Canada sends 3rd plane of supplies to Ukraine

Escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East pose a serious threat to global trade, CanadianForeign Affairs Minister John Baird said today, asCanada senta third and final shipment of supplies to Ukraine.

Baird made the comments during his address Friday to the Chamber of Commerce in London, Ont.

The "non-lethal" supplies for Ukraine's military are intended to bolster the Ukrainians' efforts to secure their eastern border, according to a release from the Department of National Defence.TheCC-177 Globemaster III aircraft left from Trenton, Ont., earlier Friday.

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Baird said Friday in his address thatRussia's"militaristic and expansionist government" threatens peace and stability in the region. He also criticized Russian President VladimirPutin for his continued "attempts to destabilize Ukraines democratically elected government."

"This 19th-century imperial behaviour is absolutely unacceptable to Canada," Baird said.

He said the increasing threat of militarization of Russia and instability in Iraq emphasizes the need for better global security cooperation.

"You cant have open trade when it is necessary to take actions like sanctioning Russia over its provocations in Ukraine," Baird said.

"And frankly, you cant have a prosperous air industry bringing the world together when planes are being shot out of the sky."

Ukraine had threatened to block an aid convoy from Russia fromcrossing its borders, leading to fears of escalation of the conflict.

Ukraine has been reluctant to allow the convoy to enterover suspicions that it's a ruse to get military help to separatist rebels. It agreed to let the Red Cross distribute aid in the eastern Ukrainian town ofLuhanskafter Russia allowed Ukrainian officials to inspect the convoy ofroughly200 trucks.

Protesters interrupt Baird's speech

Baird's Chamber of Commerce speech wasinterrupted by demonstrators who demanded an answer for hisstance on the conflict in Gaza.

"If you are a Palestinian family who wanted to express your political opposition to the terrorist groupHamasin the GazaStrip, you would not be able to do that, so we live in a very blessed country," Baird responded before quickly returning to his speech.

Earlier this week, Baird took to Twitterto scoff at the UN for itsappointments toacommission examining possible war crimes in Gaza.

Canadian human rights lawyerWilliam Schabaswas chosen to lead the commission.

Schabashasbeen critical of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu in the past, once suggesting that he believesNetanyahushould be "in the dock of an international court," but he called allegations that he is biased against Israel "absurd."

Baird said the appointmentswerean "utter shame" that will do nothing to promote peace for Israel and the Palestinians.

Listen to Chris Hall's interview with Foreign Affairs Minister JohnBaird on The House this Saturday at 9 a.m. on CBC Radio Oneand Serious XM SatelliteRadio on channel 169.