Evidence of meeting #31 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was going.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Jinny Sims NDP Newton—North Delta, BC
I think this points to a truism that democracy is fragile, whether it's in Africa or whether it's right here in Canada.
My question is specifically regarding where you talked about a military force of 2,000 maybe going into Mali. I wanted to know what kind of a role Canada will be playing in that.
Director General, Africa Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Thanks for the question.
The 2,000 ECOWAS figure is what ECOWAS has mentioned so far. The chiefs of defence staff of ECOWAS countries are meeting tomorrow. We should know a little bit more about that.
I think we are all waiting to see what ECOWAS intends for this mission. What are the objectives of the mission? What's the mandate they're going to give? Who are they going to include in the mission? Will it just be these 2,000? Will there be a role for others? We're waiting to see that.
Sadia Groguhé NDP Saint-Lambert, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My question is about population displacement and, more particularly, about the considerable number of refugees. I would like to know how the international community intends to ensure the safety and protection of those people.
In addition, what kind of humanitarian aid can be provided to those displaced populations? We know that the most vulnerable groups—consisting of women and children—flee the quickest.
Director General, Africa Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Currently, displaced people are being provided with assistance.
For example, in some countries we have UNHCR working with these. In other countries, for example in Algeria, it's families on the borders who are taking care of the refugees. Those are continuing in other countries around Mali.
Regional Director General, West and Central Africa, Canadian International Development Agency
Minister Oda announced $41 million for the Sahel region. That money is for food, but also for the refugees. The International Committee of the Red Cross is to receive $1.5 million to help refugees in the region as well.
NDP
Sadia Groguhé NDP Saint-Lambert, QC
So that money is really related to those displacements, in the wake of the coup.
Regional Director General, West and Central Africa, Canadian International Development Agency
It has to do with that.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
The bells are ringing.
I want to thank all our officials for being here today to give us that briefing on Mali.
NDP
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
The officers who took over are rather low-ranking. What are the higher officers doing?
Director General, Africa Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
We know the higher officers haven't joined the mid-level officers, but neither have they actually spoken out against them.
Conservative