Evidence of meeting #28 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was darfur.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Knowing as we do that everything is more centralized around Khartoum, in terms of development assistance, do you have a very different strategy as between the north and the south, or is it one strategy for the entire country?
Director, Sudan Task Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The strategy is geared to the local situation. We have a cross-country approach to Sudan, which doesn't mean that we have projects in each state, but we have decided not to focus on Darfur or the south or the centre.
In Darfur, most of the programming is humanitarian, given the current situation, whereas in the south, it's more a matter of postwar reconstruction. So the strategy is geared to the current situation.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Thank you.
Does anyone have any further questions?
Go ahead, Mr. Dewar.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
I have a couple of quick questions, but a comment first.
I want to underline the work that had been done with training women in security. I think we should highlight that as something that was successful. Having met with some of the policewomen who were involved in that, I think it's a great model for Canada to export, not just to other parts of Africa, obviously, but also globally. This is something that members should look into if they don't know, and it was under...with this government.
Have you heard any concerns--I don't want a reaction, because I understand where you were situated--about UDI, unilateral declaration of independence? I heard about that from someone recently, a Canadian who is plugged in there. That scenario would be of concern, because it would say that the trust has been broken between the south and the north. I just want to know if you've heard that.
Second, the protection of minorities in the north has been a problem before. Has there been any planning or consideration for protection of minorities in the north following the referendum--or actually just any protection of minorities in the north, period?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Eurasia and Africa Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The honourable member is right, I think, that there is a lot of rumour right now, a lot of speculation, about various outcomes. We see a lot of commentary in the press. We certainly hear a lot of different theories from some of our sources as well. But as I said, I think that just as a decision to postpone the referendum would be destabilizing, likewise any kind of unilateral declaration would also be extremely destabilizing. That's one of the reasons why we're remaining so focused on encouraging the parties to stick to the agreement.
If I may, the honourable member talked about building trust between the parties, and that's really what is at the foundation of all of this, trying to use the CPA to keep them on track and to use the kinds of discussions and negotiations that are going on around post-referendum issues, whether it's citizenship or debt or so on, to build that level of trust so that ultimately they can reach agreement on some of these important issues.
On minorities in the north, perhaps I'll ask one of my colleagues if he might like to comment.
Director, Sudan Task Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
There are many minorities in the north. Sudan is a very diverse country. In our dealings with the Government of Sudan, we put a premium on human rights. We keep stressing to them, through programming but also through our dialogue with them, that a sine qua non for a better relationship with Canada is an improved human rights record. And obviously, the treatment of minorities in northern Sudan is an important part of that.
We're also working with some of the civil society groups to foster more democratic space.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Before we go in camera to look at committee business, I have a question.
You gentlemen said you're heading over to Sudan in a couple of weeks. What's the timeframe? Is it the first part of November?
I guess my question is whether you'd be willing to come back to committee after you go there.
To committee members, would you want them to come back or perhaps to submit something? I mean, it would make sense, since we've been talking about that.
So would you be free to come back after break week, after the Remembrance Day week? Are you going before then or after the 11th?
I'm simply trying to get a sense of timing.
Director, Sudan Task Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
For the most part, it's during that week. We'll be back the week after the break week.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Okay, so you'll be around that week.
To the committee, would that make sense?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Okay.
We'd appreciate hearing how you're making out, since we're committing a few meetings to it right now.
We'll work that into the schedule, if that's all right with everybody.
Again, thank you to our guests for taking the time to be here.
[Proceedings continue in camera]