Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 9th, 2023

[Roberto Rodriguez]

I have to recognize that's a tough question to answer.

What I can tell you is that the Congress right now is discussing this matter. They have the opportunity of tackling the issue and resolving this. What I'll tell you is that for the government, in the political area, the main objective is to uphold an early general election. Of all these political and social crises that my country is facing, one of the main demands by the population is to have, as soon as possible, an electoral process.

It's the Congress right now that is working on that. As I mentioned, there are more than seven or eight political parties involved, so the discussions in some way, I presume, are complex. It will take a lot of time and conversation to exhaust all the coordination and work. It is being done right now.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Ambassador, many Peruvians are clearly upset with the state of their democracy.

In a trusted poll done by Vanderbilt University, just 21% of Peruvians are satisfied in their democracy. That's down from 52% a decade ago. A trusted poll shows that the majority of Peruvians support the protests. Clearly, there are challenges with popular support in Peru for democratic institutions. There have been six presidents and three congresses over the last five years. Freedom House has highlighted a pattern of institutional classes between the executive branch and the legislative branch.

My question is very simple. What can the Government of Canada do to assist your government, your country, in helping to stabilize your democratic institutions and helping to restore Peruvians' faith in their democracy? What can the Government of Canada do in terms of support, aid, democratic assistance, those sorts of things?

[Roberto Rodriguez]

First, I would like to underscore something. What you say is true. We've had five presidents in six years, but the important thing here is that democracy works in my country, because this recurring crisis was resolved through the constitutional order. That's something that is very important to take into account.

Regarding what Canada can do to support us, I think that one of our weaknesses is our capacity to manage resources at the regional and local level. That's why there is great frustration within the whole Peruvian population, because what they want is to receive and to be attending to their own demands. Concerning regional governments, local governments and even the central government, when you see public investment and how the investment is working, at the end of the year, instead of 100% of resources, they just use 15% or 20%, so there is no capacity for management.

Enhancing the capacity of the regional governments, the local governments, with the help of other countries that have a lot of experience in doing so would be appreciated.

Also, I believe there's the challenge of communication between political parties. With, let's say, political parties from Canada, like-minded political parties can exchange ideas and criteria. This is a way of giving support, by establishing these positive exchanges of ideas.

I believe in co-operation. In the political area, there is a lot of possibility for co-operation there. In terms of political parties, you have ParlAmericas, which is a very important institution where there is a connectivity between all the parliaments of the region. There's a way in which everyone can work, and the other is the friendship group between Peru and Canada. They can have these close relationships and try to work it out through some exchange of repeating experiences in the political arena. I believe that those are two ways in which Canada could support us.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

We go to the final question for four minutes with Madam Bendayan.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[Member spoke in Spanish]

[English]

I would also like to hear you gentlemen on next steps, how you feel Peru will move forward given the current political context and how you feel Peru might work with international organizations in order to contribute to greater stability in the country.

[Roberto Rodriguez]

Regarding international organizations, as I mentioned, and the current crisis that we're facing, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights visited Peru twice. There's going to be a report, and there's going to be a recommendation that is going to be taken into account by the government. It's the same for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The OAS has been following the situation in my country as well, and Peru has been very open and transparent in participating in that process. Obviously in the bilateral arena, we have been in contact, through our Minister of Foreign Affairs, the deputy minister, with many governments of the region to talk about the current situation.

How is my country going to move forward regarding this? As I mentioned, first of all, this current government prioritizes dialogue and trying to attend to the urgent needs in the many areas of health, education and reactivation of the economy. Second, it will try to have these new electoral processes, which is the only solution that the government sees as a way out of the crisis we're facing right now.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Allow me, if you will, Mr. Ambassador, to pick up on one of the questions of my colleague Mr. Chong with respect to the resignation of multiple presidents in the last few years. From an outsider's perspective—and I appreciate that you have a much better understanding of this situation—it certainly appears as though the power of the executive has been diminished, although the powers of the parliament are quite extensive. I wonder how, politically, you see being able to work through this challenge with respect particularly to the executive branch.

[Roberto Rodriguez]

There is a discussion within Congress to do a reform of the constitution. One of the areas they are thinking about reforming is the political one. It has to do with the situation that you exposed, because there is this possibility to vacate the position of president, but at the same time there is a possibility for the executive to close Congress. There are some articles of the constitution that elaborate on that.

There is an intention by the political parties to make political reforms. It has been said extensively in interviews by different members of Congress, and they are working on that. Because of the crisis we're facing, obviously the main objective right now is to try to figure out how Congress is going to decide whether or not it is possible to have an early electoral process. This is the main discussion they are having right now.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Mr. Chair, do I have a few moments left?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

No, you do not.

[Rachel Bendayan, Liberal, Outremont, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Muchas gracias et bienvenido.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

On that note, your Excellency, allow me to thank you.

[Roberto Rodriguez]

Gracias.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

We all certainly appreciate that your country is going through a challenging period, but we certainly hope that your government and the institutions in Peru will exercise restraint and remain committed to the highest constitutional ideals and will live long.

Thank you.

[Roberto Rodriguez]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

We will suspend for four minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Welcome back, everyone.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, February 2, 2023, the committee is now holding a briefing on the current situation in Peru.

It is my pleasure to welcome, from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Mr. Michael Grant, the assistant deputy minister for the Americas. We also have with us, Mr. Jason Tolland, the director general for South America. Finally, we have Ms. Marie-Christine Dubé the deputy director of the department.

We're very grateful that you made yourselves available for opening remarks. As I'm sure you know full well, you have five minutes.

[Michael Grant, Assistant Deputy Minister, Americas, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Good afternoon, everyone. I very much welcome this opportunity to discuss Peru and Canada's perspectives on the current situation.

For a number of years, Peru has witnessed what can be best described as dynamic politics, at times even volatile. Six presidents in six years is a clear example of that.

However, throughout these challenges, Peru has relied on strong institutions and its constitutional processes have been respected.

The current political crisis was triggered on December 7, 2022, when the president, Pedro Castillo, facing impeachment proceedings, attempted to dissolve Peru's Congress and rule by decree.

In accordance with its constitution, Congress responded by impeaching the president, and executive power was transferred to the vice-president, Dina Boluarte, who became acting president.

From the outset, Canada's position has been clear on two key points.

First, as with the vast majority of the international community, we recognize that the constitutional process had been followed and we deemed the transfer of power to President Boluarte to be legitimate. While a small number of countries have a nuanced position on that, our key like-minded partners and the majority of countries in the hemisphere have also recognized the constitutional legitimacy of President Boluarte.

Second, Canada has repeatedly emphasized the right to peaceful protest, the need to respect both the rule of law and human rights and for security forces to exercise restraint.

On December 17, Minister Joly spoke to Peru's foreign minister Ana Gervasi to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Canadian officials continue to convey this message to all parties as well as in regional and multilateral forums.

Canada has also encouraged efforts for a prompt and transparent investigation of alleged human rights violations.

On January 25, Canada affirmed this message in our recommendations to Peru during their universal periodic review at the UN Human Rights Council.

On January 30, Canada played a key role in achieving regional consensus on an Organization of American States declaration expressing concerns about the use of force by authorities and calling for accountability for human rights violations, a declaration that was supported by all member states of the OAS, including Peru.

Canada also supports and encourages continued collaboration between Peru and international human rights mechanisms, such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, to document and investigate alleged human rights abuses that are linked to the crisis.

The Peruvian government is currently trying to move up the date of the upcoming presidential election and establish a dialogue with the protesters.

As part of its ongoing engagement with Peruvian authorities and civil society, the Government of Canada continues to emphasize the importance of inclusive dialogue, due process and respect for human rights.

This committee’s interest today underscores Canada’s concerns as well as the importance of a key hemispheric relationship.

For many years, Canada and Peru have worked together closely in international fora, in advancing the rule of law and support for democracy and human rights. Our relationship has prospered since our bilateral trade agreement entered into force in 2009. Canadian investments in Peru stand at over $12 billion, and our merchandise exports reached $1 billion, which is a new high.

Our economic partnership has been complemented by investment in people, through our comprehensive development assistance. Since 2012, Canada has provided over $330 million in programming, focusing on empowering women and girls, indigenous communities and, more broadly, capacity building across civil society initiatives.

Our bilateral engagement through the Canada-Peru Parliamentary Friendship Group contributes to this relationship.

In addition, a regional project of ParlAmericas supports a range of issues, such as parliamentary transparency.

The situation in Peru is complex and has been difficult for Peruvians and for the extended Peruvian Canadian community here.

We remain vigilant, connected to our partners in the hemisphere, to the Government of Peru and to Peruvian civil society, and we will continue to work to be a part of the solution.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you very much, Mr. Grant.

We now go to the members.

First up is MP Hoback. You have four minutes.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you for being here this afternoon. With four minutes I don't have a lot of time, so I'll be fast.

First of all, are there any concerns for the safety of our staff, our people on the ground in Peru?

[Michael Grant]

Our staff in Peru and in other places where there are crises are always of uppermost importance.

Today, no, we haven't had too many concerns. There have been some days when staff had to remain in their residences rather than travel to the embassy, as the location around the embassy has seen protests. We take the utmost caution when it comes to our staff.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Do you feel the requests we're making to the Peruvian government to show restraint in how they handle protesters is being listened to and respected?

[Michael Grant]

As I mentioned in my remarks, from the outset with our engagement with the Government of Peru, we have been clear on the importance of police and other security authorities exercising restraint. We believe that the Government of Peru has heard this and has listened, and we believe they are moving in the right direction.

The protests have been chaotic. They've taken place in many different locations. They have unfolded differently. In some instances, it would appear, based on some of the allegations, there may have been some police acting on their own recourse, perhaps not receiving command and control, but we will continue to emphasize that it's the responsibility of the Government of Peru to ensure that excessive force is not used.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

The upcoming election remains to be called. Will Canada have observer status in regard to that? How do you see maintaining peace during the election period?

[Michael Grant]

We have a good tradition in Peru and in the hemisphere of supporting elections. There's an organization in the OAS that coordinates hemisphere contributions. We have provided funding in the past.

In my recollection of the last few elections in Peru, I haven't seen international observers. It could very well be the case this time, and I think Canada has a strong tradition of participating when that does happen.