My question is for the government leader in the Senate. Senator Gold, in October of last year, Canada banned exports of defence technology to the Republic of Turkey following their invasion in northern Syria, and renewed that ban again in April of this year. My question is this: How does Canadian drone technology find its way to be exported to Turkey? Who made the decision to grant the exemptions on export weaponry that is now being used by Azerbaijan against innocent civilians in Artsakh? Was it at the direction of the Prime Minister? Was it brought up by President Erdogan in that discussion? And did Prime Minister Trudeau issue that exemption?

I appreciate that, government leader. Foreign Affairs Minister Champagne has issued another ban on military exports to Turkey, given what’s happened in Artsakh. I guess Canada is finally recognizing the atrocities that are going on and how Turkey is abusing and misusing Canadian technology, but it may be a little bit too late for the people of Artsakh.

However, Prime Minister Trudeau recently had another conversation, government leader, with President Erdogan about exports. What assurances can the government give us and what assurances can you, government leader, give us that this time around, Minister Champagne’s ban will actually be respected and that no exemptions will be given to Turkey on this particular issue?