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Results: 91 - 105 of 270
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I'm going to have to stop talking. I'm sorry.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you very much for the question, Jati.
Actually, this gives me an opportunity to acknowledge another official, Mark Gwozdecky. He is the director of policy in the department. As I was walking in here, I was asking Mark how we are doing on some of the issues in the communiqué.
Indeed, this has been a focus of Canadian foreign policy for some time and a major theme in our G7 year. As you mentioned, the G7 foreign ministers met shortly after the Salisbury attack, which was yet another gross violation of international norms by Russia. In fact, the G7 was able to act before the foreign ministers' meeting with a strong G7 statement in solidarity with our British partners and allies, condemning this attack.
I know that was very much appreciated by the United Kingdom, and I think a very powerful message was sent following tet Salisbury attack by the very strong action by the international community, including Canada, in expelling Russian diplomats in response. I think that demonstration of international unity was very powerful and was an example of Canada using our G7 presidency this year to really play a leadership role in bringing together that coalition and in supporting democracy and the sovereignty of our allies.
I thank this committee for its work on the Magnitsky legislation, which I mentioned earlier. That, of course, has been an important additional tool, which we have in our diplomatic tool box and have been able to use with regard to our policy towards Russia.
Canada has been very closely engaged and supportive of our partners, the Netherlands and Australia, in the recent report about the MH17 tragedy, another important example. As we have discussed with regard to the Rohingya, this is an example of the importance of the rules-based order, the importance of gathering evidence, and the importance and value of establishing accountability. It is an issue that Canada is following very closely and will continue to follow closely. I think it is an important issue, which is emerging during this, our G7 presidency year.
I'd just like to make a final point, which was certainly an element of the G7 foreign ministers meeting and I expect will be an important issue when the G7 leaders meet very soon, and that is the importance of standing up for and defending our democracies against foreign interference. Something that we are encountering, particularly from Russia, is a very orchestrated attempt to undermine our democratic institutions from the inside and to undermine the credibility and effectiveness of how our democracies work. It's very important for us as Canadians to be aware of this issue and to work hard to stand up for our democracies. I intentionally say “us as Canadians”, not just as parliamentarians.
It's an issue that I discussed with the Prime Minister of Estonia last week, and he brought with him his official who is specifically in charge of countering cyber-threats from Russia. This official said that it may be easier in Estonia than in other countries because their public is very prepared for this and has the natural defences. I think that is a lesson that all of the democracies can and must learn from countries like our partners in the Baltic States and from countries like Ukraine. This is a threat that may have begun in the Baltic States and in Ukraine, but it is very much an issue for us here in Canada.
I think it's an important issue for the world's leading industrial democracies—that's what the G7 is—to be addressing. We are seeing that action, and Canada is very much playing a leading role there.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I'm delighted you asked that question, because the cuts to funding for election monitoring were actually cuts made by the Conservative government of Stephen Harper.
I want to assure members of this committee and all Canadians that our government is absolutely committed to restoring the funding for election monitoring. Ukraine—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Hang on, hang on, hang on—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
—I didn't cut you off, Garnett. Hang on, hang on—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I haven't finished my answer.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
No, I have not finished my answer.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
No, no, no, I'm—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
No, no, I'm going to finish my answer, please.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I'm sorry, I'm sorry—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
No, no, I—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Chair, I'm sorry, I think the mike has to be cut off, please.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you.
I'm happy to take your questions, but I'd ask you to behave as the other members of the committee do and listen to the answer.
I am glad to take this opportunity here to make an absolute commitment to all Canadians and to the people of Ukraine that Canada will be energetically engaged in election monitoring in Ukraine next year. The elections in Ukraine next year are an absolutely critical moment, and we will be there.
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Results: 91 - 105 of 270 | Page: 7 of 18

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