Foreign Affairs Committee on May 6th, 2024

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

On the issue of the Palestinians—in particular, I think you're referring to the possible displacement of people from Rafah—our position on that is very clear. We oppose any military action against innocent civilians in Rafah, because they have nowhere else to go; therefore, they're staying and seeking refuge in Rafah. We've made that very clear.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

That's not the question. I'm asking about when there comes a time that this conflict is over—hopefully, soon, because there's such an incredible loss of life—and there is rebuilding of Gaza. Does the Canadian government commit that no rebuilding of Gaza will happen unless the right of Gazans to return to their homeland is clear?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

I'm just not sure what you're referring to in terms of.... I mean, do you have information to inform me about whether Palestinians have been denied their right to return to Gaza? I'm not sure what you're referring to, Ms. McPherson.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Yes. There's a long history of Palestinians not being able to return to their homeland—

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Particularly to Gaza—

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

—and there is a very big risk that, if there are not concrete steps taken by the international community in this circumstance, the same failure to allow Gazans to return could happen again. I do not want Canada to be involved in helping to rebuild Gaza and build a part of Palestine if Gazans are not given the absolute, clear right to return to their homeland.

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

Look, we support a ceasefire. We support the right of Palestinians, as civilians—

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

That's not what I asked, Minister.

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

—to live in peace in Gaza, and we oppose military action in Rafah.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

For the last two questions, for two minutes each, we first go to Mr. Genuis. You have two minutes.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian situations in Gaza and in Afghanistan, as I've said many times. Both of these territories are controlled by recognized terrorist organizations. Canadian organizations cannot operate in these places without authorization. That was the problem that Bill C-41 was supposed to solve. It was supposed to provide a framework whereby organizations could provide support in terrorist-controlled areas.

We heard last spring, when we studied this bill at the justice committee, about the great urgency of the matter to avoid another winter. That was in the case of Afghanistan. Minister, it's been a full year. No organization has been given authorization, because there's been no framework whatsoever for giving them authorization. In my view, given the urgency of this and that we were told a year ago what the urgency was, this is utterly disgraceful, and this affects many of the humanitarian contexts we're talking about. Is this an issue of government incompetence that we've delayed a year, or is it simply a matter of you or your officials not actually believing in the framework of the bill in the first place?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

I will avoid the hyperbole of the member and stick to the facts.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Yes, many people are dying, and I've been given only two minutes, so you have 30 seconds. Can you provide an answer?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Allow the minister to respond, please.

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

I'm not going to resort to hyperbole. If you let me answer, I'll give you the answer that I provided earlier—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Talk, please. I want to know. What's the answer?

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

—which is that this is an important matter. The delays are frustrating for all of us, and I understand where you're coming from. Public Safety is leading this effort. We're working with them. I hope we can arrive at a solution very soon in the coming months and that we operationalize this as quickly as possible. That's why—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister, that's not good enough, and if I seem frustrated, it's because I am, and I'm trying to reflect the urgency and frustration of the vast number of people who have families in Gaza, Afghanistan and other places that are controlled by terrorist organizations.

I have one more question I want to get in. I, along with other members, sent you a letter—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

You have nine seconds left.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Well, I'll get it in. I sent you a letter on Burma. It took you six months to respond, and you didn't answer the core question. Why are you providing aid through government-controlled areas instead of opposition-controlled areas in Burma? It took you six months to respond, and you didn't even answer that basic question as to why it is not through opposition-controlled areas.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Be very brief, Minister.

[Ahmed Hussen, Liberal, York South—Weston, ON]

It's very rich that the honourable member is trying to give me a hard time for aid to Burma when his leader would cut all international aid. Maybe you should advocate.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

That is complete nonsense. Can you answer the question and take your job seriously?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Mr. Genuis, as I indicated to you, you're out of time. Thank you.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Can you answer the question, Minister?