Debates of May 31st, 2021

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

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, I thank the minister for her answer, and I would like to ask her the following question.

We know Canada received a certain number of vaccine doses from the global COVAX supply. We also know Canada ordered huge numbers of doses from suppliers, much more than it needs to vaccinate the Canadian population.

I would like the minister to tell us what Canada's plan is for sharing those doses with countries that are in dire need, such as developing countries. As Dr. Tam said, nobody will be protected until everybody is protected.

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Madam Chair, again, I thank my hon. colleague for his question.

This is a very important issue. Canada is, of course, committed to ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines around the world. That is precisely why Canada was one of the founders of the COVAX mechanism a year ago, investing the initial $25 million. Since then, we have been one of its biggest funders, having injected more than $350 million to enable COVAX to purchase vaccines.

As the Prime Minister said this past December, once Canada finds itself with surplus vaccine, it will distribute doses to the rest of the world. I could say more, but the Chair is signalling that I am out of time.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, I will give the minister the opportunity to continue her response by simply asking her by what mechanism and in what way does the government intend to allow for the redistribution of surplus doses to developing nations?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for the opportunity to respond. We are not there yet, but certainly we will support the COVAX system. As I mentioned, Canada was involved in establishing the mechanism and we really believe that it is the best mechanism for vaccine distribution and redistribution.

In addition, Canada donated $5 million to establish a vaccine exchange mechanism within the COVAX system. We will absolutely support and promote this mechanism.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, we will be very happy to hear all about how the government plans to distribute these surplus doses. According to the minister, we do not seem to be at that point yet.

Just three out of 15 programs have had a budget increase. One such budget is the statutory item, which increased by $400,000 compared to last year, going from $500,000 in 2020-21 to $900,000 in 2021-22.

How does she explain this increase and are we to expect bills to be introduced in the coming year?

[Karina Gould, Liberal, Burlington, ON]

Madam Chair, I have to confirm with officials at Global Affairs Canada on that question, since it is very specific. I can get back to the House with an answer.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, in the main estimates, 2021-22, the government plans to invest $30,000 in the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. However, that amount has not changed since 2014-15, when Stephen Harper's government was in power.

The current government claims that indigenous issues are very important, so why has it not yet indexed this amount?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Minister of Foreign Affairs]

Madam Chair, I can answer that very specific question my colleague asked, but it is quite clear that our government has shown an unprecedented commitment to reconciliation with indigenous peoples. We have allocated billions of dollars to help with various needs of our indigenous peoples.

Our government is determined to proceed with reconciliation with our indigenous peoples in many areas.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, on April 9, 2020, the former minister of foreign affairs and the then minister of finance announced the creation of an advisory panel of independent experts to review best practices in arms exports of states party to the Arms Trade Treaty to ensure that export controls were as robust as possible.

When the acting director general of export controls at Global Affairs Canada appeared before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in October 2020, she said that the group would be tasked with evaluating permits at several committee meetings. Many witnesses with expertise in the matter told us that no action had been undertaken by Global Affairs Canada and the minister's office to set up this advisory panel of independent experts.

Where do things stand now?

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

Madam Chair, on the general question of arms exports, that is an extremely serious topic, and I personally take it very seriously, since I am the one who signs off on exporting arms.

I want to assure my colleague that, as he knows, we have signed on to the Arms Trade Treaty, which has a strong focus on human rights. This is a responsibility that I take extremely seriously. We are working with various groups to ensure that the regime in place will guarantee that we will not grant permits if there is a risk of human rights violations.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, it has been more than a year after this announcement, and the advisory panel has not yet been established.

Can the minister assure us that this group will be set up as soon as possible given its importance and its relevance in the current context?

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

Madam Chair, I thank my colleague for his question.

I will definitely get back to him.

My colleague mentioned that this commitment was made by my predecessor, and I will look into it.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, in September 2020, 39 civil society organizations complained that they were excluded from the process of creating the advisory panel of experts, and that no details had trickled down after the minister's announcement in April 2020. These organizations sent the Prime Minister of Canada a letter to inform him of their displeasure, but this letter has gone unanswered.

Has the government launched this consultation process?

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

Madam Chair, our government pledged to implement a more transparent and robust arms export system. That is why we became a party to the Arms Trade Treaty. Canada has one of the best control systems in the world, and respect for human rights is enshrined in our legislation on the control of this type of export. We are in contact with various groups to ensure that the terms and conditions of this arms export system are the best for Canada.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, we can certainly expect the minister to take into consideration the views of the groups that expressed an interest in participating in the process. Unfortunately, there was no indication to that effect in his response.

However, the minister said that the Canadian system is among the most robust. The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development heard about a certain number of issues early in the process, before exportation, and downstream after the sales. We discovered that some countries check afterwards, but Canada does not.

What are the minister's intentions in this regard?

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

Madam Chair, I think our recent decision on the export of arms to Turkey demonstrates very clearly that we are keeping a close eye on what we consider to be violations of arms export agreements.

First, my predecessor temporarily suspended such exports last fall. I subsequently made the decision to revoke certain arms export permits to Turkey.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, perhaps we will get some supplementary answers later.

I would now like to discuss a matter of concern to one of my constituents, Ms. Durocher. Her daughter Nathalie Morin has been stuck in Saudi Arabia for nearly 20 years. Ms. Morin recently went to the Canadian embassy. According to her mother and the support group, she went there to confirm that she and her children wish to return to Canada. However, the Canadian authorities claim that she went there to confirm that she wants to stay in Saudi Arabia and close her consular file.

Who is telling the truth?

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

Madam Chair, what I can say is that the Government of Canada remains actively engaged in Nathalie Morin's file. Consular officials are following the case closely and are ready to provide consular assistance.

We will remain proactive in helping Ms. Morin. Due to the provisions of the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, I am astounded by the minister's answer because departmental authorities have said Ms. Morin's consular file is now closed.

How can the minister tell the House that consular protection activities are still available to Ms. Morin?

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

Madam Chair, when we have citizens abroad, their files are always open.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Madam Chair, I am pleased to hear the minister say that Ms. Morin's consular file is still open.

Now I would like to talk about Taiwan.

Canada is a proud champion of multilateralism. It advocates for an approach based on collaboration among all members of the international community. As such, and considering Taiwan's proper pandemic management, certain measures are called for.

People's Republic of China authorities are blocking access to vaccines. What is the government going to do to ensure Taiwan gets access to vaccines?

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

Madam Chair, to answer the first part of the member's question, Canada continues to support Taiwan's significant participation at international multilateral forums, where it makes an important contribution. We are Taiwan's ally. We have a relationship between our peoples, we are trading partners, and we believe that Taiwan's observer status at the World Health Organization is deserved because it can contribute important information.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

Madam Chair, I would like to ask some questions to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on some significant matters, starting with what has arisen in the Middle East with Israel and Palestine in the last number of weeks, where there has been serious escalation. The government put out a statement saying that Canada will always stand ready to support efforts for a two-state solution.

Does the minister not agree Canada needs to do more than just stand by and we need to actually take action and have an active approach to provide pressure and build the foundations for peace between Israel and Palestine?

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

Madam Chair, I agree with my colleague. Yes, it is one thing to say we favour the two-state solution, but we must proactively try to help in that direction. This morning, I spoke with the foreign minister of Egypt and the foreign minister of Jordan. I have spoken to the foreign minister of the United States. I have spoken to the foreign minister of Israel as well as the foreign minister for the Palestinian authority in Canada, who has said it is hoping to be able to help toward a long-term solution, the two-state solution.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

Madam Chair, it offers some encouragement the minister is actively involved, but he does see, I presume, that by standing by until there is an agreement really just supports the status quo and incentivizes the Government of Israel to pursue policies of annexation, of occupation, and further diminishes the rights and increasingly marginalizes the Palestinian people. Would he not agree with that?