On November 16, 2016, The Hon. Rona Ambrose, Leader of Canada's Official Opposition, issued the following statement:
“On November 16th, 2009, Sergei Magnitsky was murdered in a Moscow prison after he uncovered the largest tax fraud in Russian history. To date, none of the individuals responsible have been brought to justice.
“The United States and the European Union have both adopted Magnitsky sanctions. Unfortunately, despite their campaign promise, the Liberal government has yet to act. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion has repeatedly broken his party’s commitment to update Canada’s laws and ensure that foreign nationals who are responsible for gross human rights violations can be punished and sanctioned accordingly.
“Last month financial expert and human rights advocate Bill Browder announced that he and a team of investigators have tracked more than $13 million dollars associated with an elaborate tax fraud in Russia to bank accounts in Canada. It is clear that Canada is not immune to the actions of corrupt foreign officials, who would use our banking system to hide their assets. The time has come for the Liberal government to act.
“While Minister Dion has embarked upon a misguided effort to re-engage with Vladimir Putin, Conservatives have filled the void. MP James Bezan has tabled Bill C-267, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law). Senator Raynell Andreychuk has tabled similar legislation in the Senate. We have provided the Liberal government with multiple options should they wish to finally listen to the advice of former Liberal MPs such as Bob Rae and Irwin Cotler.
“The world’s worst human rights violators must be held accountable. They cannot be allowed to hide their assets in Canada. On the anniversary of Sergei Magnitsky’s murder in a Russian prison, we urge the Liberal government, particularly Minister Dion, to remember their promise to human rights advocates both in Canada and around the world: support and pass the Magnitsky Law.”
“On November 16th, 2009, Sergei Magnitsky was murdered in a Moscow prison after he uncovered the largest tax fraud in Russian history. To date, none of the individuals responsible have been brought to justice.
“The United States and the European Union have both adopted Magnitsky sanctions. Unfortunately, despite their campaign promise, the Liberal government has yet to act. Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion has repeatedly broken his party’s commitment to update Canada’s laws and ensure that foreign nationals who are responsible for gross human rights violations can be punished and sanctioned accordingly.
“Last month financial expert and human rights advocate Bill Browder announced that he and a team of investigators have tracked more than $13 million dollars associated with an elaborate tax fraud in Russia to bank accounts in Canada. It is clear that Canada is not immune to the actions of corrupt foreign officials, who would use our banking system to hide their assets. The time has come for the Liberal government to act.
“While Minister Dion has embarked upon a misguided effort to re-engage with Vladimir Putin, Conservatives have filled the void. MP James Bezan has tabled Bill C-267, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law). Senator Raynell Andreychuk has tabled similar legislation in the Senate. We have provided the Liberal government with multiple options should they wish to finally listen to the advice of former Liberal MPs such as Bob Rae and Irwin Cotler.
“The world’s worst human rights violators must be held accountable. They cannot be allowed to hide their assets in Canada. On the anniversary of Sergei Magnitsky’s murder in a Russian prison, we urge the Liberal government, particularly Minister Dion, to remember their promise to human rights advocates both in Canada and around the world: support and pass the Magnitsky Law.”
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