Foreign Affairs committee  I apologize, but could you please clarify your question?

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much for the question. Oxfam operates by applying the basic humanitarian principles of complete independence, neutrality and impartiality, and by responding to the needs of the most vulnerable. Obviously, we work in government-controlled regions, but displaced persons cross borders and enter occupied territories not controlled by governments.

Foreign Affairs committee  It's not about giving anyone carte blanche; however, I think that exceptions should be made for humanitarian actors. The current reality on the ground is that the sanctions are stifling the economy and therefore directly hurting people. Merchants and all those who profit in any way always find a way around those sanctions.

Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members of the committee, my name is André Charlebois, humanitarian project manager at Oxfam-Québec. Throughout its 50-year existence, Oxfam had dedicated itself to fighting inequality and ending poverty. Oxfam-Québec and Oxfam Canada are members of the Oxfam International confederation, comprising 21 affiliate members.