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Results: 61 - 120 of 544
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 10b, in the amount of $9,900,000, under Royal Canadian Mounted Police — Grants and contributions, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $18,647,341, under Shared Services Canada — Operating expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 5b, in the amount of $4,464,382, under Shared Services Canada — Capital expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $854,678, under Statistics Canada — Program expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $14,600,000, under The Jacques-Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. — Payments to the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc., in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the rules-based international order and the multilateral institutions that underpin it are absolutely essential for the pursuit of the Canadian national interest in the world. That is why we are co-operating fully with the OECD in its work on this issue. I have instructed my department and my staff to do so.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, as someone who has stood up for the people of Ukraine, as someone who has stood up for the Crimean Tartars, as someone who has stood up for the people of Venezuela, let me say it is—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me say, it is a profound insult to the people living under the Maduro dictatorship, to the people living under Putin's dictatorship, to compare anything happening in—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to speak for Canada, to speak for our amazing country on the international stage.
Because I was not fully heard when the member for Durham posed his astonishing question, let me just say that it is both insulting and absurd to the people of Canada, as well as to the people suffering from the dictatorships of Maduro and Putin, to make any comparison between the two.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, since the member has spoken about women and foreign affairs, let me talk about what our government is doing to advance the rights of women in the world. Let me talk about what we are doing to stand up for women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia. Let me talk about what we are doing to stand up for reproductive health and access to reproductive health services for all the women in Canada and the world.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I do indeed love to talk about the international rules-based order, because that is absolutely essential to the defence of the Canadian national interest in the world.
When it comes to the OECD, Canada is proud of our participation in this important organization. We have been clear from the start with the OECD that we support its work and will co-operate with it fully.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the illegal and unjust American tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum must be lifted. We are consistently sending this message to the United States, and it is being received.
American legislators have asked Ambassador Lighthizer to lift these tariffs. Republican Kevin Brady recently said that the tariffs should be lifted. On Monday, I raised this issue directly with the vice-president of the United States, Mike Pence.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the member for Brampton North for her commitment to this very important issue.
Canada called for a marked acceleration of Sri Lanka's accountability efforts directly at the UN Human Rights Council last March, and at the Commonwealth meeting last April.
Canada will join the United Kingdom, Germany, Macedonia and Montenegro as part of the core group in supporting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, working toward the upcoming Human Rights Council session.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government, and I believe all Canadians, are absolutely of the view that religious freedom is an essential part of human rights, and these are freedoms we should enjoy not only in Canada but around the world. We are very engaged with our partners around the world in protecting the religious freedom of all people, whether they be Christian or Muslim.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are unfair and illegal. Canada is working on these tariffs at the NAFTA and WTO round tables.
I spoke to Ambassador Robert Lighthizer about this issue yesterday and today. We continue to work on it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, as the member for Essex knows very well, we are not just talking when it comes to the illegal and unjust U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. We acted decisively on July 1 by imposing retaliatory tariffs, the highest, strongest retaliatory trade action in Canadian history. This action is having results. In fact, just this week, Kevin Brady said in the U.S. that he did not see how the U.S. could ratify NAFTA while these tariffs were still in place.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government has done a great deal of work on this file.
Our top priority is the well-being and safety of the Canadians detained by China. We now have the support of many of our allies, such as Australia, the European Union, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Spain. All these countries have openly supported the Canadian position.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to China, our top priority is the safety and well-being of the Canadians detained in China. This is a priority for the Prime Minister, for me and for the entire government. These arbitrary detentions are unacceptable to Canadians and to the international community.
The Prime Minister and I have both spoken to a number of international partners. We will stand by the statements of support we have received from many countries.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, there are so many false claims in that question that it is hard to even know where to start. However, let me try.
When it comes to our partners in the Asia-Pacific, Canada is proud to have signed the CPTPP, which is entering into force. In fact, we are the only G7 country with trade agreements with every other G7 country. That is a diplomatic and trade triumph.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to Meng Wanzhou, let me be very clear about the Government of Canada's position. First of all, Canada is a rule-of-law country and we are conducting a fair, unbiased and transparent legal proceeding. In fact, Madam Meng is currently on bail, as the court has ruled. There has been, as is correct, no political involvement in the process. Canada respects our international legal commitments, including our extradition treaty with the United States.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the only people playing political games when two Canadians are in a difficult situation are the members opposite, and that is truly reprehensible.
When it comes to the case of Ms. Meng, Canada is a rule-of-law country. We are proud to be a rule-of-law country. We have honoured our extradition treaty commitments, as we honour all of our international treaty commitments, and Ms. Meng has access to our impartial and fair judicial system.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the member to talk to his former colleagues in the NDP. Canadians need an apology from the member for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski and the NDP candidate in York—Simcoe for their defence of a dictatorship that has killed hundreds and injured thousands of peaceful protesters. If the NDP members cannot take a firm and clear stance on the fight of the people of Venezuela for democracy, I do not know what they can take a clear position on.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I was rather surprised yesterday to hear the member for Durham criticize Canada's retaliatory measures in response to the illegal and unjustified U.S. 232 tariffs. He called our response “dumb”. Our response was perfectly reciprocal, a dollar-for-dollar response. It was essential to defend our industry and our workers.
The Conservatives supported this at the time. Now they are losing their nerve. However, I guess that is no surprise from the party that urged us to capitulate on NAFTA.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like the Conservatives and the leader of the Conservative Party to be very clear. Is it the Conservative position now that Canada should unilaterally drop our retaliatory tariffs, because I want to tell—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like the Conservatives to come clean on what their policy is on Canada's just and correct retaliation, because here is what the Canadian Steel Producers Association said today, “Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are vital in protecting the jobs of 23,000 steelworkers.” We stand with them, do you?
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government is absolutely clear on the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed illegally and unjustly by the United States. Our view is that we have to fight these tariffs. We fight them with a strong retaliatory response, we fight them at the WTO and we fight them at NAFTA where we have preserved the chapter 19 tribunals.
What is unclear is the position of the Conservative Party, which seems, today, to be arguing that we should capitulate, just as it did on NAFTA.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me very clear. Canada strongly condemns Russian aggression toward Ukraine in the Kerch Strait and we call on Russia to immediately release the captured Ukrainian crew and vessels.
I spoke on the phone late last night with Ukraine's foreign minister, Pavlo Klimkin, and assured him of Canada's strong support. I have been directly in touch with Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary of the U.K., and Federica Mogherini, the high representative of the European Union. We are working closely with our allies. We strongly support Operation Unifier and we are in close touch with Ukrainians.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, as far as Saudi Arabia and the war in Yemen is concerned, I want to make something clear.
We condemn the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and we have called for a ceasefire in Yemen.
We are actively looking at other measures, including how we might use the Magnitsky act. Obviously, while we review the situation, no new export permits will be granted.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we condemn the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The explanations provided by Saudi Arabia are inconsistent and lack credibility. We continue to call for a thorough investigation in full cooperation with the Turkish authorities. Those responsible for this murder must be held to account and brought to justice.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the question.
As we told our G7 partners on Tuesday, we are very concerned about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. As we told our partners in the G7, of which Canada currently holds the presidency, all those responsible for this situation must be held to account. It is very important. We support the calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into these serious allegations.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, of course I do not think that is what Canadians want and that is why I said no such thing. Canada's position on human rights in general, very much including Saudi Arabia, is clear and firm. We took a clear and firm position in August, and I think that is something that Canadians can be proud of.
When it comes to the case of Jamal Khashoggi, we led a G7 foreign ministers' statement, which came out on Tuesday, saying that those responsible must be held to account.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the conclusion of the modernized NAFTA was a major accomplishment for Canada, a major accomplishment for Canadian businesses and for Canadian workers. One of the great achievements in this agreement was to keep de minimis levels low. That is something Canadian small businesses asked us to do. That is something we achieved, and we are glad we were able to do so.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would be delighted to, but I want to start by thanking the member for Cumberland—Colchester for his wisdom and the outstanding advice he gave me personally during the negotiations, especially on chapter 19.
He asks an excellent question. ISDS is now removed from the new trade agreement between Canada and the United States. That will save Canada from frivolous lawsuits like the one the member mentioned.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, Canada has spoken out very clearly about human rights and everyone knows it. That definitely includes Saudi Arabia, as everyone saw this summer.
With regard to Jamal Khashoggi, we are working closely with our G7 allies. We all spoke on Tuesday and we are all saying that a thorough and transparent investigation is needed to bring those responsible to justice.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
I want to point out once again that the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi is very troubling. Canada has made that very clear. That is the message that I sent to the Saudi Arabian foreign minister. I also initiated a discussion on the subject with my counterparts in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
We join our partners in calling for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we refused to capitulate and we got a good deal for Canadians. The agreement will protect billions of dollars in daily trade and support millions of jobs in Canada. The agreement enjoys broad support, whether it is by union leader Jerry Dias, provincial premiers or former ministers from all political parties.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, when we were in the heat of the negotiations, all we heard from the Conservatives was that we were being too tough, that I was being too tough, and that we should capitulate. Now that we have a—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, now that we have a deal, they have discovered their Monday morning courage.
We were tough when it mattered. We stood firm, and we got a good deal for Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, what we are hearing from the Conservatives is déjà vu all over again. They wanted us to capitulate on NAFTA. We did not. Now they want us to capitulate on steel and aluminum. We will not.
The U.S. has imposed illegal and unjustified tariffs. Canada responded with perfectly reciprocal dollar-for-dollar retaliation. The solution is for both sides to lift their tariffs, and that is what we are insisting on.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government's willingness to stand up for human rights around the world, including in Saudi Arabia, is very well known.
When it comes to the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, we are very concerned. I spoke earlier today about it with the Saudi Arabian foreign minister. I expressed Canada's deep concerns and asked for a thorough, transparent and credible investigation. I emphasized that those responsible must be held to account. We have been in very close touch with our G7 and NATO allies on this issue.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, there is more Monday morning courage on the other side of the House, and I would like to remind the member opposite of his own comments and the comments John Baird made following Canada's strong position standing up for human rights activists.
When it comes to Jamal Khashoggi, Canada is extremely—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the members opposite wish they had been more supportive of the government's position in August. When it comes to Jamal Khashoggi, we are very concerned. As I said earlier, I spoke this morning with the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, and we are working with our G7 and NATO allies.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the members opposite when it comes to standing up for women's rights and human rights around the world. I would like to remind them what John Baird said in August our government should be doing. We did not. We stood firm. We will continue to stand firm. When it comes to women's rights, women in Canada and around the world are proud of our feminist foreign policies supporting women here and around the world.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance is very troubling. That is the message I conveyed to the Saudi Arabian foreign minister today. I have also begun a discussion on this issue with my counterparts in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. We join our partners in calling for a full investigation.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the most important gain from this agreement is retaining our access to the U.S. market, and Canadians understand that.
However, the new trade agreement is significantly better than NAFTA 1.0 in important ways. We have gotten rid of investor-state dispute settlement, which allowed U.S. companies to sue the Government of Canada for hundreds of millions of dollars. The energy ratchet clause that restricted our sovereignty is gone.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I did not hear too many gracious words about our chief negotiator.
Canadians should listen to a Conservative who actually knows what he is talking about when it comes to trade. Former prime minister Brian Mulroney said yesterday, “This agreement is a highly significant achievement for Canada” and “Canada appears to have achieved most if not all of its important objectives in this lengthy and challenging set of negotiations.” I could not have said it better.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives seemed to have regained their confidence, which is surprising, since last year, Stephen Harper and the Conservatives were begging us to give in and accept any agreement, no matter the cost to Canadians.
Thanks to our patience and negotiating skills we managed to reach a good agreement for Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, there are many new developments. We have gotten rid of the NAFTA clause that undermined our sovereignty by preventing our government from controlling access to our precious energy resources. We have also gotten rid of the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, which cost over $300 million. The new rules in the auto sector are going to protect Canadian workers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we fully support our dairy producers, their families and their communities. It was a Liberal government that created the supply management system and it is a Liberal government that is preserving it. This agreement will provide market access, but most importantly it does not put the future of supply management in question. We will always support our agricultural producers and our dairy producers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government worked very hard to defend Canadians' interests. Our government defended our supply management system, which the U.S. sought to dismantle. We are the party that implemented supply management, and we are going to defend it. I want to assure dairy farmers that they will receive compensation.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking the member for Essex for her collaboration in our work on trade. She is a really great partner.
Trade diversification is an extremely important part of growing the Canadian economy and we are going to continue to increase our trade around the world. In fact, it is our government that concluded CETA and the CPTPP. NAFTA, as an agreement, has always had a way for parties to leave, and that is essential, but let me be clear: Canada retains full sovereignty and complete control over our trade relations.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, this is a question that is very close to my heart.
I want to assure Canada's steel and aluminum workers that we are 100% with them. That is why, when the illegal section 232 tariffs were imposed on Canada, our government did not hesitate. We responded immediately, in a measured dollar-for-dollar response.
That is standing up for our steel and aluminum workers, and that is what we are going to continue to do.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I guess the members opposite were shouting so much they did not hear me when I talked about the improvements we have made.
Let me go through it again. We have removed ISDS, which has allowed U.S. companies to sue our country and has cost us hundreds of millions of dollars. We have removed the energy ratchet clause, which hugely restricted Canadian sovereignty. We have tremendously improved the environment and labour chapters. The rules of origin in the auto sector will be a great advantage for high-wage Canadian workers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I prefer to listen to a Conservative who actually knows what he is talking about, like the first NAFTA negotiator, former prime minister Brian Mulroney, who said that this agreement is a highly significant achievement for Canada, while benefiting all three countries as it should. He said that Canada appears to have achieved most, if not all, of its important objectives, and he is right.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we negotiated an agreement that protects Canadian jobs and creates opportunities for the middle class. It also preserves the dispute settlement system, maintains supply management, and supports our auto sector workers.
If we had given in when Stephen Harper told us to a year ago, we would not have any of this.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the hypocrisy on the other side of the aisle is astonishing to me.
Before we got this deal, what we were hearing from the Conservatives was that we needed to start surrendering as quickly as possible. What we were hearing was a criticism of our view, which was that no deal is better than a bad deal.
We stood firm and we got a good deal for Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, it is a bit rich to hear from the member on the other side of the aisle who lectures on the dangers of capitulation.
Our government is the one that in the face of hesitation, anxiety and hand-wringing from the other side of the aisle, stood firm and was resolute in defence of Canadian national interests. That is why we got a good deal.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Yet again, Mr. Speaker, it is very easy the day after to preach strength and firmness. That is not what we were hearing before this deal got done.
Let me correct the member opposite on a factual point, because it is important to tell the truth to Canadians. There is of course no cap, no quota on Canadian autos and car part exports to the United States. That is why the share prices of Canadian car part companies soared on Monday.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we fully support our dairy producers, their families and their communities. A Liberal government created supply management, and it is a Liberal government that is preserving it.
This agreement will provide some market access, but the most important thing is that the future of supply management is secure. I want to emphasize that dairy producers will be fully compensated.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. We fully support our dairy producers, their families and their communities. After all, it was a Liberal government that created supply management, and it is a Liberal government that is preserving supply management.
This agreement will provide some market access, but the most important thing, and what we achieved, was to preserve the future of supply management, which the U.S. had sought to dismantle. I want to emphasize that dairy producers will be fully and fairly compensated.
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