Foreign Affairs Committee on May 8th, 2024

[Andy Harrington]

Well, again, being non-partisan, I think there are aspects of it that were effective. There were ways in which we were able to impact gender equality around the world that were very effective. I think there are some places where it was not effective and we did not really have a thought-through strategy, particularly for Africa, in terms of how development could be interwoven with the other aspects of Canadian foreign affairs. Certainly, when I look at the work that was done with women and gender, I'm happy. I think there are wider things we can do. I think a key thing we need to do—and I think all of us would agree with this—is to increase official development aid so that we can have more impact in the countries that we're talking about today.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Is an economic development approach a shorter way to get through, to be more effective and to have better presence, yes or no?

[Andy Harrington]

I would say yes to both. I think that if we don't have an economic aspect to what we do, we're not going to be building stability in those countries and building trade links for us, so there has to be an economic aspect, yes, but it has to be underpinned by development aspects as well.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

For the last question we go to MP Alghabra for three minutes.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to the witnesses for being here today.

Many of the questions that I was planning on asking were asked earlier, so let me build on the point that you just mentioned, Mr. Harrington, on the role of corporate Canada. I think we all agree that we need to see more economic activities and engagement in the region. Can you help us understand what else...how can we increase the motivation, other than just profit, obviously? How can we increase—and by extension, of course, it will be profit—also the synchronicity and co-operation with international development agencies on advancing the overall goals of Canada and Canadian workers?

[Andy Harrington]

I'm sure some of my colleagues will also have something to say on this, so I'll make time for them.

I will say, first of all, that if we don't engage with the Canadian public and Canadian industry, we won't be able to raise the awareness that we need for Canada to actually have a footprint that makes sense within Africa, so there has to be a way for us to engage. I think, also with businesses, it's important for us as development agencies and others to work with them to influence some of their practices in countries that are resource rich. We see places like the DRC, for example—Democratic Republic of Congo—which has resource wars happening all the time, and so it's really important that we engage with both the Canadian public and Canadian businesses in order to make sure that the ethical and principled leadership that they can provide in Africa, through their economic activities, is highly encouraged. I've seen ways, actually, in which we can have partnerships between development agencies and economic drivers, international economic drivers in Africa, that can really benefit local communities.

I'm keen for my colleagues to answer that one as well.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Yes, I would also like to hear from other witnesses.

Mr. Dongier, go ahead.

[Philippe Dongier]

The most effective social policy for Africa is, in fact—in the view of African leaders and many—to attract more investment, to create more jobs. The continent is moving from 1.5 billion people to four billion in the next four or five decades. The challenge of the creation of jobs is essential, and there has to be investment in labour-intensive industries. You know there are different industries that have potential in Africa, but among them the agro-based transformation industry is one that not only meets the pressing consumer needs of the continent but also is very labour-intensive and one in which Canadian businesses have skills and value to bring. How you facilitate that is a question, but I have no doubt that this is at the core of the needs of the continent: growth that is inclusive and that's done in a sustainable way.

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

I will give Mr. Côté also a chance to respond, and ask him whether there's an example that he can give of how organizations have worked with the corporate world to advance this objective.

[Denis Côté]

Unfortunately, I'd need some time to think about that. I can't think of any examples right now, but I agree with what Mr. Dongier said. The agri-food sector is an important one in Africa, so we have to work with small and medium-sized businesses and with the communities there. Most importantly, that has to be done ethically.

In my opinion, we definitely have to look more at how our activities can have a positive impact on human rights and on the economic development of communities there. If Canadian companies that operate ethically can engage with communities, so much the better. That's a good thing.

We mustn't forget that development assistance promotes economic development there, which can create or strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises that can then work with Canadian businesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you very much.

That concludes the questions by the members.

Mr. Dongier, Monsieur Côté and Mr. Harrington, I'd like to thank you very much. We're very grateful for your time, insights and expertise.

We will suspend while we prepare for the next panel.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Welcome back, everyone.

We will now resume with the second panel we'll be hearing from today.

I'd like to welcome Mr. Jason Nickerson, who is with Doctors Without Borders. He is their representative to Canada.

We also have, from Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie, Marie-Pierre Nogarède, deputy executive director, as well as Maxime Allard, director, volunteer co-operation program.

From Islamic Relief Canada, we have Catriona Addleton, director of international programs, by video conference.

Each of you will be provided five minutes for your opening remarks.

We're very far behind on our schedule, so this time I'm going to be very aggressive in holding everyone to the time limitations. The time limitations apply not only to your opening remarks but also when you're responding to questions from members.

All of that having been explained, we will start off with Mr. Nickerson.

You have five minutes for your opening remarks.

[Dr. Jason Nickerson, Humanitarian Representative to Canada, Doctors Without Borders]

Thank you very much.

Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières, is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides medical care to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, forced displacement and neglect. We carry out emergency medical interventions in more than 70 countries around the world, where access to health care has been disrupted and urgent needs cannot or will not be met by local authorities or other care providers.

Of the countries that MSF works in today, 35 are in Africa, representing more than half of MSF's activities by expenditure and totalling roughly $1.15 billion. Eight of our 10 largest country programs are in African countries.

Each of these countries, and our work in them, is complex and diverse, so I want to situate my remarks on the reality of what our teams witnessed today in two countries in particular—Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

MSF has been present in Sudan since 1979 and currently works in 11 states providing emergency medical care, surgery and outpatient primary care. Today, there are more than 10 million Sudanese people who have been displaced, because of the conflict that erupted in April 2023. Over 1.7 million people have crossed the border into neighbouring countries, including Chad, Central African Republic and South Sudan. MSF runs large emergency medical programs in each of these countries and has also scaled up there significantly.

For months, we've been sounding the alarm on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan and a response that is well below emergency standards. It's been marked by administrative obstructions from the warring parties that are denying humanitarian organizations necessary visas, travel authorizations or permissions to bring in supplies or to reach affected populations.

The consequences are very real. Last week we issued a press release highlighting the results of the malnutrition screening our teams conducted in Zamzam camp in North Darfur, Sudan. The results showed that a staggering 30% of the 46,000 children our teams screened were suffering from acute malnutrition, and 33% of the 16,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women screened were acutely malnourished.

All of this comes alongside a reality of a violent conflict, where our teams are treating hundreds of war-wounded patients, including children, as we call for an urgent scale-up in the humanitarian response; for warring parties to ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarians and health care infrastructure; and for countries like Canada to leverage their full diplomatic influence to ensure it.

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, we're responding to a massive humanitarian crisis, following renewed fighting in 2022, which has displaced at least 1.6 million people in a conflict that has largely been neglected, and where violence against civilians is widespread. For example, in 2023 alone, MSF clinics provided care for 20,556 survivors of sexual violence across North Kivu, which we know is only a fraction of the need.

Yet, the broader humanitarian response to this crisis has been grossly inadequate, which is why MSF has been calling repeatedly for a scaled-up humanitarian response, including a specific call for Canada to increase its humanitarian assistance and to leverage its full suite of diplomatic tools to find solutions to this crisis.

Canada is a respected humanitarian donor that operates in a principled manner that keeps humanitarian assistance and politics separate. This separation is important, but I also want to emphasize that resolving conflicts is not the work of humanitarians. It's the responsibility of states. Here, we would like to see a clearer proposal for Canadian diplomacy and engagement in fragile and conflict-affected states, including in African countries.

To close, I want to mention that, as a medical humanitarian organization, we remain extremely concerned about our teams' and our patients' access to essential medicines, which, coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, became a significant flashpoint at the intersection of public health, human rights and international trade, and which saw many African countries deprived of timely access to vaccines and therapeutics. Unfortunately, this is not unusual for the way the market works, but there are some lessons to be learned for Canada's approach to medical research and development.

For example, from 2018 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of Congo experienced the second-largest outbreak of Ebola on record, which occurred simultaneously within a violent and protracted armed conflict. There was, at the time, only an experimental vaccine, which happens to have been developed by Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory, but it was ultimately stalled in its development when Canada licensed it to a pharmaceutical company that failed to develop it for years. There were no approved therapeutics.

Today, we have both vaccines and therapeutics for Ebola. However, the vaccines, while highly effective, are the most expensive in use in global health, and we have highlighted significant challenges in accessing the two Ebola therapeutics in a recent report.

Canada does good work in this space but needs a different approach to its innovation and licensing to ensure that access to medicines in places like several African countries are prioritized for their access and their affordability.

I will conclude by thanking the committee for this study. I'm very happy to answer your questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you very much, Dr. Nickerson.

We will next go to Ms. Nogarède, who is with the Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie.

You have five minutes.

[Marie-Pierre Nogarède, Deputy Executive Director, Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Dear members of the committee, I'm honoured to appear before you today on behalf of the Fondation Paul Gérin‑Lajoie to discuss Canada's approach to Africa. I welcome the committee's initiative to study this theme, particularly in the current context of a growing number of crises.

For 47 years, the Fondation Paul Gérin‑Lajoie has been promoting access to quality equitable education throughout life, guaranteeing every person the means to shape their future and that of our societies, particularly in francophone Africa. Through La Dictée PGL, which has engaged 15 million students and their parents for over 30 years, we are also helping to raise public awareness of Canada's international assistance efforts.

The messages we want you to take away today are as follows.

Education is the most powerful lever for development and stability through its transformative power over individuals and societies; Canada should invest 0.7% of its gross national income in official development assistance, including at least 10% in education; and Canada's strategy in Africa should place education at the forefront, particularly given the socio‑demographic composition of its population.

First, we believe that education is the most powerful tool for maximizing the impact of Canada's investments on the African continent. We believe that education has the power to drive change and to lead to more resilient, fair, peaceful and prosperous societies.

Let me give you a concrete example.

Following the Charlevoix declaration on quality education for girls, adolescent girls and women in developing countries, at the 2018 G7, the Fondation Paul Gérin‑Lajoie, in consortium with the Centre d'étude de coopération internationale, or CECI, and in partnership with local organizations, has implemented an education and vocational training project in the Great Lakes region. Thanks to funding from Global Affairs Canada, thousands of out‑of‑school girls and adolescent girls, including refugees, have entered the school system and the labour market. Through the project, they are studying in schools that are better adapted and safer, where education is of better quality and is delivered in a gender‑sensitive and conflict‑sensitive way. We're seeing an improvement in the social climate in communities where refugee and host populations live together more harmoniously, and where private businesses are being created collectively by both communities.

Second, historically, Canada's commitments, including through its feminist international assistance policy, have positioned Canada as a respected leader in women's rights around the world. However, we recognize that Canada's presence in Africa is still insufficient. With an average of about 0.23% in recent years, Canada's official development assistance remains well below the United Nations target of 0.7% of gross national income, or GNI. As my colleague Denis Côté also mentioned earlier, other countries are meeting their official development assistance targets.

In addition, for several years now, the Canadian government has been investing about 10% of its official development assistance in education, which, in our opinion, must absolutely be maintained and, ideally, increased for such a crucial sector. Achieving these goals is crucial to repositioning Canada as a leader in international solidarity and education. It's also strategically important for Canadian economic, security, and humanitarian interests.

Third, sub‑Saharan Africa has the youngest workforce in the world, and it will be the largest in 2050. Yet the region also has the highest rates of exclusion from education. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, 60% of young people between the ages of 15 and 17 are not in school. This serious lack of access to education hampers the economic development potential of the African continent and makes it even more vulnerable to conflict, political instability and the consequences of climate change.

The people of Africa will shape the future, and the continent's influence will be increasingly important in various global issues. Canada, with its internationally recognized and valued educational models, has historically played a leading role in education in Africa. In this context of demographic explosion, it is crucial that Canada reclaim this role by renewing and increasing its funding for education in African countries.

In conclusion, prioritizing education ensures better use of resources and maximizes the benefits of Canadian investments, public or private, in Africa.

We reaffirm the need to invest more in official development assistance, while maintaining or increasing the education portion. Indeed, Canada must strengthen its support for the African continent, particularly in the area of education, in order to ensure its development and stability.

Thank you for your attention.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Ms. Nogarède.

We next go to Ms. Addleton from Islamic Relief Canada.

You have five minutes.

[Catriona Addleton, Director of International Programs, Islamic Relief Canada]

Good evening.

Thank you for inviting Islamic Relief Canada to partake in this discussion on Africa with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Islamic Relief’s roots began in East Africa in response to the famine in 1984. Over the span of four decades, we continued to work across Africa, implementing humanitarian and development programs, often in the most remote and underserved areas. Africa is a huge continent and a diverse region facing a number of challenges, as well as opportunities.

I would like to use this time to speak to you about an approach to what Canada can invest in, particularly as many of the challenges are compounded by the climate crisis, escalated and protracted conflicts and varied economic growth, to name a few. We must use a holistic approach that continues to focus on resilience building and supports communities in developing and implementing locally driven, inclusive and sustainable policies.

With this in mind, I would like to share a brief anecdote.

During a visit to our operations in Mali, I was struck by a very simple remark. I had several people come up to me and say: “Our communities don’t differentiate needs by the type of response, like emergency, development and peace-building. To us, they’re all needs that have to be addressed.”

This sentiment illustrates the need for a holistic approach, also known as the “triple nexus” approach, particularly in the context of Canadian government investment, including minimizing or reducing the rigidness of financing modalities. I would like to share two examples that outline the type of impact a holistic approach can have.

In Kenya, Islamic Relief implemented a small-scale triple nexus program with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. This program sought to address tensions surrounding resource-based conflicts by developing platforms for dialogue, including peace committees, as well as engaging in livelihood activities and natural resource management support. As a result, the frequency and pattern of conflict between communities has subsided, the peace committee has established a conflict early warning system, looted assets were returned to their owners and cross-community communication was strengthened.

In another example, in South Sudan, Islamic Relief is implementing a transformative multi-year program that seeks to promote gender equality, foster peace and develop resilient livelihoods. Through activities spanning from water and sanitation initiatives to community peace-building efforts and to livelihood inputs and mentorship, the program has yielded positive outcomes, with one rights holder or beneficiary expressing, “Due to peace, we can make progress in each sector or any corner within the community.”

Phase one has had staggering results, including annual income rising more than 200% among target families, a 49% increase in women-owned productive assets, a 44% increase in the number of rights holders able to discuss peace-related topics and an 8% reduction in the number of conflicts over the project duration.

These outcomes underscore the power of well-integrated programs that prioritize human dignity through essential support, a tangible pathway out of poverty and an environment conducive to inclusive participation and prosperity.

With all of this in mind, Islamic Relief Canada recommends, first, that the government increase its funding to Africa. Given the rise in disasters and compounding factors like protracted crises, it's imperative for Canada to escalate its funding efforts.

Second, as part of increasing funding, we recommend that Canada invest more substantively in specifically the triple nexus approach: humanitarian assistance, development and peace-building. We know that sustainable development is reliant on peace, and there can be more effective outcomes when all three are tackled in a well-coordinated manner.

The triple nexus approach has been recommended in multiple evaluations of Canadian country programs, like Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, so it’s time to start making more substantial strides in the triple nexus. This will also involve the need to improve intergovernmental links to accommodate the triple nexus program and, as mentioned, requires a change in the rigidness of the current funding modalities.

Lastly, we recommend that Canada continue to focus on and increase strengthening governance, particularly with local authorities and civil societies within this triple nexus approach. This indirectly supports development pathways for localization and enhances state-society relations. This would also promote the identification and promotion of local solutions to humanitarian and development challenges.

We strongly believe that a Canadian strategy for Africa must include increased funding and support for transformative holistic programs that address the interconnected needs of communities and contribute to a thriving Africa.

Thank you for your time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you very much, Ms. Addleton.

Now we go to questions from the members. We start off with MP Hoback.

You have three minutes.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, witnesses.

We'll have to be very quick because I only have three minutes.

What areas does Canada really excel in when it comes to giving foreign aid? What are some of the areas that we should really prioritize? Do you think a better strategy is to put our fingers in a bunch of little things but really major in nothing?

I'll start off with you, Mr. Nickerson, and I'll move down the table.

[Dr. Jason Nickerson]

Absolutely. I think that there have been very strategic investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights, and that is a long-standing commitment from multiple Canadian governments.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Is that what is required? When you're on the ground, is that the most important thing?

[Dr. Jason Nickerson]

There are massive gaps, no question, so providing focused assistance in that one area has been a real success.

I will say that, from a humanitarian perspective, Canada is a good, principled humanitarian donor in the sense that there's not an attempt to direct the overall activities of humanitarian organizations.

A humanitarian response needs to be based on assessing and responding to needs. That is the way in which Canada approaches humanitarian assistance, and that's a strength.

[Marie-Pierre Nogarède]

We feel that the message has been loud and clear. Canada needs to invest in education. I think Canada has to choose its strategy, or its signature, as Mr. Roy put it when he recently appeared here. Education really has a cross-cutting power over so many other areas: the economy, maternal and child health, the environment, peace, security and so on.

I'll stop there.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I don't mean to be rude; I really don't. It's just such a tight timeline.

Catriona, what do you think about this topic?

[Catriona Addleton]

I agree with what the previous witnesses have also mentioned.

There have been successful strategic investments in women and girls specifically, in a variety of different sectors. There is a need for focused assistance, and it will require Canada to prioritize areas based on available, and hopefully increased, funding.

I would particularly recommend West Africa for some of that increased funding.