Foreign Affairs committee  I can give you a high-level overview, but I'd be happy to follow it with more precision, if you like, afterward. From what I understand, once the sanctions announcements are made or approved by consensus—and they're made at the EU level—they are applicable in all the member states.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for the question. Of course, the government always welcomes the discussions of the committees and the parliamentary committees and the evaluation and information that are shared with us. When we receive recommendations from committees, of course we very seriously review and assess them.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Chair. The more time there is, of course, the more helpful it is to find more information. Open-source reliable information can be hard to find in certain circumstances, so the more time there is, of course, the better it is for us in terms of a straight and deep evaluation of the situation at hand.

Foreign Affairs committee  In certain circumstances, it can be very difficult to find information, as I mentioned, in terms of what is available. Also in terms of engagement with internal partners and in government, or with outside partners internationally, having more time is always very useful. Forty days could be difficult in certain circumstances.

Foreign Affairs committee  From experience, when there's dissolution, when they're in caretaker mode, every decision is considered and is framed by the convention that applies during that period, so it's difficult for us to do the same breadth of work in terms of ensuring that only those things that are essential go forward.

Foreign Affairs committee  Shall I just go ahead, Mr. Chair?

Foreign Affairs committee  The Canada financial crime agency that you mentioned was flagged in the last budget. It is under the leadership of Public Safety Canada.

Foreign Affairs committee  At the moment, Public Safety is leading the way on that issue.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much. As noted, it will depend a lot. It is difficult to do them in short timelines, but it will depend a lot on ongoing circumstances.

Foreign Affairs committee  Yes, and it is often very much related to the availability of credible, reliable, open-source information on a specific situation or on a specific person or entity as well.

Foreign Affairs committee  Regulatory processes in Canada are generally a longer process. For a typical non-sanctions issue, they often take many months. In the case of sanctions, it varies. There is a recognition by the government of the urgency of taking action in many instances, so there's no set time.

Foreign Affairs committee  In terms of our sanctions tools in Canada, the legislation defines clearly under what types of circumstances what types of actions can be taken by Canada. Once we receive information, or once we have information that is provided to us by others, we take a very close look and do a rigorous assessment of what the best approach to address the issue is and which sanctions tool or other diplomatic tool is best appropriate in the circumstances at hand.

Foreign Affairs committee  As noted, all the steps would have to be followed regardless. Often, in terms of the information at hand, when we receive information, we have to continue and deepen that information to search for more in order to be able to assess. Timing will vary. The other aspect that is also one we consider in terms of the timelines to announcing sanctions is the importance of protecting information before the sanctions are announced to ensure there is no opportunity for the people or entities that will be designated to take action.