Foreign Affairs Committee on June 12th, 2024

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

Mr. Horak, I think with my minute and a half I'll ask you a question that I asked one of our witnesses earlier in the week with regard to the Houthis.

We know that the people of Yemen have suffered greatly over the past decade, first with the war, with the Saudi-led coalition that Canada supported politically, which of course led to a terrible humanitarian crisis, and now under the Houthis, who are brutal to civilians. There doesn't seem to be much hope of any change any time soon.

What actions can Canada take that would help the people in Yemen, who have already suffered so much?

[Dennis Horak]

We could do whatever we can to support the Saudi-Yemeni peace talks. That's the start, and to try to solidify those and offer them whatever support we can, but it's tough. The Houthis are very unpleasant. They are feeling emboldened now. Their willingness to make any sort of compromises with the Saudis will be lessened.

I think that, as we always do, it's to make ourselves available “if you need something”, whether it be patrol boats or whatever it might be in the international community to support the international efforts to try to protect the shipping in the Red Sea and coming out of that. Those are the sorts of things we can do.

However, it's very tough at this moment because of the situation—because of the Houthis and how they're feeling. They're on the march, and they're not being rolled back.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you very much. I think that's my minute and a half.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you very much.

That concludes our questions.

Professor Hampson and Mr. Horak, thank you very, very much for your generous commitment of time and for your expertise.

The meeting stands adjourned.