Evidence of meeting #11 for Afghanistan in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was officials.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Thank you very much.
Thank you to the minister as well for understanding.
Madam Kwan, please go ahead.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm just looking for a yes-or-no answer from the minister, but not an explanation and a repeat of what she already said.
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
My answer is, if it's the NDP position that the Taliban regime should not be recognized in the Criminal Code, or if it's the position of the NDP that the Taliban regime should be recognized by the...mentioned in the Criminal Code, but at the same time that there's a mechanism for humanitarian aid, I would love to know it, so I'm looking forward to working with her.
Thank you.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
I would urge the minister to read Hansard, then, because I'm on record with respect to what my suggestion is in dealing with this issue.
Can the minister advise if she or her office have been offered any assistance by allied countries with biometric collection?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
Thank you, Jenny. That's a really good question, because I've reached out to many countries to find ways to be able to have safe passage in Afghanistan, including the EU directly and Germany. Also, obviously, we had conversations with Qatar, UAE and Pakistan.
The issue is definitely the question of biometrics and making sure that the security of the biometric facility is ensured.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
My question was: Has the minister or the minister's office been offered this assistance by allied countries, yes or no?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
We've reached out proactively, and I have reached out proactively.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Is the minister saying that she and her office have not been offered assistance by allied countries for biometrics collection?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
I've had many conversations with many countries, including Pakistan, UAE and Qatar on this, like I mentioned. Our goal has always been to make sure that biometrics could be done and could be done safely, and we wanted to work particularly with NATO allies on this issue.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
It's been brought to my attention that the ministry, GAC, has been offered by allied countries to do biometric collections for Canada in their offices or in mobile offices. That was back in January, to my understanding, and yet, to date, this has not been taken up. Why not?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
We have clear security concerns that, because of the fact that there are terrorism groups in Afghanistan and in the region, any form of presence can be targeted, and therefore there's a security issue.
That's been the challenge of the Government of Canada, Jenny. It's how we can make sure that there are biometrics and people brought to Canada, and meanwhile, not create a security issue for Canadian diplomats on site.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
It sounds to me that the minister is saying that allied countries are not capable of doing biometrics, which is concerning.
A group of 35 lawyers, Shajjan & Associates, was hired by the ministry of Justice to represent the embassy and many Canadian departments with interests in Afghanistan. They worked for the embassy for nine years. They all applied for the special immigration measures. GAC gave them a verbal confirmation that they would be provided an invitation to apply, but, to date, no invitation has arrived.
I wrote to the minister about this, both this minister and the minister of Immigration.
Does the minister keep track of the cases referred to IRCC for processing?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
Definitely. I work with my colleague Sean Fraser. Obviously I've seen your emails, and I've answered all of them with great pleasure. At the same time, it is important for us to follow up, and this is definitely something that IRCC is in charge of.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
I raised that with the Minister of Immigration, who seemed surprised and said, “Oh, I haven't heard that”. Of course, I have a list of these individuals who have applied, and it has gone nowhere. I did receive responses from the minister acknowledging receipt of these letters, but no real response.
It would be great for the officials to table any documentation to the committee to show that they have, in fact, followed up with IRCC, what the expectations are, and what will happen with GAC with these individuals who are being left behind.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Thank you.
Now we'll go to the second round. I will start with my own member here. We have 17 minutes, and five minutes go to Madame Findlay.
Please go ahead.
Conservative
Kerry-Lynne Findlay Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Through you to the minister, it's our understanding that no arrangements were made with any of our allies to assist with the IRCC mission either before or after the fall of Kabul. Why is that?
Liberal
Mélanie Joly Liberal Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC
Before the fall of Kabul, I would not have known. I am not aware. After the fall of Kabul, until my appointment, I have no information in that regard.
Conservative
Kerry-Lynne Findlay Conservative South Surrey—White Rock, BC
Why did Canada leave Afghanistan two days before all of our allies, who were still actively evacuating people from within the country?
Liberal