Foreign Affairs Committee on March 20th, 2024

Evidence of meeting #99 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 ukraine.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Briefing on the Current Situation in Haiti

Canada's Diplomatic Capacity

Briefing on the war in Ukraine

International Disability-Inclusive Education

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Excellency Yuliya Kovaliv Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada

Sylvie Bédard Director General, Central America and Caribbean, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

Sébastien Beaulieu Director General and Chief Security Officer, Security and Emergency Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Thank you very much for that.

You spoke about meeting and speaking with Haitians and making sure they are at the centre of the solutions for Haiti right now, and about how important it is that we are listening to them. History has shown us that there isn't a solution when it is not centred on Haitians.

We know we have an enormous Haitian community in Canada, of Canadian Haitians, particularly in Montreal. La Maison d'Haïti is one of the organizations.

Have you been speaking to Haitian Canadians? What are you hearing from them on what they would like to see the Canadian government do more of?

6:45 p.m.

Director General, Central America and Caribbean, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

Sylvie Bédard

Prime Minister Trudeau and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, have done a lot of work with members of the Haitian community in Canada. They've been listening to that community.

Earlier I said that one of our guiding principles in all aspects of our response to the situation in Haiti is to continue to listen to Haitians. That also includes members of the Haitian diaspora in Canada.

In Haiti, we are in constant contact with Haitian representatives, ensuring that they are as diverse as possible. In particular, we are in contact with representatives of the various political groups, as well as representatives of religious groups, including the Vodou, Catholic and Protestant communities, among others, and representatives of civil society, young people, women's groups and girls' groups. This great diversity of Haitian perspectives is what's shaping Canada's response at this time.

6:45 p.m.

NDP

Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB

Thank you very much.

6:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Ali Ehsassi

That concludes questions by members.

Allow me to thank you all for having made an appearance on, essentially, short notice. We're very grateful for your insights and perspectives on this issue.

We will now go in camera for committee business. There are only 10 minutes remaining. As you know, resources are only available until seven o'clock, but we'll try to switch over as soon as possible.

[Proceedings continue in camera]