Questions on the Order Paper  Budget 2021 proposed that Canada dedicate $288 million over three years, 2021-24, to further respond to this humanitarian crisis, encourage positive political developments, ensure accountability for the crimes committed, and enhance international co-operation. This investment is part of Canada’s ongoing efforts to address the evolving crisis in Myanmar and the ongoing refugee crisis in Bangladesh. In response to (d), Canada first imposed sanctions in relation to Myanmar under the special economic measures, Burma, regulations, on December 13, 2007, in order to respond to the gravity of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, which threatened peace and security in the region.

Petitions  They are calling on the House of Commons to impose sanctions against the State Administration Council of Myanmar and to form a subcommittee under the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development to monitor, study and report human rights violations there. They would also like the House to condemn the fatal shootings and arrests of the people who oppose the military coup and to support all non-violent movements in Myanmar and Canada that are against the coup.

Business of Supply  We have stood up for marginalized populations, and we have worked with our allies to hold several regimes accountable for their actions, including Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Iran, Belarus, China and Myanmar. We have also been strong proponents of digital inclusion and press freedom. The recent diversion and forced landing of a commercial airliner in Belarus reminds us that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Public Safety committee  It's important to differentiate between the practice of a religion through Sunday worship, for instance, and religious fundamentalism, which exists in all of the world's major monotheistic religions, whether it be Islam, Christianity or Buddhism, as Mr. Gurski mentioned. In Myanmar, the terrorists are Buddhists, thank you very much. I don't think those categories are adequate because they fail to take into account the fact that fundamentalism, whether it be Catholic, Christian or what have you, is closely associated with far-right political movements.

Foreign Affairs committee  Authority over Myanmar's governance has been sized by the commander-in-chief, and a state of emergency has been declared. The Tatmadaw claims that it had to take control over Myanmar's governance, alleging large-scale election fraud in the November 2020 election.

Foreign Affairs committee  Surely there's something that can be done about it that would not only solve that problem but also prevent Canada and Canadians from in fact supporting the economic enterprises of the military in Myanmar, who are capable of doing what we've seen in the last couple of months but also throughout their history in Myanmar. Is that not something that could be part of a strategy to sanction the Myanmar military for their activities and hopefully lead to a change in that country?

Petitions  They want the government to take actions against the Myanmar military and call for the repeal of an unlawfully declared state of emergency and respect the November 2020 election. The petitioners also call for an immediate law barring Canadian businesses from exporting arms and technologies to Myanmar and to put forward to the General Assembly of the United Nations a resolution calling for member states to address the long-term threat to peace and stability in Myanmar.

Foreign Affairs committee  As I may have indicated earlier, prior to the coup Canada already had in place one of the most comprehensive sanctions regimes on Myanmar as compared to like-minded partners, including the EU, the U.K. and the U.S. As I indicated earlier, prior to the coup Canada had already sanctioned two of the largest military conglomerates, Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited, as well as 42 other entities affiliated with the military.

Foreign Affairs committee  Chair. Thank you to our witnesses for appearing. We know that the military junta fired Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations, and we know that Myanmar's ambassador to the United Kingdom was recently recalled. What is the status of Myanmar's ambassador to Canada?

Foreign Affairs committee  The Embassy of Myanmar remains operational. We are in regular contact. They are in a challenging situation, but to date, they are responding to instructions from their foreign ministry in Myanmar.

Foreign Affairs committee  Is there any effort being made to ensure that we do not contribute to the financial success and assets of the Myanmar military through support from Canada's pension funds—not only the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board but other huge investment boards in Canada—as part of that? Is that a part of the sanctions that Canada is intending to exercise against the Myanmar government or military?

Foreign Affairs committee  Does that mean there are some efforts at hand to deal with the Canadian funds being invested in the kinds of businesses that are helping to strengthen the military in Myanmar on an ongoing basis? Is Canada going to do anything about Canadian investment funds that are investing in that? The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation have been identified as multinational companies partnering with the Myanmar military or Tatmadaw.

Foreign Affairs committee  Clearly, Canadian companies continue to make significant deals with members of the Myanmar military junta.

Petitions  They are calling for further study by Parliament, for clear condemnation of violence and for support from the Government of Canada for the various non-violent movements in Myanmar and Canada that are highlighting the issues around the military coup. I thank all those who have signed, and various members of the various communities who have been very active in highlighting the situation there.

Foreign Affairs committee  As I stated earlier, we have very robust sanctions in place against Myanmar under SEMA. We also have a single individual of the Myanmar military, Maung Maung Soe, who is listed under the JVCFOA or Canada's Magnitsky sanctions. We are constantly looking at the best mechanisms in order to capture the intent of our foreign policy objectives with respect to sanctions, and as of now, have determined that the best way of achieving that is through our existing measures related to SEMA.