10/10/2023 | 20:12:36 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Colleagues, In recent years, we have witnessed a disturbing increase of extremist actions. Rapporteur Mr Samad SEYIDOV's report reminds us of some of the more tragic examples, such as the storming of the U.S. Capitol, the Brazilian Congress and of course, the Hamas attack on Israel. My use of these examples – like my decision to drop the inflammatory “far-right” label at the outset of my remarks today – was intentional. Extremist violence... 27/04/2023 | 20:04:07 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Colleagues, From its earliest days of trading fur and fish to now, Canada has been a nation of trade. Although many of our citizens were not convinced of free trade well into the 20th century, we eventually reached consensus that. Canada has relied on international trade to build its economy and our prosperity depends on it. And now exports of goods and services account for one third of our Gross Domestic Product. This Assembly rightfully... 27/04/2023 | 20:03:06 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Colleagues, Fourteen million people – one third of Ukraine’s population – have been forcibly displaced by the war and remain uprooted from their homes. This includes eight million refugees in Europe and across the world and nearly 6 million internally displaced, according to the UNHCR. As the war goes on, Ukrainians flee to safer areas within the country or across borders. Missile and rocket attacks have severely damaged critical... 14/10/2022 | 11:55:25 Honourable colleagues, I would like to thank the rapporteur and the Committees for this important report. Throughout the COVID 19 pandemic the world has seen widespread discrimination and my home country, Canada, has not been immune. Today, we are here to discuss vaccine discrimination, develop a framework to prevent vaccine discrimination and find a balance between protecting human rights and freedoms and protecting the health and safety of our communities. Living free from all forms of... 11/10/2022 | 20:33:14 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Honourable colleagues, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to this crucial issue today. I want to thank the Rapporteur for the excellent report. Sadly, we live in a world where hate and discrimination are growing, and islamophobia is no exception. We must continue to fight against the beliefs and ideologies that perpetuate discrimination and hate, emphasizing both their moral repugnancy and the serious harm they cause. I believe... 15/03/2022 | 11:43:20 Thank you, Mr President. Dear colleagues, Since the start of the invasion, almost three million people have fled Ukraine. Half of the refugees are children. There has not been a refugee crisis of this scale and speed since the Second World War. Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied his forces are attacking civilians. However, journalists on the ground and civilian reports have captured how Russia's military has targeted hospitals, schools and residential neighbourhoods. Some see this as... 02/10/2019 | 18:36:56 Unlike 11 September 2001, the significance of the date 23 June 1985 is likely not immediately obvious to many of you. In Canada, however, it remains the date of the worst terrorist attack in our history. On that date, a bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182, originating in Toronto and stopping in Montreal to pick up passengers bound for Heathrow and on to New Delhi, killing all — and it exploded over the Atlantic Ocean — killing all 329 passengers and crew members on that flight, 280 of whom... 01/10/2019 | 11:31:22 Good morning colleagues. Let me begin by thanking rapporteur Mr Sylvain WASERMAN and his colleagues for their outstanding work to advance whistleblower protection. This issue has never been as relevant as it is today, as our societies grow more complex and our economies more reliant on information than ever before. Indeed, Canada’s experience grappling with this important topic has positioned it as an emerging leader. At the same time, Canada has much to learn from the Member and observer... 25/06/2019 | 17:59:52 Fellow parliamentarians, good afternoon, I am honoured to be here with you all today to discuss a topic of great importance to all our parliaments: violence against women. I wish to thank the rapporteurs Ms Zita GURMAI and Ms Elvira KOVÁCS for their important and well written reports. The adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1979, and Canada’s ratification of this Convention in 1981, signified a global commitment to...