Foreign Affairs Committee on Nov. 21st, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 128 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format. I'd like to remind all members, as well as the witnesses, to please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. If anyone's joining us virtually, please do feel free to raise your hand.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motions adopted by the committee on Monday, January 31, 2022, and Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the committee is resuming a briefing on the current situation in Haiti.

I'd now like to welcome our witnesses.

We're very grateful to have with us Ms. Shalini Anand, who is assistant deputy minister for the Americas branch at GAC. We have Mr. Sébastien Beaulieu back. He's the director general of emergency management, legal and consular affairs branch. We also have Ms. Sylvie Bédard, who's the director general for Central America and the Caribbean.

As I understand it, Ms. Anand will be doing the opening remarks.

Ms. Anand, the floor is yours. You have five minutes.

[Shalini Anand, Assistant Deputy Minister, Americas Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development]

Thank you.

Today I will be presenting an overview of the situation in Haiti and Canada's response.

Canada continues to take a comprehensive approach to this complex and evolving crisis by supporting Haitian security sector actors to reduce violence; by supporting the transitional government in restoring democratic institutions; by fighting corruption and human rights abuses; and finally, by alleviating suffering and supporting socio-economic recovery.

On the humanitarian front, gang violence has displaced over 700,000 Haitians, resulting in unprecedented instability and significant strain on vital resources, including severe food shortages and limited health care access. The World Food Programme reports that eight million Haitians urgently need food assistance and 125,946 children are acutely malnourished. Furthermore, there is a troubling rise in the exploitation of children by armed gangs, notably by forced recruitment into the gangs. The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is escalating, with UN statistics showing an increase of over 1,000% in 2024 compared with the previous year. Additionally, the Dominican Republic's ongoing deportations of undocumented Haitians threaten to worsen the humanitarian crisis.

Haiti faces significant challenges in holding elections by February 2026, the agreed-upon date. Taking things back, in March 2024 transitional Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in the context of escalating gang violence and a prolonged political deadlock. A nine-person transitional presidential council, or TPC, was set up in April to guide Haiti towards democracy and improve security. The TPC installed Garry Conille as the transition Prime Minister on May 28 of this year. Some initial progress was made, including the appointment of a provisional electoral council. Nevertheless, the overall transition process has been complex, hampered by accusations of corruption against three members of the TPC as well as increasing tensions between members and the sectors they represent. On November 10 of this year, the TPC replaced Prime Minister Conille with now Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who installed his new cabinet on November 16.

Efforts to restore security have been led by the Haitian National Police, supported by the Kenyan-led multinational security support mission, or MSSM. They have been in place since June 2024. Despite the bravery shown by these joint forces, gang violence unfortunately continues to escalate. Last week three commercial flights were hit by bullets as they landed in Port-au-Prince, leading to the closure of the international airport and the indefinite suspension of commercial flights. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has prohibited all U.S. civilian flights to Haiti until at least December 15. This follows a period of increased violence, including a horrific massacre that claimed the lives of 115 people.

Canada has been working very hard to mobilize additional international support for the MSSM. Working with CARICOM, we have also engaged intensively with the transitional authorities, the TPC, to overcome some of the political impasses that have threatened this transition. Canada has committed more than $400 million in international assistance to Haiti since 2022, and is the largest contributor to the MSSM after the United States, having contributed $86.2 million.

We have been advising Canadians to avoid all travel to Haiti for more than two years now. The latest travel advisory update, on November 18, highlighted the closure of the airport in Port-Au-Prince and the suspension of flights by international airlines. Canadians in Haiti are of course encouraged to call the embassy of Canada in Port-au-Prince, which remains operational, or to reach out by phone, email or text to our emergency watch and response centre in Ottawa, which operates 24-7.

We are in constant communication with our ambassador and his security team in monitoring the security situation in the country. Security measures and a strict movement protocol are in place.

Our teams on the ground in Port‑au‑Prince are backing our diplomatic commitment, providing essential security and performing consular functions.

I would like to thank the committee members for their attention and engagement on this important and fast-evolving issue. Thank you all for having us.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you very much, Ms. Anand.

We will now start off with our first round of questioning. Each member will be provided six minutes for the first round and we start off with MP Epp.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the witnesses for appearing today.

Canada is a country of law and order and by all accounts, from what we're hearing, unfortunately Haiti, or at least the part of it under gang rule, is not. This committee has undertaken a study of the effectiveness of our sanctions regime and last June the minister imposed further sanctions on Haitian gang leaders.

Can you talk about whether those sanctions have been effective? Are we seeing any effect? Do the Haitian gang leaders have some assets or trade or interests in Canada where these sanctions might be effective?

[Shalini Anand]

I will begin and then I will turn to my colleague, Sylvie Bédard.

I will simply note that part of our four pillars of engagement in Haiti includes a fight against impunity, and indeed one of the things that Canada has done has been to impose 31 autonomous sanctions against gang members and political leaders with either corruption or gang affiliations.

I will turn to Sylvie to give a little bit more detail on the sanctions situation.

[Sylvie Bédard, Director General, Central America and Caribbean, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development]

Mr. Chair, as my colleague said, sanctions are one of the tools we use as part of our Canadian response in Haiti. Many reports published by experts from the UN Sanctions Committee reveal the extent to which the sanctions imposed under the Canadian and U.S. autonomous regimes, as well as UN sanctions, have brought about changes in the behaviour of political and economic elites in Haiti.

The Haitians with whom we're in regular contact tell us they're definitely seeing that the elites now think first before getting involved in corrupt acts.

However, sanctions aren't effective if used in isolation. We have to continue supporting traditional governance bodies as they transition.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Thank you.

In your testimony, Ms. Anand, you referenced that the Dominican Republic has repatriated, basically, the undocumented back to Haiti. The incoming U.S. President has also announced that he will revoke Haitian temporary protected status in the U.S.

Are we, the CBSA and our government, preparing to receive more Haitian refugees, and if so, can you outline those preparations?

[Shalini Anand]

Mr. Chair, I will start with the part on the Dominican Republic and then move on to the other two parts of the question.

Canada is very concerned about the welfare of those being deported and the destabilizing impacts in Haiti of the decision of the Dominican Republic. That being said, it is also important to recognize the impact that the Haitian crisis has had on the Dominican Republic and the support that the Dominican Republic has provided to date to Haitian migrants, especially in the education and health sectors. We want to acknowledge that.

We are working very closely with our regional partners and through international organizations like the International Organization for Migration, or IOM, to reduce irregular migration and ensure lawful migration pathways where human rights, safety and dignity of all deportees are in compliance with international human rights obligations. That is on the question about the DR.

On the United States, Mr. Chair, I am not in a position to speculate on what the position of the new Trump administration on Haiti will be.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Can you talk about Canada's preparations?

[Shalini Anand]

I would simply note that for the time being, from the perspective of our IRCC, what they have done is they have a temporary program, and I'm not sure if I have the name at my fingertips, but the IRCC has opted to extend the temporary program that they have for Haitian permanent residents until 2025.

In terms of CBSA preparations, I do not have information at my fingertips, so I would have to defer to CBSA colleagues.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Thank you.

In your response, you referred to “irregular migration”. I come from an area of the country that has a very innovative sector, and 12,000 to 15,000 temporary foreign workers are here through a great program. However, we also have an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 irregular, undocumented individuals in my home region.

What is the CBSA doing to prevent another Roxham Road? I can declare, through personal interviews in my hometown, that some of those undocumented individuals have come through that avenue. What are the preparations for that not occurring again?

[Shalini Anand]

Mr. Chair, we are doing our best to ensure colleagues take a whole-of-government approach, are conscious of these types of potential challenges and have appropriate contingency plans.

As to the CBSA's preparations, I would have to defer to colleagues at the CBSA. I'm happy to come back to the honourable member in writing, with his support.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Could you table that with the committee?

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

We next go to MP Chatel.

You have six minutes.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Welcome to the witnesses.

The situation is absolutely devastating. I'm thinking in particular of the women and children, who are often the first victims of these wars, these dramatic situations.

Thank you very much for your work and for what you're doing. It's extremely important. We have a large Haitian diaspora, especially in Quebec, all of whom are greatly affected by the situation in Haiti.

We've closely monitored the situation, and we're proud to be here to support humanitarian aid.

You said that we've invested $400 million in aid to Haiti since 2002 and that we are the number two contributor, after the United States, to the Multinational Security Support Mission, or MSSM, in Haiti. It's important to emphasize that.

Would you please tell me how that aid is actually being used on the ground?

[Shalini Anand]

Mr. Chair, I'm happy to speak about that. Then I will turn to my colleague Sylvie, in case she has anything further to add on the situation.

Indeed, we have spent $400 million since 2022. Canada has long been investing in and supporting Haiti on the humanitarian front. Before we give detailed examples of the results of that important aid work, I will note, from a broader strategic perspective, the way Canada is operating in Haiti. It is with a view to undertaking a very comprehensive approach to the support we are providing.

We have a four-pillar strategy to address the crisis.

First, as the honourable member noted, we have contributed, from a security perspective, to the MSSM with a view to underlaying and bolstering support for the Haitian National Police, in order to ensure the solution remains Haitian-led.

Second, from a democratic principles perspective, we have invested a lot of diplomatic time, energy and funds to ensure there is a pathway to free and fair elections by February 2026.

Third, we have invested in the fight against impunity, including through sanctions.

Finally, we have looked at both humanitarian aid and development aid. There are a few terrific examples, particularly in the area of support for women and children.

I will turn to my colleague, who can give you some of those examples.

[Sylvie Bédard]

Yes, no one can remain indifferent to the catastrophic situation in which Haiti and Haitians currently find themselves.

Allow me to give you a few examples of the aid that's being provided locally.

Every day, 400,000 children receive meals as a result of Canada's contribution to the world food programme.

The schools are currently closed in Port-au-Prince as a result of the security situation there. However, the children wind up in the displaced persons camps. In some instances, those same schools are being used as displaced persons camps. The daily meals for children are also delivered to the displaced persons camps when the schools are closed. There are also tens of millions—

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

It would be great if you could send us those examples in writing.

My speaking time is flying by, but I'm dying to ask this question. The situation in Haiti is terrible right now, but there's also been a lot of talk about a potential peacekeeping mission. I'd really like you to tell us more about that mission, which is apparently supported by 70% of Haitians.

What form would that mission take and what would Canada's role be?

[Shalini Anand]

We are in continual discussions for a possible peacekeeping mission. It is our understanding that discussions to date have not led to a successful UN vote in support of a peacekeeping mission, so that has led us to work through a temporary workaround solution, which is what we have done using the UN trust.

We have helped fund and found the multinational security support mission in Haiti. That is the avenue we are presently working through, but we are continuing discussions to see if we can advance progress on a potential peacekeeping mission. We continue to plug in with allies, and discuss that possibility.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

I would have liked to know if there were any obstacles, but I'm out of time.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, MP Chatel.

We now go to MP Trudel.

[Denis Trudel, Bloc, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for being here, Ms. Anand.

I am the member for Longueuil—Saint‑Hubert, where we have a large Haitian community. I believe that 87% of the Canadian Haitian community currently live in Quebec, and many members of that community have settled in Longueuil.

In the spring, I gathered together nine Haitian women of various statuses. They have been here for two, three, even five years with one or two of their children, having left two or three more behind. Given the present situation, that was awful for them. They obviously left their children with their grandmothers in a remote village partly populated by armed gangs. I prepared a file, which I submitted toMinister Miller. It was very complicated, but we managed to repatriate three children of those three women. Six cases are still outstanding.

I have a very specific question for you. Even through all these efforts, one fact has been clear to us. You said that our embassy was open in Haiti.

We already had a visa office in Haiti, but we don't know whether it's open or closed. I'm talking about the visa office in Port-au-Prince.

Is it open or closed?

[Shalini Anand]

At present, our office in Port-au-Prince does remain open. I believe we still have IRCC staff, as well as consular staff, offering essential services through that mission.

[Denis Trudel, Bloc, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

A week or two ago, we met with people from the Haitian community in Montreal. There was a celebration onSamedi midi inter, a Montreal radio station very popular with the Haitian community. People from the community were there and they're obviously very concerned about what's happening in Haiti.

Is Global Affairs Canada working with the Haitian community? Are you conducting consultations? Are you discussing potential solutions with people from the community?

The people obviously seemed concerned, but they felt the government wasn't doing enough. People in the community may not be aware enough of the measures we're taking. They seemed to be saying that Canada isn't doing enough. They asked us what the House of Commons was doing to improve the present situation, which is terrible.

Are you consulting people in the communities across Canada, and more specifically in Quebec, to raise awareness of the solutions that people in the Haitian community who live here have in mind?

[Shalini Anand]

In short, yes, we consult actively. Global Affairs Canada is committed to strengthening its exchanges with members of the Haitian diaspora. We often seek their views on Canada's involvement in Haiti and on ideas for solutions. Our continued engagement with the Haitian diaspora here and with Haitian people helped underpin the foundations of our strategy to ensure that the solutions we are pursuing in Haiti are Haitian-led and Haitian-owned solutions.

In addition to ministerial involvement—and I will give an example of that in a moment—GAC does plan regular exchanges with immigrant integration organizations, Haitian churches and international aid partners. We also have political dialogue advocacy organizations and Haitian student organizations that we've consulted, among others.

Most recently, in mid-October, Minister Joly and Minister Hussen hosted a round table discussion in Montreal with members of the diaspora community. I should note that Canada's current ambassador to Haiti, André François Giroux, meets regularly with representatives of the Haitian diaspora in Canada as well.

We are quite conscious of the diaspora numbers. Our data show 165,000 people in Canada. They form a diverse and influential network that we actively seek to engage to ensure that their perspectives are reflected in the solutions that we develop.