Subcommittee on International Human Rights Committee on Nov. 19th, 2013

[Jeff Nankivell]

I would say that it's a very predominant theme running through the programming we support that's related to rebuilding livelihoods in the north. A predominant theme in that is empowering women economically. Through skills training programs, for instance, we support through World University Service of Canada programs and local NGO programs of skills training with the emphasis on places for women. They're generating good results relative to the baseline. Relative to the norm up to now, they're generating good results in terms of raising the proportion of women who have access to those programs and graduating—

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Do you know what language those services are provided in? The training.

[Jeff Nankivell]

I believe they're being done in Tamil as well as in Sinhalese, but I'll get back to you on the specifics on that for the different programs.

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Thank you.

I have one quick question in my last bit of time left. You had mentioned in your opening remarks that you were happy about the most recent election in the north and that there needs to be more devolution of power to the provincial councils. Do you think it's important for us as an other country to be recognizing the newly elected provincial council and speaking to them as well, because it's been a very clear decision that was made by the people to change the direction of the government in that community?

[Susan Gregson]

So you're asking whether Canada should reach out to the elected officials?

[Rathika Sitsabaiesan, NDP, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Absolutely.

[Susan Gregson]

I think that's really a decision for the government to take. I understand that it's quite normal to reach out and congratulate elected officials in other countries.

I don't know, Deborah, if you want to add to that.

[Deborah Chatsis]

I just want to add that Parliamentary Secretary Obhrai just met with the chief minister last week when he was in the north of Sri Lanka.

[The Chair, Conservative, Scott Reid]

I'll let you finish off, Mr. Schellenberger.

[Gary Schellenberger, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Thank you.

I have one comment. I think, yes, for ordinary parliamentarians a trip to Sri Lanka would be great, but because there are two different factions in Sri Lanka.... You mentioned that there are two friendship groups here. The best way to make things work would be to bring those two friendship groups into one. Show the people in Sri Lanka that the Sri Lankan people, or the people from here in Canada, can get together and make things work. I think that would be a good first step.

I happen to be chair of the Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group. Twenty-five years ago in Germany a reunification happened—two different factions. I think it's great.

[The Chair, Conservative, Scott Reid]

All right. We are now out of time.

I want to thank all of our witnesses for coming here and providing us such fulsome evidence.

A number of promises were made to get back to individual committee members with information. I wonder if you could actually submit that information to our clerk, who will then make sure to distribute it to all members of the committee. We'll make sure that it's given to them in both official languages. It will then enter our records as part of the evidence you've given us. That will be very helpful.

Thank you very much, all of you.

Colleagues, we are adjourned.