Foreign Affairs - Arms sales to Saudi Arabia
MP Helene Laverdiere (Laurier-Sainte-Marie, QC), brought attention to the issue of the multi-billion dollar Canadian arms deal with Saudi Arabia, which includes the export of many armored assault vehicles. She stated that the deal makes Canada complicit in the human rights violations that Saudi Arabia is engaged in, both against its own civilians and in Yemen and questioned how the Canadian government can deem their foreign policy to be both feminist and progressive if they continue selling arms to Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affirmed that Canada condemns any and all human rights violations and the issuance of the export permits for the arms sales to Saudi Arabia comply with Canadian policies particularly with respect to human rights.

February 12 – February 16, 2018

Protest in Iran
MP O’Toole (Durham) raised the issue of the Prime Minister’s silence regarding the death of a Canadian professor, Seyed-Emami, in an Iranian prison on the weekend and regarding the protest in Iran which Amnesty International confirmed led thousands to be imprisoned. Prime Minister Trudeau stated that the government has clearly stated their desire for an independent investigation into the death of Seyed-Emami. MP Genuis (Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan) called for the Prime Minister to fully support the cause of the protesters. Prime Minister Trudeau stated that the government is deeply troubled by the deaths and detentions of protesters during protests in Iran and said Canada rallied more countries than ever before at the United Nations in November on a resolution calling on Iran to comply with its international human rights obligations.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
MP Andrew Scheer (Regina – Qu’Appelle), spoke about how Italian and Greek immigrants have become an integral part of Canada. MP Scheer continued by classifying these refugees as legitimate. Furthermore, MP Scheer asked why, returning Daesh fighters, are being granted refugee status. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, replied by assuring MP Scheer that Canada can tell the difference between legitimate asylum seekers and returning Daesh fighters. In addition, Minister Hussen stated that Canada is a compassionate country that is providing protection to Yazidi women and girls in Canada. Minister Hussen brought up the fact that the current government has almost quadrupled the number of privately sponsored refugees entering Canada and has restored refugee health care which was cut by the previous government.

Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre
The House commemorated the one year anniversary of the January 29, 2017 shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec. Many Members of Parliament, including the leaders of all parties, condemned the shooting, commemorated the six Muslim men who were killed in the attack, and expressed solidarity with residents of Quebec and Canadian Muslims. All members of the House rose to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the attack.