Evidence of meeting #88 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 gaza.
A video is available from Parliament.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I would say that we find this type of rhetoric very concerning, counterproductive and opposite to the hope we collectively have to bring down the temperature and find a middle ground that will eventually lead to a political process.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Has there been a formal complaint? Will there be a formal complaint about such language?
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I don't know what you mean by “formal complaint”, but diplomats and government officials talk all the time. Yes, we do convey our views of such—
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I can't speak about private diplomatic conversations. I can't go into the details of those. I can tell you that when we hear outrageous or provocative comments, we do have ways of conveying our disagreement with them.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Well, it would perhaps be useful to have those in a public statement that could be made by the minister.
Mr. Beaulieu, I do have one question for you. I feel we've left you out a little bit.
There are serious risks about this conflict spreading throughout the region. We know how difficult it has been to get Canadians out of Gaza. Thank you to all of the officials who have worked so hard to make that happen. I hope you will continue to do that work.
If this does expand into Lebanon, what is Canada's plan? Right now, we have hundreds of thousands of Canadian Lebanese who would—
Sébastien Beaulieu
We have detailed emergency planning, working with our missions in Beirut, obviously. We also give clear advice to Canadians to avoid travel to Lebanon.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
Thank you very much. That concludes our questioning.
We're very grateful to Mr. Lévêque and Mr. Beaulieu. We're grateful that you made the time and you shared your perspective with us.
This meeting stands adjourned.