Foreign Affairs Committee on Nov. 2nd, 2022

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I want to pick up where the NDP member left off. That's where I struggle.

When I'm talking to some ambassadors, one of the comments they make to me is that when they're in a situation of normalcy, the programs we offer out of Canada are good programs. However, when they get into a situation of the kind we have in Pakistan, the programs still have the same requirements as they do during normalcy.

How do you take a scenario and say, “We're going to do this project”, when actually all you need is food, water, medications, the bare essentials, to get these people through the crisis? Why can't you take those funds from existing programs in the short term to immediately respond in that way? What's holding you back?

[Zeina Osman]

That's a great question.

In the case of our private funders, we are able to quickly decide, and we do move, based on a needs assessment, to an emergency response immediately. Although we try to have a multiphased response in place, luckily for us we're working in a lot of these regions already, so some of the project work we do is pretty easy to shift and change to make sure we're meeting the needs with regard to food and health and water.

However, when it comes to government funding, it isn't that simple to be able to shift some of the funding to an emergency response. It will have to be a question for the government, really, about some of their funding models in programs and projects.

We certainly are in support of a lot of flexibility to be able to have the autonomy to make the decisions to move funds where necessary, for sure.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I've run out of time. I'm sorry. I'll turn it over to Mr. Genuis.

[Zeina Osman]

It's no problem. Thanks.

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

Thank you for the rest of your time.

As we approach the end of the meeting, Mr. Chair, I want to move a motion that I have on notice. I don't think it's a controversial one. It reads as follows:

That the committee report to the House that it calls on the Government of Canada to fix the barriers that are preventing vital humanitarian aid from getting into Afghanistan, and ask the government to provide the committee with regular written updates on its progress and intended timelines.

This follows some testimony that we've heard as part of this study as well as concerns about the information that we're getting from other sources.

I want to move that motion now. Hopefully, we'll be able to move it forward quickly.

Thank you, Chair.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

I'm looking for clarification from the clerk, because this meeting is on Haiti and Pakistan. I just wonder if it is within scope to bring a motion that I don't believe was circulated to committee members or put on notice. I could be wrong—

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

It was on notice.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Yes.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

It is in order?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

It is in order because 48 hours’ notice was provided.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Go ahead, Mr. Zuberi.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I'd like to amend the motion.

I think the motion is really good and positive. The heart of it is exactly what we should be pursuing. I would just suggest that we remove the reporting portion towards the end of the motion.

Otherwise, this is good. This is where we should be going as a committee.

I move that amendment, which would strike out that last portion as defined.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

I'm sorry. Just for greater clarity, what are you removing?

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I don't actually have the text of the motion in front of me. It's the last portion, which makes reference to the reporting. Otherwise, keep the whole thing intact as is. The heart of it is what we should be doing.

Essentially it's from the comma onward.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

There's no reporting in the statement.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

It talks about “regular written updates”.

[A voice]

Well, that's reasonable.

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

I'm sorry. You want to take out “regular written updates”?

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Yes. We would keep, “That the committee report to the House that it calls on the Government of Canada to fix the barriers”—that's excellent—“that are preventing vital humanitarian aid”—I think we can all agree to that—“from getting into Afghanistan”, and then we would put a period there.

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

Mr. Chair, on a point of order, just because of the time, if we're able to adopt the amendment to the motion unanimously, I'm willing to accept that. I know that we're up against time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

If members agree, just in terms of the valuable time of the two witnesses who have been with us for the last hour, I can think we can release them, so to speak.

Thank you for the incredible work you're doing and thank you for the expertise you've shared with us today. Thank you very much for everything you're doing.

Go ahead, Mr. Genuis.

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

Mr. Chair, in the interest of time, I will accept Mr. Zuberi's amendment if we can adopt the amendment and the motion unanimously.

The amendment, as I understand it, is to remove all of the words after the word “Afghanistan”. I'm happy to accept that so that we can bring this to a landing.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Just for those members who may not have a copy of the motion as amended, it now reads:

That the committee report to the House that it calls on the Government of Canada to fix the barriers that are preventing vital humanitarian aid from getting into Afghanistan.

Do we want to put it to a vote—

[Hedy Fry, Liberal, Vancouver Centre, BC]

Yes.