Foreign Affairs Committee on Jan. 27th, 2026

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

Okay, I’ll go first.

I’m a pragmatic kind of guy. I have a corporate background, and I can tell you that right now, our government has an interest in Africa.

Six months ago, I would have had some questions about that because of the urgent nature of the situation as the president south of the border was pushing our country very hard. The Indo-Pacific, Europe and North America had taken precedence over any conversation about Africa. I personally had the opportunity to call out the government on that.

Now, I can say the government has shown renewed engagement on the issue of Africa recently, and I believe that’s important.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

That started six months ago.

How many missions to Africa has Mr. Carney undertaken since he was elected?

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

I’ll tell you about two actual ones. The first one was on peace and security in Egypt and the second one was the G20 meeting in South Africa. He may undertake more, but for now, I think the Prime Minister has had much more—

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Then there hasn’t been any bilateral meeting, unlike—

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

None so far on the continent.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Okay. That’s incredible.

Canada’s Africa strategy was released a year behind schedule, just before the election was called.

Can the department tell the committee about the timing of this release? I think the department is working on a daily basis. Can someone tell us why it chose that timing to release the Africa strategy?

[Ryan Clark]

Chair, I wouldn't be able to comment on the government's decision for the timing of the release of the strategy.

I could say that officials, including Susan, myself and Ben Marc, spent a considerable amount of time consulting and talking with partners in establishing the strategy and were quite happy when it was released.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

I have previously had the opportunity to take part in missions to Cameroon, Rwanda and Kenya. Obviously, I met many people from civil society, elected officials and NGOs on these visits, of course, and they told us they felt Canada’s presence on the ground is not what it used to be. I’m not a fan of Jean Chrétien, as you know, but all the same, he was interested in strengthening ties with Africa.

What is happening now is that people on the ground in Africa are telling us—and I’m not making this up—that they definitely feel Canada’s presence has diminished compared to what it once was.

Will the release of a 20-page document on the Africa strategy really…. Furthermore, the last page, page 20, is for taking notes, so the document is really 19 pages.

Are we really going to reassure people on the ground in Africa with a 19-page document on the Africa strategy?

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

Thank you for your question, honourable member.

I have personally faced all sorts of criticisms from the general public and the diaspora with respect to the intensity or relevance of this strategy. Regardless of whether or not it was released at the right time, I always say that the strategy was the starting point for a conversation to build real bridges between Canada and the 54 countries in Africa.

I believe a strategy is not a catch-all. This strategy was released after three or four years of work. Consultations took place. I had some with the ministers of finance and of energy, and some sectors of the community and the diaspora worked on finding common ground. I’m very pleased with what has been achieved so far, but a strategy is not a catch-all, it’s a starting point for action. That’s where we are right now.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

I agree with you. The continent does have more countries—54—than all the other continents. Even so, there hasn’t been any bilateral visit between Canada and one of these countries, unfortunately.

That said, we can’t also ignore the Carney government’s new vision of international co-operation. We’ve been told that international co-operation must be tied to the economy, while at the same time reducing the international assistance budget.

Do we really think we will meet our goals in Canada’s Africa strategy while reducing the international assistance budget? Do you really think that, Your Excellency, yes or no?

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

Canada is not the only country that has reduced development investment.

I want to point out a second thing: Africans no longer expect development assistance. They expect investment. What we’re doing now is trying to find the link to transition from investments in development to economic co-operation. That’s what African Union member countries are calling for now.

I don’t believe the real action is happening in the debate over development budget cuts right now. I think that instead, people are looking to balance the resources that have been available until now and transition them into investments for the benefit of African countries and Canada.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

What you are telling us is that Africa no longer has any expectations with respect to international assistance.

That said, a number of NGOs on the ground in Africa are telling us the opposite, but that’s your perspective, and I respect it.

I’m not running out of time Mr. Chair, am I? This is a very interesting conversation.

What you’re telling me is that because other countries are cutting their international assistance budgets, it is entirely logical for Canada to do the same thing. That’s my understanding of your position, Canada’s representative.

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

No, you should not interpret my answer that way, honourable member. I wanted to say—

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

We now proceed to the second round of questions, beginning with MP Michael Chong.

You have five minutes.

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

Thank you to our witnesses for appearing in front of us today. I have a couple of quick questions.

You, sir, were appointed to be Canada's special envoy for Africa. Prior to that, you were appointed to be Canada's permanent observer to the African Union.

Can you tell our committee how many locally engaged staff and how many permanent Canadian staff you have employed to support you in your work?

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

I have one CBS, a Canada-based employee. I have one, let's say, political adviser, who is the locally engaged staff, and that's it.

The other part of my team is from Ottawa. I have to rely on the team in Ottawa to help me do my job. Also, with the team on the ground, we have the heads of mission around the continent. That's the way we're operating right now.

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

The government has said it wants to establish a high commission in Zambia and an embassy in Benin.

What progress has been made on these two commitments?

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

I’ll start, and then I’ll turn it over to my colleague Mr. Clark.

These two countries are important for Africa at this particular time. Zambia is important because of its geographic location and all the investments. I know this committee has an interest in supply chain and industrialization issues. Zambia is a central hub.

Benin, on the other hand, is in the West African region, and geographically, this is a port region. The country also has a degree of democratic stability. It neighbours countries in the ASS, the Alliance of Sahel States. I believe having these two countries is an asset.

I’ll let my colleague Mr. Clark jump in.

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

Do you have anything to add?

[Susan Steffen, Director General, West Africa and Maghreb Bureau, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development]

What I can add to that is that with big decisions like this, it takes some time to put all the ducks in order, but we're looking very much forward to opening our embassy in Benin in short order. I believe it's the case in Zambia as well.

I know my colleague can tell you a little more about Zambia.

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

I assume “in short order” means sometime this year.

I have another couple of quick questions.

The Africa strategy references a high-level trade mission to Africa to prioritize innovation, critical minerals and infrastructure. When is this trade mission to take place?

[Ben Marc Diendéré]

Do you want me to jump in?

[Susan Steffen]

Please, go ahead.