I thank the Chair and the Committee for the opportunity to participate in this discussion.
The loss of so many lives on Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was a terrible tragedy. 176 innocent lives – including 138 with ties to Canada – were lost.
This tragedy left behind a void that can never be refilled, for all Canadians, but especially for the victims’ families.
We will continue to hold Iran to account for this tragedy, and to vigorously pursue the transparency, accountability, and justice the families deserve. Our government, along with the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on PS752, has repeatedly called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation according to international standards to answer all the critical outstanding questions.
Canada has been at the forefront of global efforts to uncover the full truth of what happened when Flight PS752 was shot down, including by highlighting the major shortcomings of the Iranian investigation, and demanding that Iran provide answers to Canadians who lost loved ones.
We cannot bring back the lives lost.
However, we must do what we can to prevent future tragedies.
The Safer Skies Initiative is a big part of our response. This initiative was first announced more than a year ago.
It builds on the efforts of the Netherlands, following their own tragedy in 2014, when flight MH-17 was shot down.
The Safer Skies Initiative commits Canada to working with international partners to improve the safety and security of worldwide air travel, addressing gaps in how the civil aviation sector deals with conflict zones.
Through Budget 2021, we also announced 9.1 million dollars for the Safer Skies Initiative, including a permanent, dedicated, and fully resourced Conflict Zone Information Office within Transport Canada.
This office will enhance our ability to monitor foreign conflict zones and rapidly warn air operators of new or emerging risks, and this work has already begun.
People travelling from one part of the world to another should have confidence that they will not be exposed to safety and security risks that conflicts pose to civilian flight operations.
We will further address the clear shortcomings in Iran’s final accident investigation report at the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The Flight PS752 tragedy was heartbreaking. Another terrible incident like it would be unthinkable.
We must never forget, but we must move forward.
Today, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced a new public policy to offer a pathway to permanent residence for in-Canada families of victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 who were Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
This measure is an important part of our government’s ongoing support to these families.
In-Canada families of victims who were Canadian citizens, permanent residents or foreign nationals who were found eligible on their permanent residence application can apply for permanent residence under this policy, which will remain in effect until May 11, 2022.
Our government will continue to support the families, who have demonstrated strength, courage, and grace throughout this difficult and challenging time.
To honour all victims of air tragedies, we have designated January 8th of every year as a National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters.
That, of course, is the anniversary of the Flight 752 tragedy.
On January 8th every year – and on every day
- we should remember.
And we will continue to work to ensure this never happens again.
Thank you.