The Liberal government on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly against the latest free trade deal to promote a carbon price, accusing the Conservatives of abandoning Ukraine.
A majority of Conservative MPs voted against the deal during its second reading on Tuesday, prompting a chorus of jeers from the government benches.
The issue resurfaced during Wednesday’s question-and-answer session, with Conservatives and Liberals trading punches and accusing each other of betraying Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said Poièvre was only trying to score “small political points” at the expense of supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
“We’re seeing firsthand how well Ukrainians are defending their freedoms and fighting for their freedoms on the battlefield, and now Poilievre is committing fraud,” Jolie said after the Freedom Caucus meeting. You’ll understand,” he said.
“This is unreasonable.”
featured videosConservative Leader Pierre Poièvre said his party does not support modernizing the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement because it involves promoting a carbon price.
Poièvre defended his party’s decision, saying the Conservative Party supports free trade with Ukraine but cannot support any deal with a carbon price.
“I think it speaks to Prime Minister Trudeau’s pathological obsession with the carbon tax, to hold a knife to the throats of Ukrainians and use it to impose his carbon tax ideology on the poor,” Poièvre said Wednesday. told.
“As they try to recover from war and Russia’s illegal invasion, the last thing they need is a carbon tax.”
bill passed despite opposition
The updated Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement commits both countries to: Promote carbon pricing and measures to reduce carbon leakage risks.
The agreement does not impose a carbon tax.
Ukraine already has a carbon pricing system in place, which it needs to become a member of the European Union and avoid tariffs.
Poièvre said his Conservative government would continue free trade with Ukraine negotiated under former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper. Poièvre said any reference to a carbon price would be removed from the agreement.
Liberal MP Ivan Baker said on Wednesday: “The arguments Mr. Poilievre is using about carbon taxes and agreements are beside the point.”
Baker, chairman of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, said Canada’s existing free trade agreement with Ukraine only covers goods. The latest version includes services and investments, which Baker said are essential to rebuilding Ukraine.
Baker argued that the Conservative vote was part of a larger pattern of behavior that contributed to declining public support for Ukraine.
featured videosLiberal MP Ivan Baker, who chairs the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, said the Conservative Party’s decision to vote against the updated Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement shows the party does not support Ukraine. He said that it shows.
”[Poilievre] Baker claims that wars have no effect on inflation, even though we know that wars are a major cause of rising food and energy prices around the world, including here at home.”
“It is clear that yesterday’s vote is just one example of Pierre Poièvre’s Conservative Party not supporting Ukraine.”
The amended Canada-Ukraine Commerce Treaty was signed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during President Zelenskiy’s visit to Ottawa in September.
Bill C-57, to implement the 2023 Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine, is currently on review committee after passing the House of Commons by a vote of 205-109 with support from the NDP, Green Party, Bloc Québécois and National Party. being sent to the meeting. Liberals in control.
According to the Fall Economic Statement, Canada plans to spend $816 million in military aid to Ukraine in the current budget year, but a significant decline is expected in the coming years.
Baker defended the spending and said Canada needs to continue supporting Ukraine.
“We can either pay a small price now by helping the Ukrainians win this war decisively, or we can pay a much larger price later in the form of much higher inflation and much greater security risks in the years to come.” Either you pay for it,” Baker said.
