Debates of May 31st, 2021

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development—Main Estimates, 2021-22

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, I am now going to ask some questions of the Minister of International Trade.

I have spent many years working to ensure that Canadian companies working abroad uphold Canadian values of fairness and justice. Of course, I was understandably excited when the government established the CORE ombudsperson. However, I was also understandably devastated when we learned that once again the Liberal government had betrayed not just Canadians' trust, but the trust of people around the world whose lives and livelihoods are threatened by Canadian companies.

I am certain the minister is aware that the office currently does not have the power to compel documents and testimony from Canadian companies, despite the fact that the government made a promise to the contrary.

It has been three and a half years since the government announced the CORE ombudsperson role. How many cases has the CORE ombudsperson resolved?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Minister of Small Business]

Mr. Chair, I want to thank the hon. member for her advocacy on this issue.

We are very proud to have appointed the first-ever Canadian ombudsperson for responsible enterprise. In budget in 2021, we quadrupled the CORE's annual funding going forward. As she has testified at committee, she has the tools and resources necessary to ensure that companies are upholding their high standards for responsible business.

We will continue to work with the CORE to support her in working with Canadian enterprises so they indeed are Canadian companies that bear high ethical standards operating in Canada as well as around the world.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, what is the CORE's annual budget?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, maybe I can find that and get it to the member in the next answer.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, I would like to clarify that I know the answer to the question, but there are zero cases that the CORE has actually resolved. Since you announced the CORE three and a half years ago, there have been zero cases. Therefore, when you can share the amount that we have now paid for zero cases to be resolved, that would be great.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

I would ask the hon. member to direct her questions through the Chair.

The hon. minister.

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, yes, I will endeavour to get the member that number.

It was very good that the ombudsperson was able to launch her inquiry line, and that was done very recently. Of course, during this pandemic, to get staffed up and put her operation in place was slightly delayed, but her work is up and running. We have full confidence in the work that—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, even Harper had a similar office in place that had no power to compel testimony or documents, called the National Contact Point.

How is the CORE position under this government different than under the Harper Conservatives?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, under the CORE, first, it is the first-ever ombudsperson and she does have the tools and resources to carry out her function. She is able to report independently. She is able to launch investigations independently. Upon her recommendation, we can withhold from companies a—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, is the minister aware that a witness testified when we did a study at the international human rights subcommittee? Is she aware that a witness who testified on the CORE's study has had her life threatened and has been placed in grave danger as a result of her testimony in the House of Commons?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, that is absolutely unacceptable. Our government champions human rights and defends them at home and abroad. We expect Canadian companies operating anywhere in the world to be fulfilling their ethical, responsible business conduct and to stand up for human rights wherever they work. Being a Canadian company that bears the good reputation—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, does the minister feel that Canada has an obligation—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

We will just take a pause here for a moment. I will stop the clock momentarily.

I might suggest that the hon. minister may be able to see my image on her screen. I can give her a cue as to when we are at time so she can finish up her remarks. We will give that try.

The hon. member for Edmonton Strathcona for her next question.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, does the minister feel that Canada has an obligation to protect and support witnesses who testify before parliamentarians?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, all witnesses who come before committees absolutely should feel free to provide the testimony as they do before our parliamentary committees.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, could the minister tell me how she proposes to protect this witness?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

Mr. Chair, that matter is appropriate for the committees. They are operated for parliamentarians, by parliamentarians, and that would be the appropriate place.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, in February 2020, the Liberal government announced that it would develop a coherent feminist foreign policy. Our global allies are increasingly moving toward a single approach consisting of interrelated and mutually reinforcing agendas of trade, international diplomacy, co-operation and peacekeeping. However, Canada has proven to be a wholly unreliable global partner, and we saw the results when we lost our bid for a UN Security Council seat.

Is there a political commitment within the government to outline a decisive and coherent foreign policy that combines all areas of trade, diplomacy, co-operation and peacekeeping? If so, when can we expect the consultations to begin?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Mr. Chair, Canada is very proud that it has a foreign feminist policy. In fact, we will be delivering a white paper fairly shortly, after a great deal of consultation. We are one of the countries leading the world on feminist foreign policy. Sweden was the first and we were essentially the second. Now a number of other countries are also embarking on it, such as France, Mexico and Luxembourg.

We are very proud of what we have done, and I look forward to the release of the white paper shortly. Then I would be happy to take questions from my colleague.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Mr. Chair, the ministry indeed triggered consultations for a white paper on feminist foreign policy, but it is only looking at diplomacy and international assistance components. Are there plans to commence a broader process on feminist foreign policy? If so, when can we expect this to happen?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

Mr. Chair, there are also examples in the area of peacekeeping, such as the Elsie initiative. We are a country that has an ambassador for women, peace and security. We are very proud of the multi-functional approach we are taking to foreign feminist policy.