The Liberal authorities accused Conservatives on Wednesday of abandoning Ukraine by voting overwhelmingly towards an up to date free commerce deal that promotes carbon pricing.
Many of the Conservative caucus voted nay on the deal within the Home of Commons at second studying Tuesday, triggering a refrain of heckling from the federal government benches.
The difficulty surfaced once more throughout query interval on Wednesday, with the Conservatives and Liberals exchanging blows and accusing one another of betraying Ukraine.
International Affairs Minister Melanie Joly mentioned Poilievre was simply attempting to attain “small political factors” on the expense of supporting Ukraine in its battle with Russia.
“We’re seeing how a lot Ukrainians are on the battlefields defending their freedom and combating for ours, and now you see Poilievre enjoying shenanigans,” Joly mentioned after a Liberal caucus assembly.
“That is absurd.”
Featured VideoConservative Chief Pierre Poilievre says his social gathering just isn’t supporting the modernization of the Canada-Ukraine Free Commerce Settlement as a result of it includes selling carbon pricing.
Poilievre defended his social gathering’s resolution, saying that whereas the Conservatives help free commerce with Ukraine, they cannot again any deal that includes a worth on carbon.
“I actually suppose it speaks to how pathologically obsessed Trudeau is with the carbon tax that he, whereas the knife is on the throat of Ukrainians, he would use that to impose his carbon tax ideology on these poor folks,” Poilievre mentioned Wednesday.
“The very last thing they want is a carbon tax once they’re attempting to rebuild from struggle, from this unlawful invasion by Russia.”
Laws passes regardless of opposition
The up to date Canada-Ukraine free commerce deal commits each international locations to selling carbon pricing and measures to mitigate carbon leakage dangers.
The deal doesn’t impose a carbon tax.
Ukraine already has carbon pricing in place, which it wants with a purpose to grow to be a member of the European Union and keep away from tariffs.
Poilievre mentioned a Conservative authorities led by him would proceed free commerce with Ukraine, which was negotiated underneath former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper’s authorities. Poilievre mentioned he would take away any reference to carbon pricing from the settlement.
“The argument that Poilievre is utilizing in regards to the carbon tax and the settlement is a purple herring,” mentioned Liberal MP Yvan Baker on Wednesday.
Baker, chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, mentioned Canada’s current free commerce settlement with Ukraine solely covers items. The up to date model consists of providers and funding, issues Baker mentioned are important for Ukraine to rebuild.
Baker argued the Conservatives’ vote is a component of a bigger sample of behaviour contributing to waning public help for Ukraine.
Featured VideoLiberal MP Yvan Baker, who chairs the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, mentioned the Conservative’s resolution to vote towards the up to date Canada-Ukraine Free Commerce Settlement exhibits the social gathering would not help Ukraine.
“[Poilievre] argues that the struggle would not have an effect on inflation, after we know the struggle is the first motive for meals and vitality worth inflation world wide, together with right here at dwelling,” Baker mentioned.
“It is very clear yesterday’s vote is simply one other instance that the Pierre Poilievre Conservatives do not help Ukraine.”
The revised Canada-Ukraine commerce treaty was signed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy throughout Zelenskyy’s September go to to Ottawa.
Invoice C-57, an Act to Implement the 2023 Free Commerce Settlement between Canada and Ukraine, is now headed to a committee for research after passing the Commons by a vote of 205 to 109 with help from the NDP, Greens, Bloc Québécois and the governing Liberals.
Canada is predicted to spend $816 million within the present funds yr in navy help to Ukraine, with main declines forecast within the following years, based on the Fall Financial Assertion.
Baker defended the spending and mentioned Canada must proceed to help Ukraine.
“We both pay a small worth now by serving to the Ukrainians win this struggle decisively, or we pay a a lot greater worth later and far increased inflation, a lot larger safety dangers within the years to return,” Baker mentioned.
