Liberals, NDP, Bloc accuse Conservatives of stalling Canada-Ukraine free trade deal
CTV
Conservatives faced a barrage of partisan fire Friday in the House of Commons as their political rivals accused the official Opposition of trying to stall measures aimed at helping Ukraine.
Conservatives faced a barrage of partisan fire Friday in the House of Commons as their political rivals accused the official Opposition of trying to stall measures aimed at helping Ukraine.
The heated exchange in the House followed a motion introduced by the Tories that prevented MPs from considering a bill aimed at modernizing Canada's free trade agreement with Ukraine, known as CUFTA.
On Thursday, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress sent a letter to Pierre Poilievre expressing their disappointment in the Conservative leader and asking him to support the legislation.
"Ukraine needs assistance in strengthening economic resilience," wrote Alexandra Chyczji, the group's national president. "Ukraine's government has stressed that the modernization of CUFTA would play an important role in this regard."
The Liberals have also framed the agreement as an opportunity to help boost the economic prospects for Ukraine as it navigates the consequences of its protracted and bloody war with Russia.
The Tories have repeatedly voiced public support for Ukraine, including during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Canada in September. But last week, Conservative MPs opposed a bill that would have updated the trade deal signed during Zelenskyy's visit.
Conservatives say they oppose the legislation because they believe it will "promote carbon pricing" in both countries, an accusation the Liberals described Friday as a red herring.Both Canada and Ukraine already have their own carbon pricing plans.
