By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 6:44pmET
MPs sit late this evening for a take-note debate on Canada's response to the "egregious" Russian invasion of Ukraine, beginning with remarks by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
A take-note debate sees the House switch to a Committee of the Whole. MPs can speak as many times as they wish – 10 minutes at a time with up to 10 minutes of questions.
WATCH: PM pledges anti-tank weapons and rockets to Ukraine, announces Canadian ban on Russian crude oil imports
Canada will send 100 Carl-Gustaf anti-tank weapons systems and 2,000 rockets in the next shipment of military aid to Ukraine, and the Canadian armed forces will provide airlift support for supplies and aid, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today.
Trudeau also announced a formal ban on Russian crude-oil imports and expressed hope the CRTC would review Russia Today's presence on Canadian airwaves (several providers have already dropped the channel).
Canada will send anti-tank weapons systems & upgraded ammunition to Ukraine, announces PM Justin Trudeau at a news conference in Ottawa. The Canadian Armed Forces will also be "providing airlift support" for the transportation of supplies & aid, the prime minister says.#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/tt8c1Yffts
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) February 28, 2022
“We also stand ready—of course—with our NATO allies, if there were to be a breach and an occasion to invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty,” Defence Minister Anita Anand told reporters in Ottawa as she discussed the current posture of the Canadian Armed Forces.#cdnpoli https://t.co/DamfG5yNCT
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) February 28, 2022
Watch the full news conference:
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has already held a news conference in Geneva, where she is taking part in a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The council will be holding an emergency debate on March 3 regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine has called for a UN inquiry into possible war crimes committed by Russia.
Here's what Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, told the General Assembly:
In the House
Debate began today on the government motion to create the parliamentary review committee for the Emergencies Act.
The government has revoked the federal emergency declaration. But the Emergencies Act also requires a special parliamentary committee of MPs and senators to take an oath of secrecy, provide oversight, and eventually produce a report to Parliament.
Conservatives have objected to the committee composition being proposed by the government, which calls for three chairs: one from the Senate, one Bloc Québécois MP, and one NDP MP.
Also:
- More second-reading debate on Bill C-11
- A motion from Liberal MP Randeep Sarai on temporary foreign workers
In Committee
Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, joins Foreign Affairs officials and Maj. Gen. Paul Prévost (Strategic Joint Staff) brief the foreign affairs committee on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 11am ET / 8am PT
Infrastructure Minister Dominic LeBlanc discusses his mandate at the transport committee. 11am ET / 8am PT
Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez goes before the heritage committee to discuss COVID-19 and the effect on Canada's arts and culture sectors. 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT
Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and Peter Van Dusen
Canada takes further measures in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; could the situation escalate to the point where it becomes a NATO conflict? And Donald Trump aims criticism at Canada.
Here's your morning update with Mark Sutcliffe:
