Evidence of meeting #4 for Afghanistan in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was afghans.
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8:25 p.m.
MGen (Ret'd) Dean Milner
I would say, absolutely, yes.
We've had people who did the exact same thing in Syria make recommendations and offer their services. I could call up somebody who led the operations for Syria who would go in there in a heartbeat. There are people out on the ground who will help.
Again, yes, we can assist. We've recommended plans, so, yes, we are 100% on standby to continue to assist.
8:25 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
With respect to the evacuation—sorry, I shouldn't say evacuation—the bringing of people to safety, some of the collaborators, interpreters and so on may have served in a different frame or a different realm; however, not all of them are being recognized by the government in terms of their resettlement support.
From that perspective, how many people do you think fall into that bracket, and what should the government do about it? Should there be policy changes with respect to that?
8:25 p.m.
MGen (Ret'd) David Fraser
We've recommended to the government to be as inclusive as possible. The criteria that the IRCC and the policy have right now are fairly broad. It gets kind of iffy when you talk about human rights. However, for journalists, women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ, cultural advisers, interpreters and cooks, there are enough conditions there that we can probably get them here. We should be more inclusive than exclusive, but, again, it goes back to the comment earlier that was made that we're too risk-averse.
8:30 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Do you think the government should, for example, allow for Canadians to sponsor loved ones who are there? They're the extended families. I've had people tell me that their cousin, for example—
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
I have a point of order, Chair.
I'm sorry to interrupt, Ms. Kwan, but there's only a minute and 50 seconds left until the vote.
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal
Thank you very much, Madam Kwan. You almost got your six minutes.
On behalf of the committee members, I would love to thank both generals, General Fraser and General Milner, and Mr. Thorne for appearing on the committee and for their input to the committee. Thank you kindly.
8:30 p.m.
NDP
Jenny Kwan NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Chair, before you wrap it up, could I ask the witnesses to send their written answers to that last question about sponsorship and extending it beyond parents, grandparents, spouses, independent children, the collaborators and the interpreters?