QUESTION PERIOD — Foreign Affairs
Export of Defence Technology to Turkey
March 15, 2021
Honourable senators, my question is for the government leader. Senator Gold, thanks to documents tabled at committee in the other place on Friday, we now know that last year’s exemption to Canada’s ban on military exports to Turkey was granted in order to assist Turkey in fighting in Syria. But the ban on military exports was put in place specifically in response to Turkey’s incursion into northern Syria just that previous year.
My question is simple: How does that make any sense, government leader? What was the point of the ban in the first place? And does the minister always do what Global Affairs Canada tells him to do, or was he working on orders from the Prime Minister’s office? Because it seems crystal clear that, right now, it looks like Canada is becoming nothing more than a puppet to President Erdoğan and the Turkish regime.
Honourable senators, this government is not the puppet of any foreign leader. It makes decisions based on Canada’s best interests. In dealing with a complicated situation, such as we have with regard to Turkey, the government is making decisions in the best interests of Canadians.
If I understand your answer correctly, you’re basically telling me that Canada’s decision to contravene its own military ban on Turkey was done in the best interests, as viewed by Prime Minister Trudeau and his cabinet. That’s quite a perspective, Senator Gold.
Senator Gold, my supplemental question is even simpler. Hopefully I get a clearer answer. What is your government’s position on NATO members who go rogue and blatantly break international law? We’ve seen numerous examples of this from our NATO partner Turkey, and again, Mr. Erdoğan, whether it be the occupation of northern Cyprus or his blatant disregard for the sovereign water territories of their fellow NATO member Greece. Over the last few months, we’ve seen Turkey continue to be aggressive in regards to the Aegean. Of course, we also saw a few months ago how they converted Hagia Sophia again, an historical site recognized by UNESCO. They did it unilaterally, again without any protest from the Canadian government.
At what point does your government stand up to Mr. Erdoğan? Or are we still waiting for a phone call from Erdoğan to take further instructions on what he expects from the Canadian government?
Again, senator, there were too many assumptions and premises in your question which are simply incorrect for me to waste the chamber’s time in detailing. It is again not the case that the government takes instructions from a foreign leader in this regard. Canada has sophisticated and ongoing relationships with all the countries with whom we have dealings, including its NATO allies. We’ll continue to operate in the best interests of Canadians.
