minister of Seniors):

I am happy to inform the House that, this week, Canada joined the UN open-ended working group on aging. Canada will be using this opportunity to advance seniors’ human rights and efforts to support seniors around the world. Canada is a global leader in supporting seniors, with a robust pension plan and universal health care system. We look forward to sharing our experience and working collaboratively to improve the lives of seniors both here and around the world.

(House of Commons Debates, 7 March 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 7 mars 2023)

D. Human rights / Droits de la personne

i. Immigration

Ms. Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East):

[T]he Liberals secretly negotiated a deal to shut down the entire Canada-U.S. border with an invisible wall. This will only drive persecuted asylum seekers on a more dangerous pathway. Seidu Mohammed, an LGBTQ man, nearly died crossing irregularly to Canada in the dead of winter. His asylum claim was found to be valid, and he got his Canadian citizenship just this year. If this policy applied then, he would have been sent back to Ghana to face discrimination and violence for being who he is. Why are the Liberals taking a page from Trump[?]

Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship):

We have finally updated the safe third country agreement, the agreement that applies to the entire Canada-U.S. border. On top of that, we will be welcoming 50,000 people from America to promote safe and orderly migration. This is a major victory for Canada.

(House of Commons Debates, 27 March 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 27 mars 2023)

ii. Sudan / Soudan

Mr. Blake Desjarlais (Edmonton Griesbach):

Sudanese Canadians in my riding, Einam and Hani, have been pleading with the government for help. Their families are stuck in Sudan amidst violence, and the government is nowhere to be found. … Will the government expand and broaden the special immigration measures to allow Sudanese Canadians to bring their loved ones to safety?

Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship):

[T]he situation in Sudan is highly volatile, and we are deeply concerned for the safety of Sudanese people. That is why we have announced that we are introducing immigration measures to support Sudanese nationals in Canada who are unable to return home. We are also providing facilitative measures and expediting the processing of their applications, free of charge. We are ready to help the people of Sudan and help their families here.

(House of Commons Debates, 12 May 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 12 mai 2023)

iii. Women’s rights / Droits des femmes

Hon. Judy A. Sgro (Humber River — Black Creek):

When it comes to reproductive rights in this country and around the world, what is the Prime Minister’s position?

Right Hon. Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister):

[O]ur government is unapologetically feminist and pro-choice. Since 2020, we have provided almost half a billion dollars to support women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world. That includes funding for abortion health care, which the previous Conservative government refused to support. We know the fight for women’s and girls’ rights around the world is far from over. That is why, yesterday, we announced Canada’s candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council. While the Conservative Party attacks a woman’s right to choose in this House, we are defending it at home and abroad.

(House of Commons Debates, 10 May 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 10 mai 2023)

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill):

[T]omorrow is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Hamas brutally raped, murdered and kidnapped Israeli women and desecrated their bodies, and has used Palestinian women as human shields, yet many international women’s rights groups, like UN Women, are silent…. These groups’ refusals to denounce Hamas’s violence against women is normalizing anti-Semitic violence around the world. … Will the government join me today in harshly denouncing UN Women’s silence and publicly demand, on the eve of tomorrow’s day, that it end it?

Ms. Pam Damoff (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs [Consular Affairs]):

[W]e condemn Hamas, a terrorist organization. We condemn its actions against women and other civilians. Today, we actually got good news from the region. The first hostages have been released under the agreement that was signed, and aid will imminently be flowing into the region. We continue to call for the protection of Palestinian and Israeli civilians. We call for Canadian and foreign national hostages to be released, for foreign nationals to leave and for all the hostages to be released.

(House of Commons Debates, 24 November 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 24 novembre 2023)

E. International humanitarian law / Droit international humanitaire

i. Afghanistan

Mr. Francesco Sorbara (Vaughan — Woodbridge):

Can the Minister of Public Safety please update the House on how the government intends to continue support the people of Afghanistan?

Hon. Marco Mendicino (Minister of Public Safety):

[Th]e relationship between Canada and Afghanistan is deep and abiding. That is why, after Kabul fell, we introduced a program that would resettle 40,000 refugees. That is a goal we are approximately 30,000 into, and we will continue to do that. We cannot forget about the women, the girls and the religious minorities who have been systematically targeted by the Taliban. That is why, today, we introduced Bill C-41, which would reduce barriers and would allow us to deliver the humanitarian aid, the food, the shelter and the clothing they need. By doing so, by passing this law, and hopefully with the support of all opposition parties, we will be able to get that support to them as quickly as possible, while at the same time tackling and pushing back against the Taliban.

(House of Commons Debates, 9 March 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 9 mars 2023)

ii. Armenia / Arménie

Ms. Jean Yip (Scarborough — Agincourt):

Could the Minister of Foreign Affairs please inform the House about our government’s efforts on [the] important [Nagorno-Karabakh] issue?

Hon. Mélanie Joly (Minister of Foreign Affairs):

I share the concerns of Armenian Canadians, and Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. We continue to call on Azerbaijan authorities to reopen the Lachin corridor. We need to prevent the worsening of the humanitarian crisis. Canada supports the 2020 ceasefire agreement, including the return of Armenian prisoners of war. It is important that the ceasefire, which is supported by the E.U. monitoring group, be respected.

(House of Commons Debates, 27 March 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 27 mars 2023)

Ms. Jean Yip (Scarborough — Agincourt):

Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have spent almost a year without fuel, food or medicine because of the blockade of the Lachin corridor. There is now an exodus of Armenian refugees with the resumption of military activity by Azerbaijan, in violation of the 2020 ceasefire agreement. Could the Minister of International Development please outline what measures the Government of Canada is taking to respond to this situation?

Hon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of International Development):

We have been following, as a government, the deteriorating situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. This is a situation that also impacts Armenian Canadians. Earlier this morning, I announced that Canada is providing $2.5 million to the Red Cross to provide food, emergency health care, protection services and other essential life-saving assistance to more than 60,000 refugees caught in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions. We continue to call on Azerbaijan to respect the ceasefire, ensure humanitarian access and protect civilians.

(House of Commons Debates, 28 September 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 28 septembre 2023)

iii. Border security / Sécurité des frontières

M. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe (Lac-Saint-Jean):

Pendant qu’il y a des réseaux de traite de personnes aux frontières canadiennes, des réseaux criminels organisés par les cartels mexicains, des bandits qui exploitent des personnes vulnérables pour les faire passer illégalement les frontières canadiennes qui sont devenues de véritables passoires, Radio-Canada nous apprend que la GRC va réduire ses effectifs aux frontières. D’un côté, le ministre de la Sécurité publique promet d’augmenter le nombre d’agents. De l’autre, la GRC va possiblement réduire jusqu’à 25 % de ses effectifs. C’est difficile d’imaginer plus “jambon” que cela comme décision. Est-ce que le ministre [peut-il expliquer la situation ?]

L’hon. Dominic LeBlanc (ministre de la Sécurité publique, des Institutions démocratiques et des Affaires intergouvernementales):

[N]ous partageons évidemment les inquiétudes de tous les Canadiens quant à l’intégrité de nos frontières. L’idée que mon collègue avance, à savoir que nous allons réduire les effectifs de la GRC dans la division C, au Québec, pour lutter contre le crime organisé et pour sécuriser nos frontières, n’est pas tout à fait vraie. Depuis la fermeture du chemin Roxham et l’entente sur les tiers pays, la GRC a réaffecté ses ressources vers des priorités comme le crime organisé et l’intégrité des frontières.

(House of Commons Debates, 7 December 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 7 décembre 2023)

iv. Gaza

M. Jagmeet Singh (Burnaby-Sud):

À Gaza, la situation humanitaire ne fait que s’empirer. De plus en plus d’Israéliens et de Palestiniens innocents perdent la vie dans cette guerre horrible. Quand le gouvernement prendra-t-il au sérieux son rôle de protection des innocents et demandera-t-il enfin un cessez-le-feu?

Hon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of International Development):

[W]e have been active from the very beginning. We are the first western country to provide an initial amount of $10 million to go to humanitarian assistance. Recently, we announced an additional $50 million, bringing the Canadian total to $60 million. We have been consistent in the call to respect international humanitarian law by all parties in this conflict. We have been consistently working very hard with our friends and allies in the region to make sure that the humanitarian corridors are not only open, but that they are maintained and that the essential life-saving supplies get through on a daily basis.

(House of Commons Debates, 23 October 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 23 octobre 2023)

v. Pakistan

Mr. Shafqat Ali (Brampton Centre):

[L]ast year, the people of Pakistan experienced the most devastating floods in its history, wiping out critical infrastructure. There were 1,739 people who died, including 647 children, and an additional 12,867 were injured. While Pakistan is in the process of rebuilding, it has also helped house refugees fleeing Afghanistan. Can the Minister of International Development please share with this House how Canada is supporting efforts to rebuild communities in Pakistan and Afghan refugees?

Hon. Ahmed Hussen (Minister of International Development):

Pakistan has faced tremendous challenges with some of the most devastating floods of the region. While it rebuilds, it has also stepped up to help Afghan refugees. That is why we announced $14 million to support it, to provide health and essential services for the refugees and the host community. Canada will always be there.

(House of Commons Debates, 3 October 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 3 octobre 2023)

vi. Syria / Syrie

Mr. Ron McKinnon (Coquitlam — Port Coquitlam):

[S]ince yesterday we have had such devastating news from Syria and Turkey [about] … major earthquakes…. Could the Minister of International Development tell all Canadians more about what our government is doing to support those people affected?

Hon. Harjit S. Sajjan (Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada):

[O]ur government stands ready to support those affected by these devastating earthquakes. This is why today I authorized an initial emergency humanitarian response of $10 million to support the people of Turkey and Syria. This is in addition to the $50 million in funding that we provided for disaster response in Syria, and our international partners on the ground have already initiated emergency response activities. We are also conducting need assessments because we will be doing more.

(House of Commons Debates, 7 February 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 7 février 2023)

F. Trade and economy / Commerce et économie

i. “Buy America”

L’hon. Pierre Poilievre (chef de l’opposition):

[U]n ancien gouvernement conservateur a obtenu une exemption aux politiques Buy America pendant les années Obama. Les Américains l’ont remise en vigueur quand ce premier ministre est arrivé au pouvoir. Dans l’entente qu’il a signée, il a permis au Buy America d’être plus large et de toucher à des projets du gouvernement fédéral, et non pas juste à des projets des États. Les Mexicains ont eu une exemption. Est-ce que le premier ministre va finalement faire ce que les Mexicains et le premier ministre Harper ont pu faire et obtenir une exemption au Buy America demain?

Le très hon. Justin Trudeau (premier ministre):

[N]ous avons vu à quel point les Américains voulaient créer une industrie automobile électrique aux États‑Unis en excluant le Canada, mais dans le cadre du travail que nous avons fait avec nos partenaires aux États‑Unis, nous avons souligné à quel point nous sommes intégrés des deux côtés de la frontière dans le secteur de la construction automobile. Nous avons eu un carve in dans la loi américaine sur la réduction de l’inflation en ce qui a trait aux voitures électriques et aux batteries. Nous allons continuer de travailler main dans la main avec nos partenaires américains pour offrir de bons emplois aux Canadiens, une croissance économique et une compétitivité productive à l’échelle mondiale.

(House of Commons Debates, 22 March 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 22 mars 2023)

ii. Foreign investment / Investissements étrangers

Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West):

[T]oday the government announced $13 billion for a new Volkswagen electric vehicle battery plant. … What will the government do to make sure that it is Canadian workers, not Volkswagen CEOs and shareholders, who will benefit from this deal?

Mr. Andy Fillmore (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry):

[O]ur government has been very successful in bringing investments to Canada that are creating jobs and growing economic activity across the country. That Volkswagen has chosen Canada for its very first battery factory in North America is proof of that success, and we are very proud of it. Volkswagen’s historic investment of $7 billion is a major vote of confidence in our workers and in our growing battery ecosystem, and it shows that Canada’s work to become the world’s green supplier of choice is working.

(House of Commons Debates, 21 April 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 21 avril 2023)

Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West):

[W]hen Canada had an auto policy, being the auto pact, we were second in the world in manufacturing and the hub of investment, research and development. When the Conservatives and Liberals signed NAFTA, they allowed us to get bullied by Japan and the WTO. Without a fight, they gave up our trade agreement, the best trade agreement we had in history. The result is that we have dropped to 15th in the world, behind Indonesia, and we are now tied with the Czech Republic and Slovakia for auto assembly. The Windsor Stellantis plant’s future, as well as the investment in it, has played out in all the media headlines, as the Deputy Prime Minister and the premier negotiate. Will the government show real leadership, ditch the drama and public headline approach, sign a deal with Stellantis, and bring in a real auto policy that does not embarrass us and puts workers first?

Mr. Andy Fillmore (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry):

[O]ur auto industry is crucial to the Canadian economy and to the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who work in that sector. This is why the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry has worked tirelessly to secure a future for Canada’s auto industry. We continue to negotiate in good faith with our partners. That includes Stellantis and the Government of Ontario. Through it all, our top priority is going to be getting the best possible deal for Canadians.

(House of Commons Debates, 2 June 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 2 juin 2023)

Mrs. Shelby Kramp-Neuman (Hastings — Lennox and Addington):

[A]fter eight long years, one would hope that the government would figure out that sound, responsible, economic and monetary policy is key to keeping inflation low. … Will this NDP-Liberal Prime Minister start listening to Canadians, stop inflationary spending and cancel the carbon tax?

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry):

I am really surprised that [the colleague] is not talking about the historic investment announced in her riding yesterday. Umicore invested $3 billion in her riding, creating 600 jobs for young people to stay in her riding. We are building the economy of the future. We are investing in electrical vehicles. The member should be rejoicing that we are making smart investments to create growth in this country.

(House of Commons Debates, 17 October 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 17 octobre 2023)

iii. Labour and trade / Travail et commerce

Mrs. Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre):

10 years ago today, on April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,134 people and injuring even more. That incident brought to light the inhuman conditions in which many workers around the world still work today. It reminds us that we have a responsibility as world leaders to fight for the rights of workers everywhere, regardless of borders and distance. Can the Minister of Labour update us on the work that our government is doing to protect workers around the world on this sombre anniversary?

Hon. Seamus O’Regan (Minister of Labour):

[T]he Rana Plaza incident of 10 years ago is a painful reminder of the absolute necessity for workers around the world to have fair pay and safe working conditions. Canada is working with the International Labour Organization and unions to champion the rights of workers. We have built labour conditions into our trade agreements. Workers make trade possible, and they should reap the benefits of it. I went to Washington last year to launch M-POWER, a global initiative with the U.S. and other like-minded countries, to support unions and workers’ rights and to eradicate forced labour in our supply chains.

(House of Commons Debates, 24 April 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 24 avril 2023)

iv. Telecommunications / Télécommunications

Mr. Ryan Williams (Bay of Quinte):

Canadians pay the highest cellphone prices in the world. In fact, Rogers telecommunications is the most expensive telecommunications carrier in the world…. It is three times as expensive as Australia and twice as expensive as the U.S. and Europe. The Rogers-Shaw deal will only make the priciest and the biggest company only bigger. We need more competition in Canada, which means not just a fourth carrier, but 40 carriers to supply more choice to Canadians, and lower prices. When will the minister get serious about competition instead of pandering to just one monopoly?

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry):

If [my colleague] looks at the contract the prices that we see in Quebec, which are on average 20% lower than in the rest of Canada, now will have to be offered in Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and Alberta. In addition to that, we got commitments to have a headquarters in Calgary, Alberta and 3,000 new jobs in western Canada. Canadians know that we have their backs and western Canadians understand that.

(House of Commons Debates, 31 March 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 31 mars 2023)

Mr. Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre):

With this Liberal-Rogers[-Shaw] merger almost complete, Canadians have a right to know which Liberal insider had influence and was involved in the approval process?

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry):

Actually, we denied the transfer of licence from Shaw to Rogers. This government stood up to big telco. We put 21 conditions in place. This has never been done in Canada’s history…. It is because Canadians have asked us to bring prices down. That is what we did. The way to get access to competition is to have a fourth national player. Canadians know which side we stand on: We stand on their side.

(House of Commons Debates, 24 April 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 24 avril 2023)

v. Tourism / Tourisme

M. Taleeb Noormohamed (Vancouver Granville):

[C]ette semaine, on a célébré la Semaine nationale du tourisme. … Le ministre du Tourisme peut-il dire à la Chambre ce que le gouvernement fait pour ce secteur si vital à l’économie?

L’hon. Randy Boissonnault (ministre du Tourisme et ministre associé des Finances):

Notre gouvernement est déterminé à voir l’industrie du tourisme continuer à croître et à prospérer. C’est pour cela que, chaque année, nous célébrons la Semaine nationale du tourisme. Nous avons investi 158 millions de dollars dans le budget de 2023 pour que les Canadiens et les partenaires autochtones atteignent cet objectif. J’aimerais remercier tous nos partenaires et les travailleurs de ce secteur qui sont au cœur de l’industrie et qui travaillent chaque jour pour rendre le Canada la meilleure destination au monde.

(House of Commons Debates, 28 April 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 28 avril 2023)

M. René Arseneault (Madawaska — Restigouche):

Notre industrie touristique représente une opportunité de croissance en or, tellement que le Conseil mondial du voyage et du tourisme prévoit qu’elle pourrait doubler sa contribution au PIB du Canada d’ici 2033. La ministre du Tourisme peut-elle nous dire comment notre gouvernement soutient le tourisme canadien pour attirer davantage le tourisme chez nous?

L’hon. Soraya Martinez Ferrada (ministre du Tourisme et ministre responsable de l’Agence de développement économique du Canada pour les régions du Québec):

[L’]industrie touristique, c’est 1,9 million d’emplois, une industrie qui est représentée dans toutes les municipalités du pays et qui génère 266 millions de dollars par jour. Hier, nous avons lancé le Programme pour la croissance du tourisme, un fonds de 108 millions de dollars, livré par les agences économiques régionales. Ce sont des investissements qui visent à soutenir les entreprises, les organisations dans leur croissance et l’offre d’expérience touristique authentique. Le tourisme, c’est non seulement une question d’économie, mais c’est une question de fierté.

(House of Commons Debates, 21 November 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 21 novembre 2023)

vi. Trade agreements / Accords commerciaux

(a) Indo-Pacific / Indo-Pacifique

Mr. Ryan Turnbull (Whitby):

Having just travelled to India, could the Parliamentary Secretary please tell the House about the work done so far to implement [a] new strategy … to further strengthening both economic and people-to-people ties?

Mr. Maninder Sidhu (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs):

I had the opportunity to accompany the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the G20 in India last week. This was the minister’s second trip to India since the release of our Indo-Pacific strategy and we are hitting the ground running. As part of my trip, I had meetings on strengthening cultural and educational ties and met with business groups, like the Indo-Canadian Business Council. Our government will continue strengthening our position in the Indo-Pacific region to unlock economic opportunities for Canadians and grow our strong people-to-people ties.

(House of Commons Debates, 10 March 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 10 mars 2023)

(b) Ukraine

Mr. Yvan Baker (Etobicoke Centre):

Could the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development share with Canadians the importance of [the modernized Canada-Ukraine free trade] agreement to Canada and Ukraine?

Hon. Mary Ng (Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development):

The modernized Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement would mark a new era in the Canada-Ukraine economic relationship. It is fundamental for Canadian businesses and exporters to participate in Ukraine’s economic reconstruction when it wins the war and recovers from Russia’s illegal and unjustified invasion. Canada has stood with Ukraine from its first days as a nation, and we will continue to be there with whatever it takes for as long as it takes.

(House of Commons Debates, 24 October 2023)

(Débats de la Chambre des Communes, 24 octobre 2023)