Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 7th, 2013

[Bart Witteveen]

I don't think there's a simple answer to that. I would find it very difficult to anticipate exactly what's going to happen. I think our key concern is, as I stated in my opening remarks, that we don't see a military solution to the conflict. There has to be some type of process of consultation throughout the country that takes into consideration the interests, the needs, and the grievances of all the parties that are party to the conflict to come to some longer-term solution. What we are advocating for is that those avenues are found in the most constructive way.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Let me ask you, because I think that's quite a statement...I jotted that down. You don't see a military solution as the solution. But you would have to concede that it is part of a solution. You have to have peace and stable institutions for a normal functioning democracy to take root and for humanitarian needs to be addressed. Would you agree that that's part of the solution?

[Bart Witteveen]

It could be, yes. I'm not a military expert so I'm not going to....

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

I'm a bit confused. Is it easier to provide aid in an environment where there is peace or where there is fighting?

[Bart Witteveen]

That's a rhetorical question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Mr. Fried, do you have a comment?

[Mark Fried]

I'd simply add that obviously we need to have peace in a country in order to provide the stability so that people can work their way out of poverty, and that there are serious concerns about whether the African forces can provide that sort of security you're talking about. Canada could play a role in ensuring that they have the human rights capacity, the capacity for understanding their role as protectors of civilians, as protectors of communities. And indeed, the United Nations should be deploying human rights monitors at this point, even during the conflict itself, so that we can begin that process of healing between communities and military forces, which will be essential for building the peace.

[John Williamson, Conservative, New Brunswick Southwest, NB]

Right.

Mr. McCort, any comments?

[Kevin McCort]

What I would add is that in these contexts what's important to us is that the neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian actors are built up as opposed to brought down. So we're asking anyone.... Even whether there's fighting or no fighting, humanitarian actors who are deemed impartial and neutral by the parties to the conflict can often deliver assistance even in the context of fighting. So that's the piece we're really emphasizing, that our actions need to remain apolitical and depoliticized to enable us to reach populations in need.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Williamson.

We're going to move over to Mr. Dewar and then Mr. Dusseault who's going to finish up with one quick question.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I just have a quick comment and then over to my colleague.

Based on the government's own numbers, we have about $20 million that was committed for Mali that was not spent, from when the budgets froze. So I think it's important for people to know that the $13 million, albeit welcome, is not in total in keeping with what the commitment was for Mali. I think it's important people know that, as welcome as that $13 million is.

So the government was sitting on $20 million for this fiscal year and there's still money there.

I'll turn it over to my colleague for questions.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I only have a few minutes left, and I have a very specific question to ask the representatives from World Vision Canada. We know that this organization works more specifically for the well-being of children in countries where there are needs. We know that children are often the most vulnerable in the vast majority of conflicts.

My question is about child soldiers in Mali. What is the situation at this time? Is this a real problem? What are some possible solutions? What role can Canada play in this regard?

[Bart Witteveen]

I think it's fair to say that it is a problem. It's very clear that some parties to the conflict are recruiting children, either by force or other means. As such, it's a critical issue. I think what's important is these are events that are very difficult to prevent. What we advocate is for an understanding of the legal ramifications in terms of international law. In that sense we would encourage Canada to raise this issue internationally with a focus on the actors in Mali.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

I would like to take the little time I have left to address the representative of Oxfam.

How do you see the upcoming elections unfolding? Will this be a source of conflict? What do you see happening after the elections?

[Mark Fried]

We are always working with hope that everything will be peaceful and that the conflict will be resolved. As a foreign player, we cannot make comments on the elections in another country.

[Pierre-Luc Dusseault, NDP, Sherbrooke, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

To our witnesses, thank you very much, as I said, for being here today on short notice to discuss Mali.

I just want to read into the record a letter I've received from Minister Fantino. It says:

Dear Mr. Allison,

I'm writing in follow up to my appearance Tuesday, December 4, before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

M.P. Paul Dewar raised a question regarding the number of projects I have approved since taking on the International Cooperation portfolio. As of January 23, 2013, I had approved 35 projects.

Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to have your office contact Jennifer Cooper, Ministerial Services....

We will scan the letter and have it sent to all of the offices. That's just for the record.

Thank you once again, ladies and gentlemen. We really appreciate it.

With that, the meeting is adjourned.