Key Takeaways:
- All parties in the House of Commons agree that Canada must show solidarity with Ukraine, but they disagree on how to do so in the most effective way.
- Meanwhile, Bloc Quebeois MP Stephane Bergeron stated that diplomacy would be impossible without direct talks with Russia.
All parties in the House of Commons conclude that Canada must show solidarity with Ukraine, but they disapprove of the best way to do so.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his govt’s dedication to expand and extend a military training task in Ukraine, provide such a $120-million loan as well as other non-lethal equipment, and also development and humanitarian aid, in an emergency debate Monday night on Russia’s military buildup across its border with Ukraine.
“Canada has a rich history of standing up to bullies,” he told the Commons, “but standing up to bullies doesn’t indicate we want conflict.”
If Russia invades Ukraine, Trudeau reaffirmed his government’s commitment to work with European allies and the NATO military alliance to impose coordinated sanctions.
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“We’ll never be intimidated because we’re always stronger together,” he said.
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, on the other hand, dismissed the measures as “empty words” and “half measures,” criticizing the government for failing to provide Ukraine with the one thing it most desires: lethal defensive weapons.
“Russia outnumbers Ukraine in military personnel by four to one, fighter planes by 22 to one, attack helicopters by 15 to one, and battle tanks by five to one,” he said.
“They’ve asked for our assistance in their hour of need, and other allies have stepped up… “Can you tell me where Canada is?”
Russia has stationed about 100,000 troops along Ukraine’s border, along with tanks as well as other heavy artillery, elevating fears of an impending invasion across Europe and the NATO military alliance, which Russia has denied.
O’Toole tried to accuse the Liberal minority government of doing nothing more than embarrassingly posting photos of cabinet ministers holding signs with the hashtag “#standwithUkraine” on Twitter.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, on the other hand, stated Canada must work with its allies to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict, which he claims is killing millions of civilians in Ukraine.
“Escalating hostilities could result in even more mass displacement, a refugee crisis, and an incalculable number of casualties,” he warned, adding that supplying lethal weapons would only serve to exacerbate tensions.
“Peace can only be achieved through diplomacy,” he said of New Democrats.
Meanwhile, Bloc Quebeois MP Stephane Bergeron asserted that diplomacy could not exist without direct talks with Russia.
He accused NATO countries of “alarmism” and brinkmanship over an impending invasion, although both Russia as well as Ukraine agree that this is not in the cards. He also believes that Canada’s decision to remove non-essential diplomatic personnel from Ukraine will exacerbate tensions.
Source: Global News
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