Close X
Saturday, September 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Liberals Didn't Sign Off On Saudi Arms Sale But Will Let It Stand, Says Stephane Dion

The Canadian Press, 19 Feb, 2016 12:20 PM
    OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion says the Liberal government does not necessarily approve of Canada's sale of $15 billion worth of light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, a country with a dismal human rights record.
     
    But Dion says the government is simply allowing a previously negotiated contract to stand.
     
    In a rare appearance before the Senate by an elected member of the House of Commons, Dion pointed out that the current government did not approve the sale of the LAV3s, a deal that was negotiated by the Conservatives.
     
    "The government simply refused to cancel a contract that had been given the go-ahead by the previous government; a contract between a private company and Saudi Arabia," Dion said.
     
    "This is an important distinction, because if we would cancel a contract that has been approved, there would probably be stiff penalties that Canadian taxpayers would have to pay."
     
    Dion said doing so would also have weakened the credibility of the Canadian government when it signs other contracts.
     
    Dion's spokesman Joseph Pickerill said Dion was reiterating the government's position on the deal — it didn't approve it, but it's not cancelling it either.
     
    Pickerill also said Saudi Arabia "is a strategic partner and deals such as this have been agreed over successive governments."
     
    Dion reiterated his government's commitment to review future deals, as he criticized Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
     
    The government has faced repeated calls to the cancel the deal between the Saudis and an Ontario company for the vehicles, citing its imprisonment of blogger Raif Badawi and its treatment of women.
     
    Dion answered a range of questions in the 30-minute exchange with senators, including on Russia and Iran.
     
    Dion continued to defend his government's decision to engage diplomatically with them, even if it disagrees with them.
     
    He condemned Russia's behaviour in the Ukraine, but said that's not a reason to stop talking to the country. He said the country's scientists could co-operate on Arctic issues.
     
    He also said Canada looks forward to hosting the leaders of Mexico and United States in a "three amigos summit."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    High-End Homes Sales Up In Toronto, Vancouver, Down In Calgary In 2015: Report

    High-End Homes Sales Up In Toronto, Vancouver, Down In Calgary In 2015: Report
      The report from Sotheby's International Realty Canada says 11,112 homes worth $1 million or more were sold in the Greater Toronto Area last year — an increase of 48 per cent over 2014.

    High-End Homes Sales Up In Toronto, Vancouver, Down In Calgary In 2015: Report

    Toronto Man Starts Petition Calling On Amazon To Stop Selling Suicide Shirts

    Toronto Man Starts Petition Calling On Amazon To Stop Selling Suicide Shirts
    Mark Henick, 28, has launched an online petition on Change.org that has garnered support from hundreds of people.

    Toronto Man Starts Petition Calling On Amazon To Stop Selling Suicide Shirts

    Justin Trudeau Told To Deepen Ties To Saudi Arabian, Brace For Change In Iran

    OTTAWA — Federal officials have told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Canada's strategic interest would be well served by strengthening economic ties with oil-rich Saudi Arabia because of its powerful position in the Persian Gulf.

    Justin Trudeau Told To Deepen Ties To Saudi Arabian, Brace For Change In Iran

    Man Dead After Being Hit By Falling Arcade Game In Quebec City

    Man Dead After Being Hit By Falling Arcade Game In Quebec City
    He was found suffering from a head wound in the wee hours and was declared dead in hospital.

    Man Dead After Being Hit By Falling Arcade Game In Quebec City

    Tips For Helping Youngsters Link Written Words To Language

    Tips For Helping Youngsters Link Written Words To Language
    Reading to very young children is crucial to help them eventually learn to read. But researchers studying how kids begin to understand that text conveys meaning differently than pictures

    Tips For Helping Youngsters Link Written Words To Language

    OPP Issue Warning About Email 'Phishing' Scam That Targets iTunes Users

    OPP Issue Warning About Email 'Phishing' Scam That Targets iTunes Users
    Police say they received a call earlier this week from a concerned person who had received an email claiming to be from iTunes.

    OPP Issue Warning About Email 'Phishing' Scam That Targets iTunes Users