Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 9th, 2023

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

You talked about institution building, and you talked about the areas that you've been working on, which I agree with.

In the whole region, we're starting to see the institutions being undermined by lots of governments. It's not just what's happened in Peru, but we're seeing it in other areas.

Do you think Canada needs to spend more money building up the actual institutions of government and maybe a little less around NGOs and civil society?

[Michael Grant]

I would agree that we've seen, in recent years, strains on democratic governance in many places in the hemisphere. I think Canada's engagement, first and foremost, with citizens, with civil society, to ensure they understand their rights, that they have capacity to engage, is primordial.

In terms of direct assistance to governments in building their institutions, I think that could be explored in terms of additional assistance.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Have we set aside funding for that in the last six years? Has there been a priority towards building institutions within the region, compared to other priorities?

[Michael Grant]

Yes. Global Affairs Canada does have a program of technical assistance, and some of that has been used in the hemisphere in terms of supporting—

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

What would its budget be?

[Michael Grant]

I don't have that figure in front of me.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Would you bring that to the table?

[Michael Grant]

Absolutely.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I'm just curious. When you look at the countries that are not on our side, those are also countries that have institutions that are starting to be undermined. Is that fair to say?

[Michael Grant]

I don't know if I would characterize countries as being on our side or not on our side. We have—

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I mean countries that don't share our opinion. How about if I put it that way?

[Michael Grant]

From a Canadian perspective, I think we lead with our values and our principles. First among those, I would say, is a deep belief in democracy and democratic institutions.

From the perspective of Global Affairs in the hemisphere, we are engaging with a range of actors, whether they are elected officials, public servants or civil society. If there are opportunities for us to share Canadian experiences with all of those, we'll take advantage of it. Sometimes it comes through programming and sometimes it comes through people-to-people exchanges, including with parliamentarians, which we think is a very key aspect of that.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I assume I'm out of time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Yes, you're out of time.

We now go to Mr. Sidhu for four minutes.

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Madam Dubé, Mr. Grant and Mr. Tolland, for joining us here today.

I know Canadians are deeply concerned by the events and the situation currently unfolding in Peru, so today's testimony is greatly appreciated.

I want to know more from you, Mr. Grant, or any of the witnesses here, in terms of the situation on the ground.

What were you hearing from the mission yesterday, this week and last week about more recent events? Can you go into some more details there?

[Michael Grant]

As you can imagine, we receive daily reports from the mission on the security situation. As I said earlier, our first priority is really the safety and security of Canadians—those at the mission and any Canadians who may be in the country.

The situation has evolved quite a bit since December. Yes, there have been days when the protests have been quite robust and other days when it's been quite quiet. It's almost on a daily basis that the mission, under the authority of the ambassador, needs to take a decision about whether they are going into the embassy. If protests are planned around the embassy, we will be very cautious and keep people at home.

I think in recent days it's been relatively quieter, but there is a significant amount of vigilance to be ready in case there are protests that may disrupt their daily activities.

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Thank you for that.

Can you speak to the committee in terms of the steps that Canada is taking to ensure or assist in a free and fair transparent election whenever that happens?

[Michael Grant]

As I mentioned earlier, Canada has a strong tradition of supporting elections and democratic processes. The Organization of American States has within it the unit that is specifically mandated to support not just the elections themselves but electoral institutions. Canada is a key funder of that organization.

We have had a history of supporting that agency financially. When elections are called, I am sure there will be a program and there will be a request for assistance that we'll look at, at that time.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, I would not be surprised if, in the next elections, there is a request for international observers. Canada has had a strong tradition of doing that in the region as well. It is something we would look at positively.

[Maninder Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton East, ON]

Thank you for that.

I know I have only about a minute left.

Can anybody here explain what you foresee coming up with the current situation?

[Michael Grant]

It's very difficult to predict. I think you heard from the ambassador that efforts are under way by the government to advance elections a bit further. I believe they see it as a key way to address some of the concerns of the protesters, and they are trying to engage the protesters themselves. We applaud those efforts. We think it's important for dialogue.

In terms of the next steps, far be it for me to predict which way it's going to go within the constitution. We will continue to insist that all efforts need to be made for dialogue, from both the government and those who are protesting. At the same time, we'll continue to work with our partners in the region, including through the OAS, to call for that level of dialogue.

There have been differences of opinion from different countries within the hemisphere, but I think the resolution that was passed on January 30 was a very important sign. It showed that there was unity that the situation needed to be resolved peacefully, calling on the government to investigate any human rights abuses and indeed calling for a peaceful way forward.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you very much.

We will now go to Ms. Sinclair-Desgagné. You'll be happy to know you have four minutes this time.

Good luck.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My questions are pretty specific.

Apart from Minister Joly's call with President Boluarte, has the Government of Canada taken any other action?

[Michael Grant]

Yes, there has been some.

Canada's Ambassador to Peru Louis Marcotte, who is on the ground, speaks regularly with Peruvian leaders and the foreign minister. My colleague and I also have direct discussions with our counterparts in Lima.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Regarding Canada's role in the Organization of American States, do you think Canada plays a significant enough role and could have a positive effect on Peru, given that Canada stands out as an example of democratic institutions?

[Michael Grant]

I believe so, yes.

The resolution adopted on January 30 is a good example. There was a need for common text, and Canada played a key role in Peru and with some countries to help reach an agreement.