Attack in Edmonton
The Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Scheer (Regina—Qu’Appelle), asked what is currently being done in wake of the attack in Edmonton. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale (Regina—Wasacana), stated that the collaborative investigation between the RCMP and Edmonton Police is ongoing. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau) urged Canadians not to let this horrific incident divide us. Meanwhile, MP Kerry Diote (Edmonton Griesbach) praised the City of Edmonton and their first responders for their resilience and effort. MP Diote went on to assert that Canada’s strength is that everyone has the right to live and worship as they please and we cannot lose sight of that in light of the cowardly act of terror.

Emergency debate on the Rohingya in Myanmar
MP Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan) requested an emergency debate to discuss the ethnic cleansing of Muslim Rohingya in Burma. The request was granted by the Speaker. Many members of Parliament including Andrew Scheer (Regina—Qu'Appelle), Stephanie Kusie (Calgary Midnapore), and Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni) went on to harshly criticize the government’s response to this humanitarian crisis, stating that Canada did not act earlier, and that the Prime Minister did not raise this issue during his speech to the United Nations. They inquired as to Canada’s plan for increasing humanitarian funding, and whether Canada has taken steps to begin the process of accepting Rohingya refugees.

Rohingya in Myanmar
MP Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre) raised the issue of the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar, asking the government for an update on what actions they are taking in response. MP Omar Alghabra (Mississauga Centre) stated that the government is actively engaged on the matter. He mentioned that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have raised the issue at the highest levels, including with Aung San Suu Kyi and Kofi Annan, and they will continue to raise it at the UN General Assembly. MP Alghabra added that the government will continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Rohingya. Later in the week, MP Matt Jeneroux (Edmonton Riverbend) made a statement condemning the killing of Rohingya, called out the inaction of the Myanmar government, and stated that it is the international community’s responsibility to maintain pressure until the Myanmar government steps in.

UN Peacekeeping Missions
MP James Bezan (Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman) criticized the Liberal government on Canada’s lack of participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping missions. He questioned why the Liberal government has turned down five UN leadership roles and has not committed to a single UN mission, despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promised commitment of 600 troops. In response, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, MP Matt DeCourcey (Fredericton), stated that the government is taking its time to decide what mission Canada will lead.