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.
6:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi
I'm sorry. I'm going to have to cut you off right now.
We will go to MP McPherson. You have six minutes.
6:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you very much.
I would like to thank the witnesses for coming to testify and sharing information with us today.
I'm going to try to get through a number of questions, because we only have you for a very short amount of time.
How many arms export and brokering permits to Israel have been authorized by your department since October 7?
6:20 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
To my knowledge, there have been none.
6:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I asked your colleagues nearly two months ago if they could tell the committee whether Canadian military goods or technology, including components, are used by Israel in this current war. From what I understand from your answer to Mr. Bergeron, you're not able to answer whether that's accurate.
6:20 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
To the best of my knowledge, the answer would be no.
6:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
What about components for the F-35s that Israel is using in Gaza?
6:20 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I would not be able to answer that.
6:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Canada manufactures components that then go to the United States and onwards to Israel, but these are unregulated and untracked, from my understanding.
Is the government's position that Canada should continue arming Israel at this time? If so, how does that reconcile with Canada's obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty?
6:20 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
As I said to your colleague a minute ago, every request for an export permit for military or dual use is assessed on its own merits and on a case-by-case basis.
6:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
As my colleague also asked, has GAC reviewed its assessment on export permits to Israel in light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the situation in the West Bank since October 7?
6:20 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Yes, the same answer would apply. That's not to avoid.... It really is genuine. It's not an across-the-board review. Every request would be reassessed on its own merit, including regarding the end user.
6:25 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Can you please provide that assessment to the committee?
6:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I will, with pleasure.
6:25 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Thank you.
I would like to also ask some questions following up on Mr. Chong's question and Mr. Bergeron's question.
As you've made very clear, you're unable to provide or declare whether or not something has been a war crime or a crime against humanity. Certainly, what we saw the terrorist group Hamas do is, in my opinion, very clearly that, but I understand the legal standards.
However, if the government is unable to make that assessment, it does feel very much like the Government of Canada is playing a spoiler with regard to the International Criminal Court.
My question is this: Does the government continue to oppose the International Criminal Court's investigation into the situation in Palestine, and if so, on what basis?
6:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I would like to first try to clarify, because I haven't had a chance to finish on this. You used a term that I would like to pick up on, which is “legal standards”. We are not suggesting that horrible crimes, murders and—
6:25 p.m.
NDP
6:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Exactly.
6:25 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I'm asking about Canada's support for the ICC, the International Criminal Court. Does Canada support the International Criminal Court investigations into war crimes committed by both sides in Palestine?
6:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Do you mean as part of the current conflict?
6:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
We of course do support the International Criminal Court. We support independent prosecutors and investigators. There are technicalities when it comes to anything that refers to the state of Palestine, because Canada's official policy does not recognize Palestine as being an independent state, other than—
6:25 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Of course, it is a signatory to the statute, so the ICC recognizes it.
6:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Right—but other than that nuance, yes, we are firm supporters of the ICC.
6:25 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Does the Government of Canada oppose an ICC investigation into alleged war crimes or crimes against humanity and genocide committed by Hamas?
6:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
I'm not able to answer that question. I feel like there's a technicality there. I wouldn't want to lead you astray.