Evidence of meeting #19 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was drc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you very much.
We'll go to Mr. Pearson, quickly, and then we'll come back to Mr. Goldring; I missed him last time.
Go ahead.
May 13th, 2009 / 5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Glen Pearson Liberal London North Centre, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Mr. Blais, you said that Canada has been disappearing since 2006, and Mr. Tougas, you said that Canada is losing interest in that region.
I appreciate that, because that's my sense from speaking with people on the ground as well, but I would like to ask you this. If they want Canada to be involved, what do civil society leaders in these nations want us to be involved in and to re-engage in?
5:25 p.m.
Program Officer, Africa, International Program Services, Development and Peace
I believe that Canada's contribution to one objective that was appreciated was the support for the process of democratization, the support of civil society organizations to prepare people for the elections, the support of the Independent Electoral Commission. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the process of democratization, there were plans to have local elections after the legislative and presidential elections. In a country without a democratic tradition, people can often learn about democracy at the local level, where they can begin to exercise a certain control over the work of their leaders, to ask for accountability and transparency. The holding of local elections is currently an important issue.
The Independent Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo is requesting support from the international community for funding, and within that, Canada could support civil society organizations to help prepare the populations. This could be a short-term objective.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
Thank you very much.
This is more of a comment on peacekeeping or the prospect of sending in more military help. My understanding is that we have 11 members of the Canadian Forces there now. We are stretched pretty thin worldwide, so the capacity to do it is one question. Also, in the region of the Sudan I believe there was a specific request that only African soldiers be engaged. At the very outside of this, we are contributing some $235 million per year for the military aspect of it. I think that would be a substantial enough contribution.
I see we were asked to provide a deputy commander, but we declined because the multiple national rules of engagement make it very difficult to operate, even for a deputy commander. Maybe it was a wise decision not to participate. I'd like you to comment briefly on that.
On the issue of corporate social responsibility, you mentioned Canadian companies. Maybe you can tell us what companies those are specifically. In short, what types of violations do you see them committing?
5:25 p.m.
Director of Programs for Africa, Great Lakes Region of Africa Issue Table (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda), Entraide Missionnaire inc.
Certainly, sir.
As far as the involvement of MONUC is concerned, you are right, there are problems in terms of the rules of engagement. That is why, when a top Spanish general was appointed, he resigned. Seeing that his hands were tied and realizing what the rules of engagement were, he stepped down. On this subject, you are correct. However, the amount you mentioned is enormous, and this has been going on for years. You must understand that this could last for many more years. All of the expenses incurred with this kind of organization, with these kinds of rules of engagement, with the available troops, have produced this result, which means that this goes on and on and costs an enormous amount of money.
Canada could always find a niche within MONUC where it could be effective. Whether or not it is in terms of training police, as we mentioned earlier, I believe it is important. Canada did so in Haiti and could very well do it there, given its ability. The problem with the United Nations mission is that no country providing troops is francophone. That poses a major problem, because interpreters must always be used, or, rather than speak, people give commands using hand signals. This always causes friction. This is an advantage Canada could have.
As far as the companies are concerned, if I may, I would suggest having a meeting specifically on that issue. In order to find out what we criticize the companies for, one has only to look at the report of the Congolese commission of inquiry. That will tell you—it is written down there—what the difficulties are with each of these contracts, and I could easily bring you these reports.
5:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you.
We're pretty well out of time. If you want to provide answers to any of the questions we've had here today, you may submit them in writing.
We have votes, and at 5:30 we adjourn.
I'd like to thank each you for attending today. We appreciate your attendance here. We look forward to having you back some day. Thank you.
The meeting is adjourned.