Foreign Affairs Committee on April 14th, 2016

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

We would all like not to have to keep coalition forces in Iraq and Syria. We hope that these countries become stable again and capable of moving toward becoming pluralistic democracies. But we're far from that. In the meantime, we have a commitment of several years to honour. Our goal isn't only to abolish this horrible terrorist group, but also to ensure that it does not re-emerge later through another group and under another name. So we need to create conditions conducive to lasting stability and peace.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

I'd like to move on to something else.

You mentioned that $2.5 billion had been sent abroad. I'd like to know what it's for.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

Did you say $2.5 billion?

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

I think it's for the environment.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

You mean $2.65 billion. Don't cut my funds.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Could you tell us exactly what it's for?

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

I think we can find that information.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Nault]

Because we are going to be doing the estimates on this specifically as we go forward—

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent, QC]

I have the information on that. I could send it to you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bob Nault]

—maybe what I'll do, because our time is pretty much done, is certainly to revisit this.

Minister, I want to wrap this up by letting you know how much we appreciate your time today. I also want you to know that the committee is working very collaboratively to try to depoliticize, if I can put it in those terms, to make this committee very effective, as hard as it may be for all of us who make our living being politicians. Part of that role will be to have you visit us on a fairly regular basis. You know I will be asking to have you visit the committee and talk about these issues, so people will have an opportunity to ask these questions and make their points. This was a very good start.

I want to let the committee know just a little of what has transpired to set up this meeting. I did ask to have it televised and was told that it was booked by other committees, so we'll attempt to do that as we work our way through this. I think it's important.

Frankly, on the women, peace and security study, I wish we did get it televised more often. We've had some absolutely amazing witnesses so far. The more I think about it, the more I wish that Canadians could listen to what we've been listening to on a regular basis.

Minister, I will invite you, on behalf of the committee, to do the estimates sometime very soon.

I think it was a very good start. We appreciate your time and effort here today, and we look forward to seeing you again.

Colleagues, as you know, next Tuesday we have General Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Lieutenant-General Christine Whitecross, chief of the military personnel command. We will also have the head of the RCMP. We will have an opportunity to speak on the military side as it relates to the women, peace and security study, which, as you know, is a very important part. I look forward to seeing you back here on Tuesday at 3:30.

Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.