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QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety

Foreign Interference

November 19, 2024


Hon. Andrew Cardozo [ + ]

My question is for the government leader. I had a different question that I was going to ask, but I was really a bit perturbed by the decision that we not vote on the motion you put forward.

I want to ask you about the assassination attempt on the Honourable Irwin Cotler. I regard him as a major force for human rights, and he has been fighting racism and anti-Semitism across this country over many years. He is a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. The threat of an assassination attempt on him by a foreign government should shake us all to our core.

Can you tell us more about what the government is doing to protect Mr. Cotler at this time?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate)

Thank you for your question and for underlining the enormous contribution that Irwin Cotler has made before, during and after his tenure in Parliament and to this very day.

However, colleague, you’ll understand that given the circumstances surrounding his well-being, it would be imprudent to comment on what measures are being taken with regard to any of the issues that surround his safety and well-being.

Senator Cardozo [ + ]

As a supplementary, I want to ask you to assure us that the government is taking increased measures, perhaps to monitor the activities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, and any other illegal or terrorist groups that aim to threaten Canadians and Canadian officials.

I can assure you, this chamber and any Canadians who are watching that the threats to which you refer are known and understood by this government and all steps are being taken to protect all Canadians from such nefarious actions.

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