✔︎ Bill C-57, Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, 2023
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill C-57, An Act to implement the 2023 Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
On September 22nd, 2023, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy signed the modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA), which supports long-term security, stability, and economic development in Ukraine, while also ensuring high-quality market access terms for Canadian businesses participating in Ukraine’s economic recovery. This will create good, middle-class jobs in both of our countries.
Passed.
Bill Status
At third reading in the Senate
✔︎ Bill S-8 (Denying Entry to Sanctioned Individuals and Entities)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Bill S-8, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
Vote
Yea.
Rationale
Bill S-8 aligns Canada’s sanctions and inadmissibility frameworks to ensure that Russian individuals are entities who have been recently sanctioned due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Iranian individuals and entities who have been sanctioned for their support of terrorism and systemic and gross human rights violations are inadmissible to Canada. These changes will allow the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to deny entry to, and remove, sanctioned individuals, and will allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officials to deny visas.
Passed.
Bill Status
Royal Assent received
MP Aldag Statement on Petition in Support for Ukraine
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City statement on support for Ukraine
March 24, 2022 – British Columbia
Today, MP Aldag issued a statement on his support for petition e-3939 that calls on Canada to support actions in Ukraine up to and including support to enforce a no-fly zone:
“Russia illegally invaded Ukraine and is indiscriminately bombing non-military targets, resulting in loss of life of innocent civilians including women and children. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the mass exodus of millions of Ukrainians to neighbouring countries. This is a violation of the most fundamental democratic principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and the right to life and safety.
“Our sanctions are punishing Russia, but more actions are needed to this invasion. We must fully support President Zelensky and Ukraine. I have heard this over and over from constituents. The President of Ukraine has repeatedly asked NATO to create and enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine to prevent further atrocities and enable Ukrainian forces to counter Russia’s assault.
“By sponsoring this petition, I am giving a voice to Canadians who are calling for more Canadian support to Ukraine including actions up to and including a no-fly zone. This petition is not calling for Canada to impose a no-fly zone, but for actions that Canada could support without engaging directly without further exacerbating the Russian war on Ukraine.”
Contacts:
Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca
✘ Conservative Opposition Motion (Invasion of Ukraine and natural gas pipelines)
Voted yea. Bill adopted.
Bill
Conservative Opposition Motion (No. 38)
Vote
Nay.
Rationale
We support points a) and b) of the motion. Moments after Russia launched its unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine, the Prime Minister released a statement condemning President Putin. We have since followed up with severe sanctions on Russia and significant lethal and non-lethal aid to Ukraine.
On March 1, 2022, the Liberal Member of Parliament Yvan Baker, introduced a motion in the House of Commons that condemned the “unjustified and unprovoked attack, which was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the rights of Ukraine to sovereignty, territorial integrity, freedom and democracy” and “stands unwavering and united in our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
On point c), in the long run, it is our switch to renewables and hydrogen that will make us truly independent. We have to accelerate the green transition. Because every kilowatt-hour of electricity Europe generates from solar, wind, hydropower or biomass reduces our dependency on Russian gas and other energy sources.
Result
Defeated.
MP Aldag Statement on Being Banned from Russia
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City statement on being banned from entering Russia
March 16, 2022 – British Columbia
“Yesterday, Russia announced that 313 Canadians are banned from entering Russia. Among these names are many Members of Parliament, including myself.
“I am not surprised by this announcement. While I am saddened to be banned from a country with a rich history and culture, I am more than proud to be among those banned by Putin — a small sacrifice for standing up for Ukraine.
“I will not allow this to distract me nor our government’s full support for Ukraine and the people of Ukraine, who are suffering greatly. We must not forget that Russia blatantly violated international law, Ukraine’s sovereignty, and is committing war crimes.
“Frankly, the only response from Russia I am interested in is an immediate end to this illegal, unnecessary, and horrific war in Ukraine. Until then, we will continue our coordinated sanctions against Putin and his cronies in Russia and Belarus.
“These are already showing to slow down Russia’s ability to reinforce their military activity. Combined with our military and economic support for Ukraine and Ukrainians’ heroic stand against Russia, we are seeing the Russian military stalling out. This is the purpose of our sanctions and I am hopeful we will see an end to this conflict sooner rather than later.”
Contacts:
Megan Waddington
Constituency Assistant
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
604-575-6595
john.aldag@parl.gc.ca