Parliamentary Speeches

Mr. Speaker, “Love for All, Hatred for None” is the motto of our Ahmadi community here in Canada. This is not simply an ideal. This is an action that the community practises every day. Its commitment to service, compassion and interfaith dialogue continues to make a positive impact in communities across our country. Recently I had the honour to attend the international peace symposium hosted by His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the caliph and worldwide leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. The peace symposium brought together leaders from around the world to discuss actions to achieve peace, dialogue, justice and mutual understanding in an increasingly uncertain and dangerous world. I also had the distinct honour to have a personal meeting with His Holiness, the Caliph, during which we discussed a range of challenges that all Canadians are facing every day. I sincerely thank the community for inviting me, for its service to Canada and, most importantly, for not only preaching the words “Love for All, Hatred for None” but practising them.

moved that the bill be read the third time and passed. Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise here to speak to Bill S-210. If passed, this bill will designate September as Ukrainian heritage month in Canada. As the sponsor of this bill in the House, I will give brief remarks today. I will not be using all of my time. The government side will not be putting up any other speakers, and the majority of the parties in the House have agreed not to have MPs speak to this bill today, to ensure that we can have debate collapse today on this bill so debate ends before the time allocated for it comes to a close. Why is this happening? All parties support the passage of this bill. We know that because it has been unanimously supported at second reading and unanimously supported at the heritage committee, and it has come back from the committee to the House without amendments. There is no doubt about that. If the bill continues on a normal schedule, it will likely pass sometime in the fall. Normally, this would be just fine, but former senator Stan Kutcher, who is the Senate sponsor of this bill, and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress have made the request that we expedite the passage of this bill so a final vote on this bill can be held next week. They have done so because the former senator is in poor health. In fact, that is why the former senator resigned his seat in the Senate several weeks ago, because his health did not allow him to continue his work. As the House sponsor, I have spoken with many colleagues about this, on all sides of the House. I want to be clear that I have no personal political interest in seeing this happen. I know that the bill will pass soon. I know it will probably pass in the fall. However, I do have an interest in this on a personal level, as I think all of us in the House do as well. Because the senator is in poor health, I believe it is the compassionate and humane thing to do to set aside the various political considerations we all have all the time and pass this bill while the senator's health allows him to be here to watch it happen. The senator, members of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, who are watching this debate, and I have reached out to all parties over the past few months to ask for help in expediting the passage of this bill for this reason. From my end, I want members to know that I have done what I can as the House sponsor. I have traded up with other MPs so the bill gets debated sooner than it would have been otherwise. Normally, we would be at this stage in the fall. I have spoken with members of the heritage committee to ask for their help in this, and they have helped with this. I thank the heritage committee members for that. I have reached out to all parties in advance of this debate, as has the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, to ask for their help in allowing debate to collapse today. The reason this is important, for those who are not familiar with parliamentary procedure, is that if debate collapses today, the bill can go to a final vote next week and pass. If debate does not collapse today, the bill would probably not get to a final vote until at least the fall. My request to all MPs of all parties is that we allow the debate to collapse today. The majority of the parties have agreed to do what they can to make this happen. I appeal to members of all parties to allow debate to end before the allotted time is complete today so this bill can go to a final vote next week and so that former senator Kutcher can be here to watch it pass. For the benefit of those watching at home who have not followed the debate, I just want to say a few words about the bill. The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada arrived on September 7, 1891. Since then, generation upon generation of Ukrainians have come to Canada, many of them fleeing oppression and seeking a better life. They found that life here in Canada. Ukrainian Canadians have helped to make Canada the great country it is today, and their contributions span our political, economic and social life, and much more. That is why, for example, in 2011, the Ontario legislature passed a law, unanimously supported by all parties at that time, to declare September 7 Ukrainian Heritage Day in Ontario. At the time, I was president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Ontario Provincial Council, and I was proud to have been one of the people who wrote that bill and helped to get it passed. That is also why I am proud to have introduced my own Ukrainian heritage month legislation in each of the last three Parliaments to do the same thing this bill would do, designate September as Ukrainian heritage month in Canada. Some have asked me why the three bills I introduced have not passed. The reason is that after every election, as all members know, MPs are put into a lottery to determine the order in which their bills come up for debate here in the House. Usually, in a four-year term, I believe about 60 to 80 MPs can have their bills debated and voted on. After each election, I have not been lucky enough to be in the top 80 in that lottery. I have been too far down. This time around, I think I am 218 or so. I have not been able to have a bill I have introduced here come to a vote. I want to be clear that this is not for lack of effort on my part. I have done everything I can to pass it, but it has simply not been possible. In fact, we can all think of examples of this on all sides. We have members here who have been elected for decades and have never had a bill pass. We recently had a member on our side who, after over 20 years in elected office, finally had a bill pass for the first time. That is how hard it is to pass a bill, because of the procedure. The fact that the bill we are debating today was introduced by a senator who was high enough in the order in the Senate, and given that it was passed in the Senate, it was given priority here in the House, is what gives us the opportunity to pass it. I just want folks to understand those dynamics. The reasons to support this bill, I think, are pretty clear. We have debated them before. First, it is an opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian heritage, which we see in our communities and every one of our ridings from coast to coast to coast. Second, it is a national acknowledgement of the people whose contributions have shaped Canada for about 135 years. Third, since 1891, Ukrainian Canadians have come to Canada seeking a better life, and since 1891, Canada has supported them. That is why Canada was the first country in the world to recognize Ukraine's independence in 1991. That is why Canada was among the first countries in the world to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide. That is why our government has been a global leader in supporting the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend themselves against Russia's brutal invasion. I would argue that there has never been a more important time to pass this bill than now. For the past four years, Ukrainians have been defending themselves against that invasion, and Canada has been a global leader in supporting them. I believe there are two key reasons we support the people of Ukraine. The first is that it is the right thing to do. It is the moral thing to do. The second reason is that it is the right thing for Canada. This is because I believe Ukraine's victory is vital to Canada's security. If Russia wins, we know it will not stop at Ukraine. We know this because Vladimir Putin has told us so. He is leading a hybrid war against European countries right now. He has sent drones over military bases in NATO. He has claimed, in the past, parts of the Canadian Arctic as Russian territory. European, French and German military and political leaders are publicly saying that their people have to be ready for a land war with Russia in the next five years. Therefore, Russia's invasion is not just about Ukraine. Ukraine is just the first step in Putin's expansionist ambitions. If Russia succeeds in Ukraine, make no mistake that NATO will be next. That means we will be next. We will be fighting to defend ourselves against Russian aggression, whether in Europe, the Canadian Arctic or somewhere else, so either we pay a small price now to help Ukraine win, or we pay a much bigger price later, in Canadian dollars and in Canadian lives. That is why I believe we have to stand with the Ukrainian people until they win. That is why Canada has been a global leader in supporting Ukraine, with over $25 billion in support since 2022: military, humanitarian, financial and more. Ukraine is fighting on the front lines of the global struggle between democracy and tyranny. Its struggle is our struggle. That is why there has never been a more important time to adopt this bill. This bill honours the past, strengthens the present and inspires the future. Ukrainian heritage month would offer a special opportunity for us to celebrate Ukrainian heritage, the role that Canada has played in supporting Ukrainian Canadians, and the contributions that Ukrainian Canadians have made to Canada. I hope all members of this House will not only support this bill, because I know all members of this House do support it, but join us in allowing debate to collapse today so we can pass it next week, with the former senator watching, and designate each September, including this coming September, as Ukrainian heritage month across Canada.

moved for leave to introduce Bill C‑283, An Act to establish Somali Heritage Month. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce Bill C‑283, an act respecting Somali Heritage Month. If passed, the bill would declare July of every year Somali heritage month across Canada. I would like to thank the member for York South—Weston—Etobicoke for co-sponsoring the bill with me, and I hope members on all sides of the chamber will support the bill. Canada is home to many Canadians of Somali heritage. They have left and continue to leave an important mark on our country and on communities across the country, and they have touched our economic, social and political life. Somali heritage month would give us an opportunity to celebrate that heritage and the role that Canada has played in supporting Somali Canadians, and to celebrate their contributions to Canada. Every July, it would give some Somali Canadians another reason to celebrate their Canadian pride and another reason to say, “Somalia hanoolaato”. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Mr. Speaker, the members of our committee worked very hard, and now I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fifth report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages, entitled “Proposals from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages Regarding the Draft Proposed Regulations Under Part VII of the Official Languages Act”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Mr. Speaker, oral health care is health care, and that is why I am so proud that our government launched the Canadian dental care program. For millions of Canadians with a family income under $90,000, it has made life more affordable and provided access to dental care they would not otherwise be able to access. It is also helping to prevent other, more serious health conditions that arise without proper oral care. A key group of people in delivering oral care to Canadians are hygienists. I do not know if you knew this, Mr. Speaker, but April is Oral Health Month, and part of the celebration is National Dental Hygienists Week, which ran from April 4 to April 10. This annual event is sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and is focused on the importance of good oral health practices while underlining the role of the dental hygiene profession in preventing and treating oral health issues. This year's theme of “oral health for total health” reminds us that taking care of our mouth, teeth and gums has a positive impact on other aspects of our life and our health care. Dental hygienists play a critical role in prevention, early intervention, treatment and education in Etobicoke and across Canada. We thank them. Happy Oral Health Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition that has been signed by over 47,900 Canadians. The signatures come from every province and territory across Canada. The petition concerns individuals who came to Canada under temporary emergency immigration measures, such as the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel and similar programs under which people live and work in Canada on visas. The petitioners note that many of these individuals have lived and worked in Canada for several years, contributing to our communities and economy. At the same time, they cannot return home due to circumstances beyond their control, and they face barriers in accessing permanent residency through existing pathways. The petitioners call on the Government of Canada to consider establishing a dedicated one-time pathway to permanent residency for eligible individuals currently in Canada under these emergency measures. I am pleased to present this petition to the House on behalf of the petitioners.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition that has been signed by over 2,500 Canadians. The petition concerns ethical issues in public life, specifically the impact of disinformation and misinformation in political communications. The petitioners note concerns about the effects of disinformation on public trust and democratic debate, and they reference findings from Canadian security agencies identifying disinformation as a threat to democratic institutions. The petitioners call on the House of Commons to consider measures to strengthen transparency, accountability, digital literacy and coordination across governments in responding to political disinformation.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages with respect to the motion adopted on Thursday, February 5, 2026, regarding the historical interpretation of the events and actions that contributed to the decline of the French language in Canada and in Quebec. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Mr. Speaker, today marks four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have been outmanned and outgunned, but they have shown tremendous courage in defending their homeland. Unable to win on the battlefield, Russia has resolved to pursue war crimes, including most recently trying to destroy the power grid to freeze millions of Ukrainians into surrender. They will never surrender, but they need our help. For me, there are two reasons we support Ukraine. The first is that is the right thing to do. It is the moral thing to do. The second reason is that it is the right thing for Canada. If Russia wins, it will not stop at Ukraine, and NATO countries will be next. We know this because Vladimir Putin has told us so. That is why Ukraine's victory is vital to Canada's security. Canada has been a global leader in supporting Ukraine since 2022, with over $25 billion in support. I know that under the Prime Minister's leadership, that support will continue. The Ukrainian people are not only fighting for their own freedom and security; they are also fighting for ours. We need to fight for them until they win, until we all win. Slava Ukraini.

Mr. Speaker, there have been discussions among the parties, and if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent for the following motion. That the House: (a) condemn Russia's ongoing, unjustified, full-scale military invasion of Ukraine; (b) call on Russia to cease its hostilities against Ukraine and withdraw to recognized international borders; (c) strongly condemn Russia's deliberate and ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, depriving civilians of heat, electricity and basic services, particularly during the winter months; (d) reaffirm the Government of Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine, its territorial integrity, and independence and sovereignty within internationally recognized borders and territorial waters; (e) affirm Canada's commitment to working toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the region; (f) support the establishment of robust and legally binding security guarantees to Ukraine; (g) acknowledge the work of the Government of Canada, provinces, and territories, in assisting those displaced by Russia's ongoing, unjust, invasion of Ukraine; and (h) recognize Canada's leadership at the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and call for all possible efforts to be made to ensure the return of all Ukrainian prisoners of war, illegally detained civilians and children forcibly deported to Russia, and to support efforts to bring to justice those responsible for war crimes before the International Criminal Court.

Madam Speaker, I am honoured to rise in the House today to speak to Bill S-210. This legislation, if passed, would declare September of every year Ukrainian heritage month across Canada. I would like to begin by thanking the members who just spoke for sharing their stories. I thank them for supporting this bill. There were members from Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. I thank them. The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada arrived on September 7, 1891, and Ukrainian Canadians have since then helped to make Canada the great country that it is today. Those contributions span our economic, political, social and cultural life. That is why I was so proud in the last three parliaments to introduce a bill that would declare September Ukrainian heritage month, and that is why I am so proud to sponsor this bill in the House today. Many Canadians are watching this debate at home. Some of them are immigrants to Canada from Ukraine. Some of them are the children and grandchildren of immigrants to Canada from Ukraine. My mother and my grandparents were immigrants to Canada from Ukraine. My grandparents Ivan and Olena came to Canada after World War II, fleeing oppression and seeking a better life, like so many people who have come to Canada over the years from all around the world. They were incredibly proud of their Ukrainian heritage, but they were also incredibly proud to be Canadian. In fact, I have said this many times, and some members have heard me say it, my grandparents were among the proudest Canadians I have ever known. To ensure that I learned about my Ukrainian heritage, my grandparents and my parents insisted I attend Saturday school, where we would learn the Ukrainian language, history, traditions and more. Every Saturday, after Saturday school, my grandfather would pick me up. We would have lunch together, and then he would help me with my Saturday school homework for the following week. Members can imagine that when I was a teenager, when I was a kid, I was not so fond of Saturday school. I was not so fond of doing homework on Saturday afternoons either. One day I was very frustrated, I was struggling, and I said to my grandfather, whom I called Dido, “Dido, I don't want to do this anymore. I want to stop.” He said to me, “Yvan, you cannot stop. Let me tell you why. I'm very proud of my heritage, and I think if you learn more, you will be too.” Then he said, “I want you to learn about the Ukrainian people because so many of them came here to Canada. They came before you did, they came before I did, and they helped to make this country great. I want you to learn about the people who made Canada great.” For 135 years, Canadians of Ukrainian descent have left a historic mark on our country. Their contributions span communities across Ontario and every riding represented here in the House of Commons. Most recently, since 2022, Canadians have generously welcomed approximately 200,000 Ukrainians to Canada who were fleeing the war in Ukraine. Those immigrants to Canada from Ukraine have worked very hard. They have contributed to our communities. They are filling jobs that in many cases cannot be filled by Canadians, and they are making important contributions to Canada. Through the bill before us, Parliament would recognize these contributions over those 135 years. Ukrainian Canadians have contributed to Canada, but Canada has also supported Ukrainian Canadians. Canada was the first western country to recognize Ukraine's independence in 1991 and was among the first countries to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide. Our government has been a global leader in supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia's brutal invasion. To me, there are two key reasons we support the people of Ukraine right now. The first is, of course, because it is the right thing to do. It is the moral thing to do. Ukrainians are defending themselves against a brutal invasion and war crimes every day. The second reason is that it is the right thing for Canada. Ukraine's victory is vital to Canada's security. If Russia wins, it will not stop at Ukraine. We know this because Vladimir Putin has told us so. If Russia wins, if Russia prevails in Ukraine, then Canadians, Americans and Europeans will be next in defending ourselves against Russian aggression, whether that is in Europe, in the Canadian Arctic or somewhere else in the world. That is why Canada is a global leader in supporting Ukraine, and that is why it has never been more important to pass a Ukrainian heritage month bill than it is today. Ukraine's most prolific poet, Taras Shevchenko, once famously said: [Member spoke in Ukrainian and provided the following translation:] Teach, read and learn from others, but be proud of that which is your own. [English] Today I feel the way the people at home feel, the way my parents and grandparents would feel if they were here today, the way generations of Ukrainians who came to Canada would feel if they were here today: proud of their Ukrainian heritage, proud of the contributions Ukrainian Canadians have made to Canada and proud to be Canadian.

moved that Bill S-210, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today in the House to speak to Bill S-210, an act respecting Ukrainian heritage month. The legislation, if passed in the House, would designate the month of September as Ukrainian heritage month in Canada. The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada arrived on September 7, 1891. Since then, generation upon generation of Ukrainians have come to Canada, many of them fleeing oppression and seeking a better life. Ukrainian Canadians have helped to make Canada the great country that it is today, and their contributions span our economic, political, cultural and social life. That is why, for example, in 2011, the Ontario legislature passed a law, unanimously supported by all parties, to declare September 7 as Ukrainian Heritage Day. When I was president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress's Ontario Provincial Council at the time, I was proud to be one of the people who wrote the bill and helped to get it passed. That is why I am so proud, as their member of Parliament, to have introduced my own bill in the House of Commons in the last three Parliaments to designate the month of September, every year, as Ukrainian heritage month. I would like to thank the member of the other place who introduced the bill and the many members who co-sponsored the bill with me. I hope that members on all sides of the House will support this legislation. Watching the debate at home right now are members and leaders of the Ukrainian Canadian community. Some of them are immigrants to Canada from Ukraine. Some of them are the children and grandchildren of immigrants to Canada from Ukraine. My mother and my grandparents were immigrants to Canada from Ukraine. My grandparents, Ivan and Olena, came to Canada fleeing oppression and seeking a better life, like so many people who have immigrated to Canada from Ukraine over the past almost 135 years. My grandparents were incredibly proud of their Ukrainian heritage, but they were also incredibly proud to be Canadian. In fact, I have said many times, and many here have heard me say this before, that my grandparents were among the proudest Canadians I have ever known. To ensure that I learned about my Ukrainian heritage, my parents and my grandparents insisted that I attend Saturday school. This was not unique to me. This is common to members of the Ukrainian Canadian community. After Saturday school, every Saturday, my grandfather used to pick me up. We used to have lunch together, and then he would help me with my Saturday school homework for the following week. During classes and as I did this homework, I learned the Ukrainian language, culture, history, traditions, etc. I have to tell the House and I have to admit that when I was a teenager and when I was a kid, I was not so fond of Saturday school. I really did not enjoy doing homework on Saturday afternoons either. There was one day in particular when I was very frustrated. I was struggling with whatever it was that I was working on with my grandfather. I called him Dido. I said, “Dido, I do not want to do this anymore. I want to stop.” He said to me, “You cannot stop. Let me tell you why. I am incredibly proud of my heritage and my homeland, and I think that as you learn more, you will be too.” Then, he also said, “I want you to learn about the history of the Ukrainian people, because so many of them came here to Canada. They came before you did, they came before I did, and they helped to make this country great. I want you to learn about the people who made Canada great.” Since 1891, Canadians of Ukrainian descent have left a historic mark on our country. Their contributions span communities from coast to coast to coast, in all the ridings represented here today. They have impacted our economic, political, cultural and social life. The significance of the bill goes beyond just cultural recognition. It is not merely a symbolic gesture that we are undertaking here today. It is a national acknowledgement of people whose contributions have shaped Canada for almost 135 years. Since 1891, Ukrainian Canadians have played an important role in making Canada the great country that it is today, and through the bill, Parliament, among other things, is recognizing these important contributions. Since 1891, Ukrainians have been coming to Canada seeking a better life, and since 1891, Canada has supported them. That is why Canada was the first country in the western world to recognize Ukraine's independence in 1991. That is why Canada was among the first countries in the world to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide. That is why our government has been a global leader in supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against Russia's brutal invasion. We are relentless in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Through the bill, Parliament is also recognizing those contributions, the steps that Canada has taken to support the Ukrainian Canadian community and the people of Ukraine. There has never been a more important time to adopt the bill than today. I told a story about my grandfather helping me with my Saturday school homework. Now I want to tell members a story about my grandfather from 1991, when Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union. I was with my Dido Ivan that day, and we were watching the news coverage of what was happening in Ukraine. For context, my grandfather was born in Ukraine and grew up in Ukraine under Soviet occupation. On many occasions, like many of the people who are watching at home, families risked their lives to achieve a free and independent Ukraine, just as the people of Ukraine are doing as we speak. In 1991, we were sitting in his home in Toronto in Bloor West Village. We were watching the news, watching Ukraine declare its independence, which may have been one of the most proud days of his life. At one point in our conversation, my grandfather said now that Ukraine was independent, we had to continue the fight for Ukraine's independence. I think I was 13 or 14 years old at the time, and I said, “Dido, what are you talking about? It is over. This is done. The Ukrainian people want independence. The world has recognized it. It is done." I said, “Dido, you are wrong.” Of course, I was wrong. In 2008, Russia invaded Georgia and the world got it wrong. In 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine, first in eastern Ukraine and then Crimea, and the world got it wrong. We cannot afford to get this wrong again. Canada has been a global leader in supporting Ukraine since 2022. I believe that there are two key reasons we need to support Ukraine. The first reason is that it is the right thing to do. It is the moral thing to do. Ukrainian people are bravely fighting back to defend themselves against a brutal invasion and war crimes that are occurring daily, and we see that in the news every day. The other reason is that supporting Ukraine is the right thing for Canada, because Ukraine's victory is vital to Canada's security. If Russia wins, it is not going to stop at Ukraine. We know this because Vladimir Putin has told us so over and over again. Just recently, Vladimir Putin sent Russian drones over European military bases, NATO military bases. In the past, Putin has claimed parts of the Canadian Arctic as Russian territory. European military and political leaders, elected leaders in western Europe, are publicly saying that Europe has to be ready for a full-blown land war with Russia in the coming years. Russia's invasion is not just about Ukraine. Ukraine is just the first step in Russia's expansionist ambitions. If Russia succeeds in Ukraine, it is not going to stop there. Canadians, Americans and Europeans will be next. We will be defending ourselves against Russian aggression, whether that is with our NATO partners in Europe, in the Canadian Arctic or somewhere else in the world. We either pay a smaller price now to help Ukraine win, or we pay a much larger price later, in Canadian dollars and in Canadian lives. That is why we must stand with the Ukrainian people now until they win. As I said, the government has been a global leader in supporting Ukraine. Since 2022, Canada has committed over $22 billion in support for Ukraine. I want to highlight some of the types of aid that Canada has provided. Canada has provided $6.5 billion in military assistance alone. This includes a range of things, including air defence missiles, howitzers, Leopard 2 tanks, drones, armoured vehicles and other critical equipment. Canada's military training mission, Operation Unifier, has trained over 44,000 Ukrainian soldiers and over 300 Canadian Armed Forces members remain deployed on this mission. Canada has also committed $389 million to train Ukrainian fighter pilots for the F-16 jets that have been contributed by allies, and more than $140 million to support Ukraine's domestic drone production. That is military aid alone. On the financial side, Canada has provided over $12.6 billion in direct financial assistance. Canada is the largest contributor of financial support to Ukraine, direct or multilateral, per capita in the world. This includes almost $7 billion in loans through the IMF, $500 million in direct bilateral loans and an over $5-billion contribution to the G7's new extraordinary revenue acceleration loans for Ukraine. Canada has also played a leadership role in strengthening Ukraine's economy and long-term resilience, including the modernization and parliamentary ratification here in this Parliament of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, which many members here voted in support of. Since 2022, Canada has sanctioned nearly 2,300 people and more than 1,000 entities in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. In total, almost 4,900 individuals and entities are currently sanctioned under Canada's autonomous sanction laws. Ukraine is fighting on the front lines of the global struggle between democracy and tyranny. Its struggle is our struggle. That is why we must support the Ukrainian people until we win. That is why Canada is a global leader in supporting Ukraine. Coming back to the legislation before us, this bill honours the past, strengthens the present and inspires the future. Ukrainian heritage month will offer a special opportunity for us to celebrate Ukrainian heritage, the role that Canada has played in supporting Ukrainian Canadians and the contributions that Ukrainian Canadians have made to Canada. This is not just a symbolic gesture. It is a concrete, enduring recognition of a community that has shaped this country and continues to do so every day, in every riding represented here by members of the House of Commons. For me, as I mentioned earlier, as a descendant of Ukrainian immigrants and Ukrainian Canadians, this legislation has a personal element, but it is profoundly national. By passing Bill S-210, Parliament will be affirming that Ukrainian Canadians are integral to Canada, that their heritage deserves celebration and that Canada stands with the Ukrainian people, not only in wartime but all the time. I urge all members of the House to support Bill S-210 and to join me in designating each September as Ukrainian heritage month in Canada. I want to finish with some words from Ukraine's most prolific poet, Taras Shevchenko, who once famously said the following. [Member spoke in Ukrainian] [English] Translated, this means “teach, read and learn from others but always be proud of that which is your own”. Today, I feel what my grandparents would feel, what a lot of the people watching at home feel, what their parents and their grandparents would feel and what generations of Ukrainian Canadians who have come to Canada for almost 135 years would feel if they were here today, proud of the contributions that Ukrainian Canadians have made to Canada since 1891, proud of their Ukrainian heritage and proud to be Canadian.

Mr. Speaker, what I would say to the member opposite is that today we are debating Ukrainian heritage month, the contributions of Ukrainian Canadians to Canada, what Canada has done to support Ukrainian Canadians and Ukrainian people, and how important it is to pass this bill, at this very time, in a non-partisan fashion, as was done in the other place. I will just say, let us all come together and support Ukrainian heritage month. People in the Ukrainian Canadian community are watching. Canadians are watching. They would want us to come together on this.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his remarks. I am fortunate to work with him and other colleagues on the Canada-Ukraine Friendship Group. He is a great ally of Ukraine and the Ukrainian cause. I sincerely thank him for his work and his efforts. With respect to his question, I think it is important to celebrate Ukrainian heritage because it is an important part of Canadian multiculturalism. I think it is especially important right now, as Ukrainians are fighting to defend that heritage. I thank my colleague for his support.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his kind words. I want to say that the work Canada is doing on Ukraine is a result of the work of many members. It is a real team effort. I want to thank him and other colleagues for their support. We would not have gotten here without that. This is a team effort. It is in Ukraine's interest. It is the right thing to do, but it is in our interest. We have to make sure the Ukrainians win. I thank colleagues for their support.

Mr. Speaker, there are two points I would make. First of all, Canada actually, in the last government, enabled the pumping of much more natural gas to global markets, which ultimately helps ensure the gas gets to Europe and other allies, brings the price down for our European allies and gets the supply up. Second, the Prime Minister signed an agreement with the Premier of Alberta for an MOU for a pipeline. Therefore, we are working on energy and we are working on supporting Ukraine.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member opposite for introducing this bill. My personal view is that it is really important that Canada has a sanctions regime that allows us to not only uphold human rights, but also enforce the international rules-based order. That is not just the right thing for countries around the world to do; it is essential to protecting Canada's security and sovereignty. Based on discussions I have had with colleagues and folks outside of this House, many folks have ideas or thoughts about how the bill could be further improved to further strengthen our sanctions regime. Is the member open to working with members of other parties in this House to amend the bill to make it even stronger and more effective?

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak to this bill. For generations, people around the world have looked at Canada as a champion of human rights, of democratic values and of the international rules-based order. These principles define who we are as Canadians, but they also help keep us safe. They protect our sovereignty and security, and they shape how we engage with the world. Today, as we consider Bill C-219, we are examining how Canada can continue to confront authoritarian aggression, defend human rights and protect those who are targeted by oppressive regimes, whether they live abroad or within our own borders here in Canada. We are having this debate at a time when the global landscape has changed dramatically. Russia's unjust and illegal war on Ukraine is one of the clearest examples of why effective modern sanctions tools are so important. Throughout the brutal invasion, Russia is attempting to eliminate Ukraine as a sovereign nation. The invasion has been marked by mass atrocities, forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia, political repression, transnational intimidation of diaspora communities here at home, deliberate destruction of Ukraine's culture and identity, and more. Canada has responded by deploying one of the strongest sanction regimes in the world to hold those who are responsible accountable. Canada has responded with concrete action, not just with sanctions, but with military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine to help Ukraine defend itself and help hold Russia accountable. Since 2022, Canada has committed over $22 billion in support for Ukraine. I want to outline some of the support we have provided, because I think it is really important. We have provided about $6.5 billion in military assistance. This includes air defence missiles, M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 tanks, drones, armoured vehicles and other critical equipment. Canada's military training mission, Operation Unifier, has trained more than 44,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and over 300 Canadian Armed Forces members remain deployed in support of this mission. When I think about 44,000 Ukrainians who have been trained and prepared to fight to defend their country by Canada, it makes me proud. Canada has also committed $389 million to train Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilots and more than $140 million to support Ukraine's domestic drone production. On the financial side, Canada has provided over $12.4 billion in direct financial assistance, which is the highest contribution of financial aid per capita of any country in the world. This includes more than $6.75 billion in loans through the IMF, $500 million in direct bilateral loans, Canada's $5-billion contribution to the G7's new extraordinary revenue acceleration loans for Ukraine and much more. Canada has also played a leadership role in strengthening Ukraine's economy and long-term resilience, including with the modernization and parliamentary ratification of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. These are some of the things we have done to support the people of Ukraine since 2022. It is not an exhaustive list, but my point is that Canada is a global leader in supporting Ukraine on a number of fronts, with financial, military and humanitarian aid, diplomatic support and a whole range of measures. There are also sanctions. Since 2022, Canada has sanctioned nearly 2,300 people and more than 1,000 entities in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. In total, about 4,900 people and entities are currently sanctioned under Canada's autonomous sanctions laws. These actions matter; they really do. They restrict financial networks, freeze assets and signal that Canada will not tolerate violations of international law. They also impose consequences on those who violate human rights and the international rules-based order that protects countries around the world and protects Canada's sovereignty and security. I outline this because it shows the scale of the challenge before us and the importance of sanctions as one of the tools in Canada's response to authoritarian aggression of any kind. Bill C-219 speaks directly to this. Its intent, I believe, is to strengthen Canada's sanctions framework, improve accountability and modernize the tools we use to confront human rights abuses and authoritarian influence. I want to acknowledge the sponsor of the bill for bringing these important issues forward. There is much in this bill that I believe deserves careful consideration. Bill C-219 proposes some important and necessary changes that I believe are important for Canada to make. The bill proposes adding transnational repression, for example, as a trigger for sanctions under both the Special Economic Measures Act and the Magnitsky act. This is increasingly important. Around the world we see regimes harassing, threatening or even attacking dissidents living abroad, including here in Canada. Russia, Iran, China and others are using these tactics to intimidate communities, suppress free expression and extend their reach beyond their borders. Canada must have the tools to respond decisively. I believe there are ways that Bill C-219 could go even further on transnational repression by broadening the scope of this provision to include additional triggers. The bill suggests that it would strengthen enforcement by increasing penalties for sanction violations and improving information sharing between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the RCMP and FINTRAC. On its face, these would be constructive steps that I believe align with Canada's intention to combat corruption, cut off illicit funding flows and protect the integrity of our democratic institutions. The bill would update the long and short titles under the Special Economic Measures Act to better reflect the seriousness of the threats we face. These changes bring greater coherence to our legal framework and mirror developments in the approaches taken by many of our allies. These elements reflect good intention and respond to some very important global challenges. There are, however, important concerns that some folks have, that some of my colleagues have and that I have with what is proposed in Bill C-219. It is our duty as parliamentarians, every time a bill is brought forward, to examine carefully whether every aspect of the bill is workable and responsible. There are elements in the bill that, as currently drafted, may undermine public safety or hinder the effectiveness of the very sanctions on regimes that the bill seeks to strengthen. First, the requirement for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to publish a detailed public list of what are called “prisoners of conscience”, including the number of access requests and foreign responses, raises some important risks that we really need to consider. Publicizing sensitive information about detained individuals could jeopardize diplomatic efforts to secure their release. Many governments that arbitrarily detain dissidents retaliate on those people when information becomes public or when those governments are publicly shamed. I do understand the intent behind this provision. However, I hope that, through working with colleagues and all parties across the House, we can achieve a result that shines a spotlight on important cases while protecting the safety of the human rights defenders and Canada's ongoing work to secure their release through various channels. I look forward to continuing this work and these conversations with colleagues in the months ahead. The bill would also place new operational requirements on the RCMP and FINTRAC. From my perspective, it is important that we reflect on this and examine it. Before we impose new duties, it is important we make sure that these things are actually feasible, that they are executable and implementable, and that they do not compromise existing enforcement requirements or responsibilities. Several provisions would impose rigid procedural timelines or require actions that do not align with the machinery of how government works today or with ministerial authorities. These issues are fixable, but it is important that we reflect on them. They may require amendments to ensure that the bill is practical, enforceable and consistent with our existing laws and statutory requirements. Additionally, on the proposed changes to the Broadcasting Act intended to prevent foreign influence from sanctioned states, we have to be careful that the language is drafted carefully to avoid thresholds or unintended impacts on media freedom and have the bill achieve what the member is trying to achieve, the intent of which I, of course, support. None of the concerns I have raised detract from the core purpose of the bill. In fact, they reinforce the importance of getting this right, and that is what I want to do. The global context makes modernization of sanctions important, but getting it right through our work in committee and working with all parliamentarians to make the necessary amendments is critical. Let me be clear: I support the intent of the bill. I think we support the intent of the bill. We support strengthening sanctions, improving accountability and standing firmly with those who are targeted by oppression, whether they are in Ukraine or anywhere else in the world. However, we have to ensure that the bill achieves its goals without endangering prisoners, putting in place requirements on enforcement agencies that cannot be executed or creating legal frameworks that do not work in practice. At the end of the day, we want this to be effective, and we want it to work. That is what I would like to achieve. The next stage of committee study will allow MPs to examine each provision in detail, to hear from experts and to reflect on how we can improve the bill. I am looking forward to that and to working with the member opposite and all colleagues in the House to make our sanctions regime even stronger so we can continue to protect human rights and protect our security and the safety of Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the famine genocide in Ukraine known as the Holodomor, when Joseph Stalin closed Ukraine's borders and confiscated all food to destroy a Ukrainian population opposed to his rule. At the height of the Holodomor, 19 people per minute, 1,200 per hour and 28,000 per day were dying of famine. The world was silent, and millions died as a result. My grandmother Olena was a survivor of the Holodomor. She once told me that she hoped the victims of the Holodomor would not only be remembered, but be honoured. She said honouring them meant not just remembering them or commemorating them, but taking the steps to ensure that a crime like this never happens again. Right now, in Russian-occupied Ukraine, it is happening again. Russia is killing civilians, deporting children and much more. The only way to stop this is for the world to provide Ukraine with the support it needs so that it can liberate all of its people and decisively win the war. If we do this, we will truly do what my grandmother would ask us to if she were here today: remember the victims, commemorate the victims and honour the victims. Vichna yim pamyat. Slava Ukraini.

moved that Bill S-210, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, be read the first time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce Bill S-210. If passed, the bill would declare September as Ukrainian heritage month across Canada every year. I would like to thank Senator Kutcher for introducing this bill in the other place and the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore for cosponsoring it. Since 1891, Ukrainians have been coming to Canada. Most were very poor, but they carried with them something very important: a relentless work ethic and a resolve to preserve their Ukrainian heritage. Today, there are over 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian heritage. Ukrainian Canadians have made and continue to make an important contribution to our country that spans communities from coast to coast to coast. It has never been more important for us to pass this bill than it is today. As we speak, Russia is attempting not only to conquer Ukraine, but to destroy the very heritage that this bill aims to honour, which generations of Ukrainian Canadians worked so hard to preserve. Ukrainian heritage month would give us a special opportunity to honour Ukrainian heritage, honour the role that Ukrainian Canadians have played in Canada and honour the role that Canada has played in supporting Ukrainian Canadians. Slava Kanadi. Slava Ukraini. (Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-209, An Act to establish Albanian Heritage Month. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce a bill entitled the Albanian heritage month act. If passed, it would designate the month of November every year as Albanian heritage month across Canada. I would like to thank my colleague from Mississauga East—Cooksville for cosponsoring this bill with me. I hope all members of the House will support it. Canada is home to many Canadians of Albanian heritage and they have made historic contributions to our country. Those contributions touch our economic, cultural and social life. If passed, this bill would give us a special opportunity to celebrate those contributions and also Albanian heritage. Every November, it would give us another opportunity to say, “Gëzuar muajin e trashëgimisë shqiptare.” Every day, it would give Albanian Canadians another reason to say, “Jam krenar që jam shqiptar.” (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Mr. Speaker, June 13 marks the second annual National Long-Term Care Day in Canada. Whether it is in Etobicoke Centre or across Canada, long-term care plays a vital role in the health and the quality of care of Canadians. In fact, over 200,000 Canadians currently reside in long-term care across Canada. Today is important for a number of reasons: first of all, to remember the importance of long-term care; second, to thank the volunteers, the staff and the family members who give care to seniors in our long-term care homes. It is also a day when we can redouble our efforts to improve the quality of care in long-term care homes across Canada. Many seniors receive very good care, but there are still too many seniors in long-term care who do not receive the quality of care they deserve. That is why I am proud to have advocated, along with a number of caucus colleagues a number of years ago, for the federal government to establish national standards for long-term care. The federal government did that. Now we need the provinces to adopt those standards, if we are going to make a difference for seniors in long-term care. I hope that today we take this opportunity to advocate with provincial governments across Canada that they adopt the national standards so seniors get the quality of care they deserve.

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-203, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce a bill called an act respecting Ukrainian heritage month. If passed, it would declare September of every year Ukrainian heritage month across Canada. I would like to thank the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore for cosponsoring this bill with me, and I hope that members on all sides of the House support it. The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada came to Canada on September 7, 1891. Today, there are over 1.3 million Ukrainian Canadians, and they make important contributions every day from coast to coast to coast, in all the ridings represented here, that touch our political, economic, cultural and social life. Canada was the first country to recognize Ukraine's independence in 1991. We have recognized the Holodomor as a genocide, and we continue to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukrainian heritage month would give us an opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian heritage, the role that Canada has played in supporting Ukrainian Canadians and the role that Ukrainian Canadians play here in Canada. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

moved that Bill S-276, An Act respecting Ukrainian Heritage Month, be read the first time. I rise today to introduce in the House Bill S-276, an act respecting Ukrainian heritage month. This bill has passed the Senate, and if passed here in the House, the bill would declare September of every year Ukrainian heritage month. I would like to thank the member for Etobicoke—Lakeshore for co-sponsoring this bill and I hope members of all parties will support it. The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada came on September 7, 1891. Today, there are approximately 1.4 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent. They have made an important impact on our country that spans coast to coast to coast, whether it be our economic, social or political life. At the same time, Canada has welcomed and supported Ukrainian Canadians. Canada was the first country to recognize Ukraine's independence. Canada has recognized the Holodomor as a genocide and has been a global leader in supporting the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russia's brutal invasion. We have said that we will stand with the Ukrainian people until they win. Ukrainian heritage month would offer a special opportunity for us to celebrate Ukrainian heritage, the role Canada has played in supporting Ukrainian Canadians and the contributions Ukrainian Canadians have made and continue to make to Canada. Slava Kanadi. Slava Ukraini. (Motion agreed to and bill read the first time)

Madam Speaker, today marks 1,000 days since Russia began its further invasion of Ukraine. This is much longer than the three days Vladimir Putin thought it would take, but frankly it is 1,000 days too long. It should have never happened, and it would not have happened if the world had stood up to Russia when it invaded Georgia or when it invaded Ukraine in 2014. It would not have lasted this long if the world had provided Ukraine with the aid it needs to win the war. Our government has said that Canada will stand with the Ukrainian people until they win and that victory is the only option. Victory is the only option because Ukraine's victory is essential to Canada's security. If Russia wins, it will not stop at Ukraine, and we know that because Vladimir Putin has told us so. If Russia wins, Canadians will be next in defending ourselves against Russian aggression, whether that is in Europe, in the Canadian Arctic or somewhere else. Therefore on this anniversary, I urge MPs of all parties to ensure that Canada provides the help needed to ensure Ukraine's victory so we stop commemorating the days of Ukrainian courage and start commemorating the days since Ukraine's victory, since it regained its freedom and its security, and since we regained ours. Slava Ukraini.

Mr. Speaker, recently I spoke in the House about the growth of radical far-right movements. They have organized disinformation campaigns, impacted how some people and politicians treat others and led to some politicians not acting in the best interests of Canadians. As the Prime Minister recently said, “we have seen that anti-vax messages during the convoy and during the pandemic were amplified by Russian propaganda, especially in the media of the right”; that this media began spreading “pro-Putin propaganda”; and that Russia Today “is currently funding bloggers and other [You]tube personalities at the right,” such as Tucker Carlson, “in order to amplify messages that are destabilizing democracies.” What this tells us is that some of these far-right movements and opinion leaders are not only harming Canada but doing so at the bidding of Vladimir Putin. Some of these far-right movements are agents of foreign influence, so I wonder why the Leader of the Opposition will not get his security clearance and take this seriously. I urge us all to take the actions we need to, to stop the influence of these radical far-right movements, because our security, our economy and our freedom depend on it.

Mr. Speaker, recently, I spoke in the House about the growth of radical far-right movements. They have organized disinformation campaigns, have impacted how some people and politicians treat others and have led some politicians to act against the best interests of Canadians. Our government has said that Canada will stand with the Ukrainian people until they win. Ukraine must win because its victory is essential to Canada's security. There is a coordinated Russian campaign to spread disinformation, sow distress and encourage isolationism. Could the Minister of International Trade please share with us how Russian foreign interference is a threat to our support of Ukraine and to all Canadians?

Mr. Speaker, in Canada and around the world, we have seen the emergence of radical far-right movements. These movements have had a profound impact on the types of governments that have been elected and on the lives of millions of people around the world, including here in Canada. They have organized disinformation campaigns designed to divide people and undermine confidence in reliable sources of information. They have impacted how some people treat others. They have impacted how some politicians treat others, including here in Canada. Far-right movements have led to some politicians acting against the best interests of Canadians by opposing sound economic policies; by opposing sound social policies, such as dental care, child care or better long-term care; by undermining fundamental rights, such as those protected in our charter, including women's rights like a woman's right to choose; and by standing against measures to stand up to aggressors, such as Russia, that pose a threat to us all. I urge us all to work together to stop the growth and influence of these far-right movements. It is essential to Canada's security, to our economy and to our freedom.

Mr. Chair, I will be sharing my time with the member for Vaughan—Woodbridge. As we speak, the Ukrainian people are risking everything and sacrificing their lives to defend themselves against Russia's genocidal war, and despite being outmanned and outgunned, the Ukrainian people have shown great courage and resolve in defending their homeland and fighting for all of us. Notwithstanding that courage and resolve, the situation in Ukraine is more dire by the day, and the consequences for us, and globally, are more dire by the day. Russia is committing war crimes and genocide every day. Hundreds of millions of people in the global south are facing food shortages and famine because of Russia's attacks on Ukraine's agriculture sector. The war is one of the primary causes of food inflation and energy inflation here in Canada and around the world that Canadians and others face when they fill up at the pump or they buy food at the grocery store. The war poses an existential threat to Canada's security and to global security. Our government has said that Canada will stand with the Ukrainian people until they win and that victory is the only option. Victory is the only option for Ukraine, but it is also the only option for Canada. Victory is the only option for Canada because Ukraine's victory is vital to Canada's security. If Russia wins, it will not stop at Ukraine. If Russia wins, Canada, Europe and the U.S. will be the next to defend themselves against Russian aggression. Every Ukrainian solider on the front lines today is one fewer Canadian who will have to fight in the future. Every dollar we spend in Ukraine today is millions of dollars less that we will have to spend in the future. Our government understands this, and that is one of the reasons Canada has been a global leader in supporting Ukraine. Canada has provided approximately $13 billion in support of various kinds, whether that is financial aid, military aid, immigration assistance or humanitarian aid. We are leading in the seizure of Russian assets globally and in the initiative with Ukraine to bring the deported children back to Ukraine from Russia. Yesterday we passed the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement, and there are many more things. These are important contributions, important steps, but it will not be enough until Ukraine decisively wins the war. If we want to stop global food shortage and inflation, and if we want to ensure our own security, we need to ensure that Ukraine achieves a decisive victory. This means that Ukraine wins the war by recapturing every inch of its territory, but it also means that Ukraine must win the peace, which includes many things. To me it includes that Ukraine is secure as part of NATO, that there is justice for Russian war crimes, that we help Ukraine rebuild and that Russia pays for that rebuilding. As my colleagues will know, and I see some colleagues here who worked with me on the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, I have worked very hard to advocate for these measures, and I have also worked very hard to ensure that our support for Ukraine extends across all parties in the House of Commons. It really used to, but that has changed. Under the Conservative leader, the Conservative Party has abandoned Ukraine. I am not concerned about the members of the House as much; I am concerned about their leader. It is what he does not say and how he forces the members to vote when it matters. As another member mentioned a moment ago, it is not even the words that concern me as much; it is the actions. Their voting three—

Mr. Chair, I never mentioned anybody's presence or absence. What I talked about was the position of the leader of the Conservative Party. He required his MPs to vote three times against the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement and against military aid for Ukraine. They voted to cut Operation Unifier. They voted against funding for Ukrainian immigrants settling here in Canada. Yesterday I personally went to the Senate and watched Conservative senators unanimously vote against the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement. The leader of the Conservative Party will not say whether he will support the security agreement with Ukraine that Canada signed. What has happened to the Conservative Party of Brian Mulroney or John Diefenbaker? In summary, there is a far right movement in Canada, just like there is in the U.S., where it has taken over the Republican Party, that believes the pro-Putin propaganda and does not support Ukraine. There is a Putin wing in the Conservative Party, and the leader of the Conservative Party is seeking to earn its support. The Putin wing has taken over the Conservative Party. The second thing that has happened is that he is trying to consolidate the PPC vote, and the PPC has always been pro-Putin and anti-Ukraine. He is pandering to the PPC vote and has given in to the Putin wing of the Conservative Party. That is what has happened with the Conservative Party. We need to make sure that we stand with Ukraine until it wins, and for that to happen, the Conservative Party, and specifically the leader, needs to step up and start voting in favour of Ukraine. He needs to make sure his members step up and start voting for Ukraine. That is how we are going to make sure Ukraine wins. That is how we are going to make sure we all win. Slava Ukraini.

Madam Speaker, Canada and the United States have one of the closest and most important relationships of any two nations in the world, and there are millions of Canadians, including countless constituents of mine, who work at businesses that rely on trade with the United States. Let us be frank: The economy and the quality of life of every single Canadian and every single one of my constituents in Etobicoke Centre depend on a strong economic and trading relationship between Canada and the U.S. Could the Minister of International Trade share with Canadians how our team Canada engagement strategy will defend Canada's interest in and with the United States?

Mr. Speaker, February 24 will mark two years since the beginning of Russia's further brutal invasion of Ukraine. Our government has said that Canada “will stand with the Ukrainian people” until they win, and “victory is the only option”. Victory is the only option because Ukraine's victory is vital to Canada's security. If Russia wins, it will not stop at Ukraine. If Russia wins, Europe, the U.S. and Canada will be next in defending ourselves against Russian aggression. Therefore, every Ukrainian soldier fighting today is one less Canadian who will have to fight in the future. Every dollar we spend today is millions of dollars less that we will have to spend in the future. Our government understands this, and that is one of the reasons Canada has been a global leader in supporting Ukraine. Unfortunately, Conservatives continue to vote against support for Ukraine and against Canada's national security. On this two-year anniversary, I urge MPs throughout the House vote in favour of the support needed to ensure Ukraine's victory because victory is the only option to protect our security, our economy and our freedom. Slava Ukraini.

Mr. Speaker, this week, every MP in the House will have a chance to vote in solidarity with Ukraine by voting in favour of the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement. It is important to remember that the Ukrainian people are not just fighting for their own security; they are also fighting for our security, and we need to be fighting for them. Our government has been unequivocal in our support for Ukraine, but under their leader, the Conservatives have abandoned Ukraine. They voted against Operation Unifier and military aid, and they used their climate change denialism as an excuse to vote against this free trade agreement. Could the Minister of International Trade clarify the environmental provisions in this agreement and explain why it is so important that everyone vote in solidarity with Ukraine?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents of Etobicoke Centre to present a petition concerning Bill C-57, the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement. It was signed by over 60 of my constituents just last week. They are petitioning Parliament, including MPs on all sides, to support the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement and pass it swiftly. The petitioners note that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress have called on the Parliament of Canada to swiftly adopt the legislation. They note that the misinformation regarding Canada's carbon pricing scheme's having an effect on the agreement has been widely debunked. They ask all parliamentarians to affirm their unwavering support for Ukraine by swiftly passing Bill C-57, the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement.

Madam Speaker, it was interesting hearing the member opposite speak. He, like other members of the Conservative Party when they have been speaking to this bill, spoke about nostalgia. They invoke what Diefenbaker did and what Mulroney did in 1991 or whatever the case may be. What do the people on the front lines of Ukraine need right now? They need help today. Most of the people on the front lines were not born when Mulroney was prime minister. What they need is help today. It concerns me that these Conservative MPs consistently vote against the free trade agreement, against military support for Ukraine and against Operation Unifier to train Ukrainian soldiers. These are things President Zelenskyy has asked for. These are things the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has asked for. My question for the member opposite is this: Why will he not stand with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, with President Zelenskyy and with the Ukrainian people in their existential fight for their survival and our security?

Mr. Speaker, January 22 marked the start of Data Privacy Week, which is an important time to discuss how we can strengthen privacy and security for Canadians. Findings from a recent survey by Interac revealed that nearly eight in 10 Canadians believe their data is more exposed than ever, with six in 10 saying they lack the confidence to protect their personal information. The government is taking action here by moving forward with a framework for consumer-driven banking. This framework will eliminate the need for the dangerous practice of screen scraping, whereby consumers are forced to share their banking credentials. Not only will this give Canadians more control of their financial data; it will also keep them and their data safer.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister on our support for Ukraine. Ensuring Ukraine's victory is vital to Canada's security. Ukraine must win, otherwise Europe, the U.S. and Canada will be next in defending ourselves against Russia's aggression. Every Ukrainian fighting today is one less Canadian who will have to fight in the future. Every dollar we spend today means millions of dollars less that we will have to spend in the future. We understand this, but Conservatives continue to vote against support for Ukraine and against support for Canada's national security. Can the Prime Minister assure Canadians that this government will stand with the Ukrainian people until they win, until we all win?

Madam Speaker, our government is unwavering in our support for Ukraine, but there are troubling signs internationally and in this House. This week President Zelenskyy urged American politicians not to succumb to far-right, MAGA-inspired plans to abandon Ukraine. Unfortunately, we are fighting the same fight here in Canada with Conservatives voting against the free trade agreement, voting against Operation Unifier and voting against military aid for Ukraine. This week Vladimir Putin said that western support for Ukraine is waning and that he will win the war. The situation is dire for all of us. Can the parliamentary secretary share with Canadians what we are doing to support the Ukrainian people in their fight for their own survival, for global security and for Canada's security?