Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2026

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Good afternoon, everyone. I call the meeting to order.

Welcome to meeting number 20 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Pursuant to the motion adopted by the committee on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the committee is studying the subject matter of clauses 460 to 462 in division 27 of Bill C-15, an act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.

Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders. Members are attending in person in the room and can also attend remotely using the Zoom application.

I would now like to welcome our witnesses for the first hour. We have the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Welcome, Minister.

From the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, we have Robert Brookfield, director general, sanctions and strategic export controls; Joya Donnelly, director general, northeast Asia bureau; Jason LaTorre, director general, North American bureau; and Stefanie McCollum, director general, Middle East bureau.

Up to five minutes will be given for opening remarks, after which we will proceed with rounds of questions.

I now invite Minister Anand to make an opening statement.

Welcome.

[The Hon. Anita Anand, Liberal, Anita Anand]

Mr. Chair, members of the committee,

thank you so much for the opportunity to appear before you today regarding limited amendments to the Export and Import Permits Act as part of Bill C-15.

We have heard how fast global disruptions can move. Canada needs the tools to be able to act quickly. These two succinct amendments to the EIPA would give the government new tools to protect the economy and ensure that we are protected from supply chain shocks that could harm Canadian jobs, supply chains and access to essential goods. Namely, they would grant the government the ability to act in cases of economic coercion.

I want to emphasize that these items would not create new controls. They wouldn't remove oversight or consultation. They would simply create a new statutory authority to develop controls in the future—a future that Canada will increasingly need in order to defend and protect our economic sovereignty.

Before providing context regarding Canada's new foreign policy approach, I will address two particular issues on which Canada is currently engaged.

First, Canada stands with the people of Iran as they exercise their right to protest against the brutality of the Iranian regime. Iran's brutal repression against its own people must end. Thousands of people have been injured or killed by the regime, including at least one Canadian. Canada listed the IRGC as a terrorist entity more than 18 months ago. Last week the European Union did the same. I can also tell you today that, in addition to the almost 500 sanctions we have imposed against entities and individuals, we are continuing to work on this important issue. In particular, I am working to impose additional sanctions against the Iranian entities and individuals for violations of international peace and security and human rights violations.

I would also like to talk about the situation in Haiti.

Canada condemns any action that would further destabilize Haiti and undermine the safety of the Haitian people.

I continue to call on all members of the transitional presidential council to respect the agreed end of their mandate, which is February 7, and the right of the Haitian people to free and fair elections.

I have measures ready to be implemented if the members of the transitional council do not respect their commitments and the rights of the Haitian people.

This is the moment when we must confront the world as it is, not the world as we wish it to be, and adapt our diplomacy and foreign policy accordingly. Our approach is guided by three pillars: first, building a strong and resilient domestic economy with the goal of doubling non-U.S. trade over the next decade; second, protecting Canadian sovereignty, including through strategic investments and partnerships in defence and security; and third, upholding our principles and our values, including international law and international humanitarian law. From Ukraine to Greenland to Iran and beyond, Canada stands for international law and international human rights.

These three objectives are not mutually exclusive. That is to say that none is more important than the other. We pursue them together. That is why our foreign policy is best described as principled pragmatism.

International engagement does not mean agreement on everything. It means a willingness to work together, even when there is disagreement.

Canada remains firmly committed to human rights, democracy, inclusion, including gender equality, and the rule of law.

These values guide how we choose to engage and the issues on which we do so.

This means rejecting the false binary that if we cannot agree on everything internationally, we cannot agree on anything. Engagement doesn't always mean agreement. We are not forced to choose between advancing our economic and security interests and upholding our values. This is principled pragmatism, and this is Canada's foreign policy in 2026.

I will end by saying that a strong domestic economy expands the list of things that Canada has. Indeed, these are things the world widely wants. It attracts investments, strengthens resilience and gives us leverage to have a strong domestic economy. Stronger at home means stronger abroad and the ability to resist economic coercion. It means we are better able to negotiate from a position of strength.

The amendments we are discussing today would add to Canada's robust tool kit, providing an extra layer of security. Prosperity, too, is a choice. It is built patiently and deliberately by societies that invest in resilience, openness and their place in the world. That is the choice Canada is making and one we will continue to make at home and abroad with partners around the world.

It is within this global context that our new government is putting forward the limited amendments to the Export and Import Permits Act. I look forward to responding to questions from members on these measures.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you very much, Minister, for your remarks.

I will now open the floor for questions, beginning with MP Ziad Aboultaif.

You have six minutes.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Thank you, Minister, for appearing with your team at the committee. Recognizing the protesters in Iran and the freedom of the Iranian people is the right thing to do. It's the least we can do as a country in support of their call for freedom and for finishing the dictatorship regime they've been experiencing for decades.

Minister, you said these new measures are not new controls, but you feel somehow that an economic security designation is needed for the export and import control list.

Why are those economic security measures needed, and how do you anticipate them being used?

[The Hon. Anita Anand, Liberal, Anita Anand]

Thank you for the question.

I would start by saying that these powers could help us respond to foreign acts that undermine security. It's another tool in our tool box to address international economic issues.

The bill does not immediately create new controls but gives the power to develop them in the future. The tools seek to protect jobs and supply chains or to respond to economic coercion, so it's another tool we can use to respond to external threats.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Thank you, Minister.

You never answered my question. How do you anticipate the new measures being used?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

The work we are doing now is to provide protections in the future. These authorities would be used only if necessary and on a case-by-case basis. The tools we are proposing would enable monitoring, limiting, directing or collecting information on imports and exports. Any action would require a cost-benefit analysis, and we would be examining all risks before utilizing these tools.

I will say that global disruptions occur quickly, and Canada needs tools to be able to act just as quickly. These amendments would provide the government with tools to protect our economy from foreign actions and supply chain shocks that could harm Canadian jobs, supply chains and access to essential goods. It's responsible for us to be putting in place these measures.

We very much hope the opposition will support us in these measures.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Minister, there must be something that happened which led you to come up with these provisions. Can you be specific about which industry you think most begs the question of why we need to come up with these measures?

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

The key point I want to make in response to this question is that it would be imprudent to speculate on all the wide-ranging hypothetical possibilities that could be presented to us in the future in a rapidly shifting and dynamic global environment.

The work we are doing now is to lay the foundation in providing the government with tools should the need arise. We are always engaged in scenario planning, and this is a constant activity undertaken by my officials, including those here with us today.

It would be imprudent for me to speculate on particular hypotheticals, but this is very much about protecting our economic security. I know that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the House of Commons care about the future of our country, economic security and protecting supply chains.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Minister, I'm not questioning the measure. You're talking about hypothetical scenarios, but there must be a fundamental reason we're doing this. Is there a specific industry? I would like to hear your answer to that. I think it would be beneficial. There has to be a logic behind such an improvement on the current system, if you call it an improvement. You're not calling it a new protocol.

It would be nice if you would share those fundamentals with us. It would be great for the committee to hear that.

[Anita Anand, Liberal, Oakville East, ON]

I would say, in answer to my honourable colleague's question, that all industries need to be protected in an uncertain global environment. We have seen the global trading system completely rewired, and therefore, we want the tools at our disposal to respond to the needs of all sectors of the economy should that need arise.

As I said, should the need arise, we will take a very careful risk-benefit analysis. We want to make sure we have the tools in our tool box to protect the domestic economy, to co-operate with other countries and to respond to systemic shocks, should they arise.

[Ziad Aboultaif, Conservative, Edmonton Manning, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you very much.

We next go to MP Mona Fortier.

You have six minutes.

[The Hon. Mona Fortier, Liberal, Mona Fortier]

Thank you very much, Minister.

Thank you, Minister, for being with us today.

Clearly, the subject of this meeting is important to us, because the exercise we’re doing today will allow us to move on to the next step in passing the budget that’s before us. We also know very well that this budget will allow us to make further progress. We know that this exercise is an examination of the more concrete clauses that the Standing Committee on Finance has asked us to review. That’s the first exercise.

Secondly, I believe—you might be able to confirm this—that the measures had been introduced a little over a year ago in the fall economic statement. However, the instruments proposed died on the Order Paper. We know, then, that this is not the first time the government has looked at these tools and considered them as necessary instruments. In addition, we continue to have global disruptions that are evolving rapidly. As you said—I think it needs to be repeated—Canada must have these tools. They will allow us to act and to be more flexible so we can respond to situations more quickly.

As we know very well and are often told, there is a lot of bureaucracy. However, we now need to find tools that will help us to be more flexible. I believe that's what you're offering us today.

Can you tell us about these new powers?

Why are they necessary, in addition to the controls we have in place now under the Export and Import Permits Act?

Can you explain why we need these new powers?

[The Hon. Anita Anand, Liberal, Anita Anand]

Thank you very much for the question.

Firstly, this is not the first time we’ve considered such measures. That’s very clear.

Secondly, Japan, Germany, the United States and the European Union, among other entities, have adopted economic security strategies to protect their interests against foreign threats. It is responsible to have measures like that to respond to systemic shocks and economic shocks. It's about building the supply chains our industries need throughout our domestic economy. That is clear.

In addition, the proposed amendments would expand existing powers to allow Canada to control certain imports and exports in response to actions taken abroad.

As I mentioned with respect to shocks, there may be situations and times when we haven’t anticipated the shocks that may occur. What do we do then? We need to have in place the legal measures that allow us to act using the necessary means, which our allies have already decided to adopt.

That’s why we’re here. I hope the opposition will support us.

[The Hon. Mona Fortier, Liberal, Mona Fortier]

I agree. We’re seeking their support to keep moving forward. Thank you for that response.

You mentioned twice, in your opening remarks and in your last response, the issue of economic security.

Can you tell us what economic security means to the government?

[The Hon. Anita Anand, Liberal, Anita Anand]

It must be understood that this is a very difficult time for the global economy. We’re seeing more demonstrations of unilateralism and protectionism. This suggests a very different world order than what we had before.

We need to be flexible with our tools, and we need multiple ways to respond to different situations. It’s not just a matter of diplomacy or a single minister. It’s about our government and our country. We need to work together to ensure that we implement the necessary measures.

The bill concerning our imports and exports will allow that. It’s a very limited measure, but it’s very important. Our domestic economy must be protected.

[The Hon. Mona Fortier, Liberal, Mona Fortier]

Thank you for defining economic security. I think it's important for those following today's proceedings.

This is also important for us, so we can work on terms we can rally around. I think you’ve described the issue of economic security well.

Unfortunately, my speaking time is already up. I want to thank you again for being with us today and for the leadership you’ve provided.

You mentioned Haiti. This week is a turning point for Haiti. I hope that we’ll be able to continue working very hard on Canada’s position concerning Haiti.

[The Hon. Anita Anand, Liberal, Anita Anand]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you very much.

Next, we go to Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe.

Mr. Brunelle‑Duceppe, you have the floor for six minutes.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Minister, I welcome you to the committee.

You spoke about human rights in your opening remarks. How do the clauses we’re discussing today ensure a better balance between protecting Canada’s economic interests and its responsibilities with respect to human rights and international security?

[The Hon. Anita Anand, Liberal, Anita Anand]

I’d like to start by reiterating that it’s necessary to understand the three pillars of our foreign policy. There are not just one or two pillars. We must continue to uphold our principles and values, such as international law—

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

Excuse me, Minister.

[The Hon. Anita Anand, Liberal, Anita Anand]

—and, at the same time, to build the domestic economy.

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

I’m talking about the clauses.