Foreign Affairs Committee on March 24th, 2026

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette—Manawan, QC]

Thank you very much.

In a similar vein, which criteria is the Canadian government using today to evaluate the credibility and reliability of the transitional government led by Mr. Al‑Sharaa?

[Stefanie McCollum]

Thank you for your question.

We take note of the announcements and the

public commitments that the government has made.

Much as the ambassador said, the constitutional declaration was opened, a cabinet was named, a national dialogue was established, as was a national commission for justice and missing persons, among other things. Parliamentary elections were held.

We take all that into consideration when we evaluate the intentions of a new government. We also consider the measures established to ensure a safe and stable transition for its citizens.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette—Manawan, QC]

Ambassador, do you have anything to add to Ms. McCollum's answer?

[Gregory Galligan]

Not really. I just want to emphasize that it is important to evaluate Syria's transitional government not just by its words, but also by its deeds. Currently, I feel we have been able to see positive steps. It is certainly not perfect, but in general, the governmental transition is progressing.

We must therefore continue to evaluate the government, but we must do so in the context of all its actions, not just its words.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette—Manawan, QC]

Ambassador, I would like to ask one last question on a matter that my colleagues have raised. President Al‑Sharaa's cabinet has been presented as a reflection of Syria's ethnic and religious diversity.

To what practical extent would you say that the current government represents the major communities in Syria, such as the Alawites, the Kurds, the Druze and the Christians, as Mr. Oliphant said?

[Gregory Galligan]

The truth is that currently, it does not do so enough.

The government is taking steps. I think the creation of the legislative council is a positive step in terms of ensuring regional representation, but it's clear that this has not been.... I don't think it's been a perfect process. It does not reflect the totality of the state just yet. There are still areas that are not represented.

This is particularly true with the Kurds and the Druze in Suwayda because of the security situation. The same goes for women.

There are just not enough women participating in government yet, and that's something we'll continue to push for.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette—Manawan, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you very much.

We go next to MP Michael Chong.

You have five minutes.

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

Thank you, Chair.

I appreciate the opportunity to ask our witnesses some questions today.

My first question concerns Russia and Turkey. Russia maintains military facilities in Syria, as does Turkey. What is the status of those military installations? Are there any discussions about whether those installations remain in place or whether they will be vacated?

[Gregory Galligan]

That's a challenging question for me to answer, because it's something the Syrian transitional government itself is wrestling with.

In terms of relationships, they have a very different relationship with Turkey, a close relationship. They will look at that very differently from the way they evaluate their relationship with Russia.

In the case of Russia, the transitional government has tried to approach the Russian government with a degree of pragmatism. That's partly because, first of all, it's challenging, because certainly the constituency around the transitional government remembers the conduct of the Russian government over the past 10 years in supporting Assad. Idlib was notoriously the site of many aerial attacks. On the other hand, Russia is a Security Council member, and its support is required for items like delisting at the UN and other things.

I think the Syrians are trying to manage that themselves, including what it means for their foreign debt and for other aspects where Russia has equity.

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

Thank you.

Canada severed diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012. Do we have any diplomatic property in Syria? Do we have any diplomatic assets in Syria? If we do, what are they? Also, what are the considerations for re-establishing a diplomatic presence in Syria?

I'm sorry. I should be more clear.

In 2012, Canada closed its diplomatic presence in Syria. I'm wondering whether or not we still have diplomatic assets there. Also, what would be the conditions for reopening those diplomatic assets in Syria?

[Gregory Galligan]

Yes, we do still have diplomatic assets in Syria. In 2012, when we suspended operations, we did retain some of the properties at the time. There is the chancery that is there in Damascus, and there are a few staff quarters that we owned.

In terms of returning to Syria and opening an embassy, that's not something that's being looked at right now. For now, we're really focused on restoring diplomatic relations from Beirut and looking at how we can support Canadians in Syria. The decision around reopening in Syria is not one that's currently being considered.

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

Okay. Thank you.

Thirteen months ago, former prime minister Trudeau appointed Mr. Alghabra as special envoy for Syria, and he also spoke with the interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa.

What is the current government's intent with respect to a special envoy? Also, has any member of the government, has any minister or the Prime Minister, spoken with anyone in the Syrian government?

[Gregory Galligan]

Maybe I'll defer to Ms. McCollum. Those are more Ottawa-based questions.

[Stefanie McCollum]

I can say in terms of the special envoy that, to my knowledge, there are no conversations about appointing another special envoy, certainly at the political level. However, in the department, we have now, as the ambassador mentioned in his speech, a non-resident ambassador for the first time in over a decade who is building those relationships, travelling to Syria regularly and engaging diplomatically.

As for the second question, I can say that Minister Anand did have an introductory phone call with her Syrian counterpart, Minister al-Shaybānī, in December 2025.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you very much.

We next go to MP Steven Guilbeault.

You have five minutes.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you very much for being here, Ambassador and Ms. McCollum.

In your view, which criteria could Canada use in deciding to pursue greater involvement on the ground in Syria, by opening an embassy, for example?

Do you have an evaluation grid to show how that result could be arrived at?

[Gregory Galligan]

Thank you for the question, Mr. Guilbeault.

We do not really have a list of indicators that could lead to the reopening of the embassy.

However, I'd say that if we were going to make the assessment, we'd evaluate it against the objectives of the government and the strategic priorities moving forward. If we were to see, for example, a large number of Canadian companies showing interest in Syria, that might be one indicator. If we were to see large numbers of Canadian tourists travelling to Syria—although that's not currently the travel advice—that might force a re-evaluation in terms of what kinds of consular services we could provide.

No one action or single point will lead to that decision. It's really a combination of factors. However, the decision must also be considered in the light of all the other missions in the region.

We need to decide what the real priorities for Canada are at this point.

[Steven Guilbeault, Liberal, Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC]

Earlier, a number of colleagues spoke about the importance for the government of reflecting the diversity of Syrian society. I am thinking particularly of various minorities who actually are not always minorities. I agree with Mr. Aboultaif on that.

The matter of representation aside, what do you feel to be the criteria needed for more stability in the Syrian state?

[Gregory Galligan]

I often find that the transitional government is very effective in its actions. When it has an idea, it moves quickly to implement it. Examples are the constitution or the national day of dialogue.

What I think is probably needed is a more sustainable process for national reconciliation, so a process that is not just about the constitution. I think the constitution is important. I think representation is important. However, what I think is really required is a sustained effort to rebuild national cohesion, to discuss what actually happened over the last 15 years or more. I mean, the Assad regime was 54 years long. There are deep wounds within the society. I think the government is taking positive steps in terms of appointing committees focused on missing persons—this is a cross-cutting issue that affects all Syrians—and on transitional justice, which is really also about reconciliation.

I think that is going to have to be a very sustained process. This isn't something that's going to be accomplished

in two or five years. I believe that the process should be generational.

It will require symbolism, which I think is important. Steps like making Nowruz a national holiday are very important.

But that's not enough.

It has to be accompanied by actions and a commitment by the government to prioritize this as necessary for national stability and cohesion and ultimately for peace and economic prosperity.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ahmed Hussen]

Thank you.

We'll go next to Gabriel Ste-Marie.

You have two and a half minutes.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette—Manawan, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My next question is along the same lines as the discussion with Mr. Guilbeault.

In your view, what are the main risks that could threaten Syria's political transition in the coming years?

What do you feel Syria needs most from the international community today in order to achieve a sustainable and inclusive transition?

[Gregory Galligan]

I think humanitarian needs are still the most important and humanitarian assistance is needed most in Syria. When 90% of the population is living below the poverty level, it certainly creates a risk. It also creates a risk in terms of social tensions.

I also believe that education, health and governance systems must be rebuilt. Public services in Syria are clearly not very strong at the moment. That is a weakness, and it must change.

The risk is in social cohesion, for sure.

There's no question about that. There are vulnerabilities there. I think this is why, as I previously mentioned, a sustained process of dialogue, reconciliation, will be required.

Also, I think we're going to need to continue to see progress with the constitution and with the legislative process. There is still no parliamentary body. Until that is sitting, it's very difficult for the government to pass new laws and to also, I think, put in place some of the steps it has talked about but has not really been able to execute because of the lack of legislation.

[Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bloc, Joliette—Manawan, QC]

You talked about access to humanitarian assistance. In the northeast of Syria, that's still extremely fragile.

Which concrete measures is Canada taking in order to stabilize and secure those corridors in the northeast?