Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Michael Chong, Conservative Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence, and James Bezan, Conservative Shadow Minister for Ethics, issued the following statement calling for further action to counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:

“Putin’s continued unprovoked, illegal attack and invasion of Ukraine is the first major European war between countries since the Second World War and a serious violation of the international order and our collective humanity.

“In the face of this direct threat to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, Canada must use all of the tools available as a country to defend Ukraine and Europe against a vicious authoritarian onslaught.

“While we continue to support the actions taken to date by the Government of Canada, we recognize that more can, and should be done. Conservatives are calling for the government to take additional actions immediately, including:

• Supporting our NATO allies in Eastern Europe by resuming CF-18 policing operations as part of Operation REASSURANCE;
• Sending Canadian field hospitals and surplus Canadian Army vehicles, including Bison Armoured Vehicle ambulances, via Poland;
• Seeking a relocation of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session planned for June in Kazan, Russia.

“The cost of not supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty is too great. It means that dictators and autocrats around the world can redraw lines on a map by force, and get away with it. This is a pivotal moment in history. What Canada does now matters.

“Conservatives stand with Ukraine, the people of Ukraine, and the more than one million Canadians with ties to Ukraine. We continue to believe that Canada must strengthen our own defenses and renew our commitment to the NATO alliance in the face of the threats from Russia.”