You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/-8FgghB4LYg
M. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NPD): Monsieur le Président, selon Amnistie internationale, c'est en Chine qu'ont été exécutés le plus grand nombre de prisonniers en 2015. Selon les Nations unies, ce pays a régulièrement recours à la torture. Malgré cela, le gouvernement entend négocier un traité d'extradition avec le gouvernement chinois.
Comment le gouvernement entend-il défendre les droits de la personne lorsqu'il négocie un traité avec la Chine, un pays qui viole les droits de la personne?
Ms. Pam Goldsmith-Jones (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, here is the reality as opposed to conjecture: we have announced a high-level national security and rule of law dialogue as part of comprehensive discussions on expanding our relationship with China. The UN and the U.K. are conducting the exact same king of dialogue.
Canadians officials have met with their Chinese counterparts, and this allows us to discuss counterterrorism, law enforcement co-operation, consular matters of huge importance to Canadians and rule of law.
Within the rule of law, discussions, conversations on the issue of extradition have begun. It is stressed that Canada has very high standards. Of course the promotion and protection of human rights--
The Deputy Speaker: The hon. member for New Westminster—Burnaby.
Mr. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby, NDP): Sadly, Mr. Speaker, here is the reality and here are the facts: Yesterday, the Chinese premier unequivocally defended his country's use of the death penalty. He said he could not guaranteed the police would not mistreat suspects, and he said anyone questioning the merits of an extradition treaty is disparaging China. He did all this while standing beside a silent Prime Minister of Canada.
How can the government claim to be advancing human rights internationally when it is seriously considering a treaty that would go against human rights?
Ms. Pam Goldsmith-Jones (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about the importance of Canada's engagement with the world.
It was a mistake of the former Conservative government to withdraw from countries, to isolate Canada just because it disliked the regime.
Under the leadership of our Prime Minister and our government, we are present. We are supporting the United Nations and climate change, Syrian refugees, supporting peace operations and significantly funding humanitarian initiatives.
By being present, we are making progress on our interests and the universal values in which we believe, like human rights.
NDP Critic for Canadian Heritage Peter Julian issued the following statement:
"It has come to our attention that a consultant for a federally funded anti-racism project has a disturbing track record of spewing hate speech online against Jewish and francophone communities. This is completely unacceptable. We call on the Minister of Heritage to take drastic action and terminate his contract.
NDP Heritage Critic Peter Julian issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement by Hockey Canada is another attempt to delay the important and urgent work to deal with the toxic culture in this organization. While a former Supreme Court Justice is a credible appointment to conduct the review into Hockey Canada, this won’t be the first time the organization undergoes this process.
NDP critic for Canadian Heritage, Peter Julian, made the following statement:
“Canadians are horrified by the incidents of sexual assault and by what they’re hearing from Hockey Canada. They are left with many questions about how this toxic culture is allowed to persist in our sports organizations and what the government is actually doing to ensure this doesn’t happen again.