Foreign Affairs Committee on June 17th, 2010

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

But some of the conditions—

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

—but I believe that by re-engaging we can do more to encourage, again, the justice system to work properly for violence against women and minorities, indigenous people, but also to address the issues of social injustice that will take the—

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I'm just curious. During this time it was asked—I was one of them—that we suspend cooperation between the two countries on military and DFAIT affairs. The U.S. has done that, and others.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

We did.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

But there was some reluctance at the beginning. I'm just curious why there was a reluctance.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Well, the Canadian MTAP, the military training assistance program, is fairly low-profile. It's a training program, language training—

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I understand.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

—and it was paused. There was disengagement.

With regard to CIDA's aid, there were no government-to-government transfers of funds.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

No, I was just talking of the one program.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Yes, the MTAP. It was paused. It has re-engaged.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

You're confident that it's something we should continue with at this point?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

I believe so. Again, we agree with the list of countries that hold the same position: Panama; the neighbouring countries; El Salvador, which was magnificently restrained throughout the whole crisis year; Mexico; and the United States.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

If I may—

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

A quick one.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

It's a very quick one. It's about Cuba.

I just wonder if you've been able to deal with the issue around the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and his lack of access to you. I know he had set up a lunch with you, and the visa was restricted. I've written a letter to the minister. Has that been ironed out, and have you looked into it?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

To my knowledge, we're working on it. The visa was denied on the basis of his history. As you know, any number of other ministers come to Canada regularly, but they are not encumbered by--

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

He was here for five years. He served here and was in Washington. He was known.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Yes. His history was known. I don't know when he was proscribed or when he was listed as someone not to be allowed into Canada.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

It was a surprise to many.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

It was a surprise to us. But a ministerial permit is always required to be able to get around. The visa was issued--

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I know, but only to meet with you, ironically.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

And members of the department, and also--

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Not me.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Really?

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Really.