Foreign Affairs Committee on June 12th, 2024

Evidence of meeting #114 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was terrorism.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and Current Situation in Iran

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Farzin Nadimi Senior Fellow, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, As an Individual

Kasra Aarabi Director of IRGC Research, United Against Nuclear Iran

Fen Osler Hampson Chancellor's Professor and Professor, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, As an Individual

Dennis Horak Retired Canadian Diplomat, As an Individual

6:25 p.m.

NDP

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?

6:25 p.m.

Retired Canadian Diplomat, As an Individual

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.

6:30 p.m.

NDP

Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

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

6:30 p.m.

Liberal

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.