Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Canada wants an end to the fighting in the Middle East. We are working with our allies to keep shipping lanes open and to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons or supporting terrorism. We also want the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah to stop. Lasting peace will only come through talks, not military action.”
“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands for her commitment to, tenacity with and passion for the issues that we both care about deeply. I also want to thank her for elaborating on the question because, on March 9, she never got to the question. She gave the Minister of Foreign Affairs lots of air time, but now I know what the question is. Without chiding too much, I am really glad to get to the question. Let me be clear that Canada has been consistent and clear in its position regarding Iran. We continue to call for an end to the hostilities. We call for all parties to uphold the April ceasefire agreement, exercise restraint and respect international humanitarian law. We urge all parties to avoid actions that can further destabilize the region. Canada continues to work with international partners to support diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In parallel, Canada is working through the G7 to support coordinated engagement with gulf partners, which would restore that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Canada stands ready to support a Strait of Hormuz defence mission in only three potential areas, maritime logistics, demining support and satellite imagery, which would support efforts by the U.K. and France. We must maintain pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran to address its destabilizing behaviour, including nuclear and ballistic missile programs, support for terrorism and human rights violations, through sanctions and UN engagement. We must be unequivocal on this. Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon, and its support for terrorism through proxies and on its own must end. The U.S. and Iran must reach an agreement that ensures robust International Atomic Energy Agency verification of Iran’s nuclear program that limits Iran’s ballistic missile program and addresses Iran’s support for those regional proxies. I also want to comment for a moment on the concurrent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. We are deeply concerned by its escalation and the risk of further regional instability. Real people are losing their homes and their livelihoods and are being put at risk. That is why we firmly support the Lebanese government’s effort to restore, exercise full state authority, including through the disarmament of Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organization in Canada, and to advance credible and durable peace. Our government will continue working with international partners to support an end to the conflict, the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Lebanon. We are clear-eyed about the challenges facing the region. It is a region that is in disruption. A lasting solution will never be achieved through military action by anyone. It will only be secured through diplomacy, dialogue, sustained negotiations, conversation and goodwill. We have to reach a new position of understanding. We remain guided by international law every day, and we stand ready to play our part. We will continue to prioritize and respond to the safety of Canadians in the region as well. We will work to support a return to stability in the whole of the Middle East. The hearts and minds of Canadians are with the people of Gaza, the people of the Palestine as a whole and the people of Lebanon, including the south and Beirut, as we are with the people of the gulf who are bombarded daily.”
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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands for her commitment to, tenacity with and passion for the issues that we both care about deeply. I also want to thank her for elaborating on the question because, on March 9, she never got to the question. She gave the Minister of Foreign Affairs lots of air time, but now I know what the question is. Without chiding too much, I am really glad to get to the question. Let me be clear that Canada has been consistent and clear in its position regarding Iran. We continue to call for an end to the hostilities. We call for all parties to uphold the April ceasefire agreement, exercise restraint and respect international humanitarian law. We urge all parties to avoid actions that can further destabilize the region. Canada continues to work with international partners to support diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. In parallel, Canada is working through the G7 to support coordinated engagement with gulf partners, which would restore that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Canada stands ready to support a Strait of Hormuz defence mission in only three potential areas, maritime logistics, demining support and satellite imagery, which would support efforts by the U.K. and France. We must maintain pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran to address its destabilizing behaviour, including nuclear and ballistic missile programs, support for terrorism and human rights violations, through sanctions and UN engagement. We must be unequivocal on this. Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon, and its support for terrorism through proxies and on its own must end. The U.S. and Iran must reach an agreement that ensures robust International Atomic Energy Agency verification of Iran’s nuclear program that limits Iran’s ballistic missile program and addresses Iran’s support for those regional proxies. I also want to comment for a moment on the concurrent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. We are deeply concerned by its escalation and the risk of further regional instability. Real people are losing their homes and their livelihoods and are being put at risk. That is why we firmly support the Lebanese government’s effort to restore, exercise full state authority, including through the disarmament of Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organization in Canada, and to advance credible and durable peace. Our government will continue working with international partners to support an end to the conflict, the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Lebanon. We are clear-eyed about the challenges facing the region. It is a region that is in disruption. A lasting solution will never be achieved through military action by anyone. It will only be secured through diplomacy, dialogue, sustained negotiations, conversation and goodwill. We have to reach a new position of understanding. We remain guided by international law every day, and we stand ready to play our part. We will continue to prioritize and respond to the safety of Canadians in the region as well. We will work to support a return to stability in the whole of the Middle East. The hearts and minds of Canadians are with the people of Gaza, the people of the Palestine as a whole and the people of Lebanon, including the south and Beirut, as we are with the people of the gulf who are bombarded daily.