Minister of Foreign Affairs appearance before the Committee of the Whole – Briefing material

2021-05-31

Table of contents

1. Scenario note
2. Opening statement and speeches
3. Critics biographies
4. Question Period monitoring
5. 2021-2022 Main Estimates overview

Issue notes

1. Afghanistan
2. Arbitrary Detention Initiative
3. Arctic sovereignty
4. Arms exports
   1. Export controls - General
   2. Saudi Arabia – Export controls and LAVs
   3. Production of papers
   4. Turkey - Export controls
5. Belarus - Including arms exports
6. Cameroon
7. China
   1. 5G Review
   2. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
   3. CanSino vaccine
   4. Belt and Road Initiative
   5. China consular cases
   6. Hong Kong
   7. Bilateral military training with China
   8. Meng Wanzhou arrest and U.S. extradition request
   9. Procurement of physical security equipment (Nuctech)
   10. Regional maritime tensions
   11. Taiwan
   12. Tibet
   13. Import Prohibition on Goods Produced by Forced Labour
   14. Forced labour (global supply chains)
   15. Uyghurs and forced labour
   16. Visa Application Centres
   17. Canadian advocacy on the consular cases of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor
8. Consular cases involving Canadian citizens abroad
9. COVID-19
   1. Impact of COVID-19 on human rights
   2. Impact of COVID-19 on democracy
   3. International assistance – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
   4. PPE and medical supplies global market support
   5. COVID-19 repatriation efforts
   6. World Health Organization (WHO)
   7. COVID-19 travel restrictions
   8. COVID-19 vaccines (incl. COVAX)
10. Cuba
11. Crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia
12. Feminist Foreign Policy
13. Situation in Haiti
14. Canada-India bilateral relations
15. Indo-Pacific approach
16. International security, democracy and human rights
    1. Bill to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act
    2. Canada’s National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security
    3. Canadian Centre for Peace, Order and Good Government
    4. Disinformation and the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM)
    5. Foreign state-backed interference and intimidation activities in Canada
    6. Promoting and Protecting Democracy Fund
    7. Peacebuilding
    8. UN peace operations
17. Iran
    1. Iran-U.S. regional tensions
    2. Iran - Human rights
    3. Iran and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
    4. Flight PS752
18. Israel
    1. Israel – Bilateral overview
    2. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)
    3. International Criminal Court investigation into the “Situation in Palestine”
    4. Israeli settlements
    5. Jerusalem
    6. Israeli-Palestinian conflict
19. Libya
20. Mali
21. Mexico trade challenges
22. Middle East Strategy extension
23. Myanmar
    1. Political situation in Myanmar
    2. Rohingya crisis
24. Nagorno-Karabakh
25. NATO
26. Nicaragua
27. North Korea (Nuclear focus)
28. Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
29. Office for Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion (OHRFI)
30. OECD Secretary-General campaign
31. Physical security at missions abroad
32. Quadrilateral dialogue
33. Russia – Sanctions and human rights
34. Canada’s sanctions regime
35. Saudi Arabia
    1. Saudi Arabia - Human rights
    2. Saudi Arabia - Bilateral dispute
36. Human rights in Sri Lanka
37. Syria
    1. Syria consular cases
    2. Syria crisis and peace talks
    3. Syria (ICJ)
    4. Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets)
38. Ukraine – Russian aggression and NATO membership
39. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNWRA)
40. United States
    1. Canada-United States relations
    2. Bilateral economic priorities
    3. Buy American and Buy America
    4. Canada-U.S. relations and roadmap
    5. Central American migration
    6. Canada-U.S. vaccine cooperation
    7. Line 5
41. UN Security Council (UNSC) campaign cost
42. Venezuela
43. Yemen

Meeting scenario

• GAC ministers will appear before a Committee of the Whole meeting of the House of Commons for four hours on the evening of Monday, May 31, at approximately 19h00, following adjournment proceedings.
• All ministers will appear virtually from different locations by video link. Deputy ministers will support ministers through an MS Teams Chat with ministers’ exempt staff, with the latter acting as the conduit to provide additional information, talking points or corrections to the record to ministers on an as-need basis.
• MPs are granted 15-minute speaking slots, alternating between political parties, and allocated proportionately according to the number of seats each party holds in the House of Commons. We anticipate the following order for the speaking slots during Committee of the Whole:
  1. Conservative Party (Leader of the Opposition or designate)
  2. Liberal Party
  3. Bloc Québecois
  4. NDP
  5. Liberal Party
  6. Conservative Party
  7. Liberal Party
  8. Conservative Party
  9. Liberal Party
  10. Conservative Party
  11. Liberal Party
  12. Bloc Québecois
  13. Liberal Party
  14. Conservative Party
  15. Liberal Party
  16. NDP
• For their time slots, government MPs typically make use of the up-to-ten minutes of speech time allowed by procedure, followed by five minutes of questions to ministers. This ensures that government segments are effectively leveraged to convey a range of government messaging, and to give ministers time to prepare for the next opposition segment.
• Opposition MPs typically devote their 15-minutes segments entirely to questions to ministers. As with Question Period, ministers are expected to calibrate the length of their response to match the length of the question. MPs will frequently adopt different styles of questioning that keep ministers on their toes: some will engage in short, rapid- fire questioning, pressing ministers to respond in kind; others will unexpectedly and frequently change topics, challenging ministers to keep up. Opposition members may also split their time with other MPs with the unanimous consent of the House of Commons.
• There are no constraints on the issues opposition MPs may raise, provided questions generally address the GAC ministerial portfolio. When GAC ministers were last called on to have their Main Estimates reviewed in Committee of the Whole in 2017, only one question in four hours directly pertained to the Main Estimates.
• In most cases, segments move quickly and leave little opportunity to provide ministers, who are busy answering questions, with additional talking points. Nevertheless, every effort will be made to ensure that exempt staff communicating directly with ministers are equipped with supplementary materials or talking points if the need arises.

Opening statement and speeches

Rules-based International System and Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

(Speech to support GAC participation in Committee of the Whole)

In today’s uncertain global landscape, it is essential to have an effective rules-based international system that promotes and protects the interests and prosperity of all Canadians.

The current system – a set of norms, institutions, treaties and arrangements that provides rules of the road for managing competing national interests and facilitating international cooperation – was built to support global security and prosperity through coordinated action in response to shared global challenges. It is based on a respect for international law and the territorial integrity of states, and guided by the fundamental premise that no country can accomplish alone what we can accomplish together.

This system has contributed to the relative peace and steadily expanding prosperity of the last 75 years. It has facilitated massive trade growth (from 12% of global GDP in 1960 to over 30% today). It has helped advance collective security by reducing the use of hard power between states, instituting rules for the use of force, and supporting peaceful settlement of disputes.

Through a vast array of treaties, institutions, and cooperation arrangements, it has provided an expanding framework to foster the conditions for open markets, the rule of law, and democratic governance. It has allowed the world to manage issues of common interest, from fishing rights to air transport, extradition, postal services, telecom regulations, and the creation of legal frameworks for the promotion and protection of human rights.

Challenges to the Rules-based System

Through the decades, the system has largely proven resilient in the face of inter-state tensions. However, the system has been stressed by several factors in recent years, amplified during the pandemic:

• Increased geopolitical competition, growing unilateralism and reduced support in some quarters for multilateral action.
• Some states increasingly disregard principles and institutions they find inconvenient, notably those related to human rights, the rule of law and good governance.
• Protectionism has grown alongside isolationist domestic politics, often coupled with a backlash against globalization.
• Financial, organizational, and leadership challenges affect the ability of some multilateral entities to fulfil their mandates effectively.

At the same time, we face acute global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation and forced migration, that cannot be solved by countries acting alone.

Some elements of the current system continue to function well. International financial institutions, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and regional development banks, are playing a critical role in enabling the global economic stability that is crucial for an inclusive, climate smart and sustainable recovery, particularly for the most vulnerable who have been hit the hardest by the crisis.

But other elements of the current international system have a more complicated record, and there are concerns about the representativeness of some international institutions, as emerging states are concerned with increasing their voice and feel excluded from decision- making.

Canadian responses

In the face of these pressures, action is required not just to protect the current system but also to strengthen and reform it to address the challenges that will shape our future.

From the development of the Bretton Woods institutions, NATO and the UN to more recent multilateral action to ban land mines, prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers or to fight climate change, Canada has a long history of working with diverse partners to develop and leverage rules-based multilateral mechanisms to address global challenges.

Today, we must reach out and rally as many partners as possible to future proof the system so it can address emerging issues and adapt to serve the interests of all states and all people.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for collective responses to complex global challenges, from the provision of vaccines to the entire global population, to the technological and economic transformations needed to address climate change.

More broadly, Canada has a long and proud tradition of constructive involvement in the UN. This is why we co-chaired in January the UN Peacebuilding Fund Replenishment Conference, and that we are working with partners to advance the UN reform agenda for making the UN a more efficient, transparent and accountable organization that remains an effective platform for advancing Canadian interests.

At the same time, Canada is a respected voice across other institutions and forums, many of which we were instrumental in developing: NATO, the G7, the G20, La Francophonie, the Commonwealth, APEC, the Organization of American States and others.

Through all these settings, Canada prioritizes the advancement and protection of human rights and the push for gender equality.

However, even as we work to revitalize international institutions, we may also need to create new collaborative forums where old ones no longer meet the challenge.

For example, Canada is acting as co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition, and co-founded the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, which convenes experts from science, industry and civil society dedicated to the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence, grounded in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth. We have joined new cross-regional initiatives, such as the Alliance for Multilateralism, and a leaders’ network initiated by Spain and Sweden to support implementation of the UN 75th Anniversary Declaration.

Canada is a trading nation. Nearly two thirds of our economy and millions of Canadian jobs depend on international trade and investment—as we prepare for a strong, inclusive economic recovery, international trade will be crucial to generate growth and create good jobs. Fair, predictable, rule-based trade creates opportunities for Canadian businesses to succeed at home and abroad. Canada created and participates in the Ottawa Group for WTO Reform. The WTO has an indispensable role in facilitating rules-based international trade, but the need to modernize is urgent, so that members can prevent trade-distorting policies and resolve trade issues before they escalate into formal disputes. Through our leadership of the Ottawa Group, Canada is committed to making the WTO a more inclusive, modern, resilient, and transparent system for all.

Today, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to build on our past efforts.

73 years ago, countries around the world came together to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which outlines the fundamental rights and freedoms to which we are all entitled. While much progress on human rights has been achieved since 1948, events of 2020 have reminded us that there is still a long way to go – and the multilateral human rights system remains a critical tool to pursue our common goal of ensuring the protection and promotion of human rights for all. For Canada, it is one of the most important ways to engage in advancing human rights around the world.

We know that we cannot achieve progress on human rights alone. That is why Canada continues to actively engage in the UN human rights system, including through mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review, where Member States receive peer feedback on their human rights records, every four years. Canada is also proud to engage at forums like the UN General Assembly Third Committee, and Human Rights Council, where we lead resolutions on ending child, early and forced marriage; ending violence against women and girls; and supporting human rights in Iran. While sadly, Canada and our like-mindeds are continuing to witness the rising trend of anti-rights and gender equality backlash in these settings, it only further underscores the need for progress and sustained dialogue.

In the face of this backlash, and the challenges posed by COVID-19, around the world – including in Canada – human rights defenders, members of the media, volunteers, civic leaders, Indigenous representatives, and more are fighting for more inclusive and just societies. Many are doing so in the midst of shrinking civic space, including internet shutdowns, and other threats to freedom of expression. And too many, especially women human rights defenders, risk the safety of themselves and their families through the course of their work. Canada is continuing to listen to the experiences of these brave individuals, and is investing in initiatives like our “Voices at Risk” guidelines on supporting human rights defenders – a publicly accessible resource, meant for use by Canadian officials at home and abroad.

Around the world, Canada takes action with a clear understanding of its national interests and a commitment to stand firm in the defence of our most cherished values and principles.

This requires that we work to advance gender equality through all of our international actions, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

The current rules-based system has been essential for promoting and supporting gender equality. Multilateral cooperation and the advancement of gender equality are closely linked. The structures, goals, operations and resources of both regional and global institutions have a significant influence over how Canada, and the world, are able to take action in support of gender equality and human rights.

Last year, we marked several milestones in the history of women’s rights, including Beijing+25 and the 20th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Today, Canada works to build on these commitments and fight for advancement on gender equality, working with and through the multilateral institutions to:

• Shape their goals, and the outcomes of specific programs and bodies;
• Ensure inclusive representation within our delegations, the staff and leadership of the institutions, and in their consultations, committees and expert bodies;
• Contribute to the inclusiveness of multilateral operations, including agenda setting, data gathering, budget negotiations, field work, performance assessments, and dialogue processes;
• Contribute expertise and resources to support the functioning of key bodies for advancing gender equality and human rights;
• Speak out clearly and forcefully in multilateral settings, along with our partners, on gender equality issues, and in the face of pushback from recalcitrant states.

In a time of profound change, complex challenges and considerable opportunities, Canada will continue to play a constructive role in shaping the evolving global system for the benefit and prosperity of all Canadians.

Remarks - The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada - Committee of the Whole appearance May 3, 2021

Introduction

Mr. Chair, Honourable Members, thank you for inviting me to appear before the Committee of the Whole. I’m pleased to be joined by a number of senior leaders from Global Affairs Canada.

First, a few words on the global crisis that preoccupies us all.

COVID-19 poses a unique and truly global challenge. It has underscored the need for bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relationships and solutions to shared problems.

It has also brought to the fore the national security challenge of our collective exposure to health risks.

And it has demonstrated the importance of the work we do to provide assistance to Canadians abroad in their hour of need. We are also ensuring Canadian businesses have the tools they need to manage complex supply chains, and helping other countries achieve health, peace and sustainability.

China - General

Our bilateral relationship with China is one of Canada’s most complex and multidimensional.

As you know, there are important issues on which Canada and China fundamentally disagree and some issues where pragmatic cooperation remains.

But China’s increasing authoritarianism and coercive diplomacy precludes a return to the state of bilateral relations prior to the arbitrary detentions of Mr. Spavor and Mr. Kovrig.

Our message to China is clear: the world is watching.

Canada recognizes the importance of maintaining dialogue, and will continue to defend its interests and uphold core principles bilaterally as well as via the pursuit of partnerships at the international level.

Democratic countries must stand together to promote values of democracy and human rights. We continue to do so.

Arbitrary detention

Canada has made unprecedented progress in addressing arbitrary detention for diplomatic leverage. We are building a common front to oppose this abhorrent practice.

Almost one-third of the world’s countries (62, and growing) endorse Canada’s Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. This is Canadian diplomacy in action.

The impact is tangible: countries that coercively detain a citizen of another country have the eyes of the world turned on them. They face the collective criticism of countries standing together in solidarity.

Arbitrary Detention for diplomatic leverage is unlawful, unacceptable, and it will not succeed. The Government of Canada will always stand up for Canadians in difficulty and distress abroad.

G7

On May 5, at the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers Meeting in London, Canada released a Partnership Action Plan with full G7 support. The Plan turns words into action, and further raises the penalty for Arbitrary Detention.

At the G7, we discussed Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, specifically. Our communiqué called on China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. We expressed our deep concern about the human rights violations and abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as the crackdown in Hong Kong. We repeated our call for unfettered access to Xinjiang for the UN High Commission for Human Rights to investigate the situation on the ground.

The summit covered a lot of ground. It allowed us to have meaningful talks with our counterparts on a number of pressing international issues.

Through our participation, Canada reaffirmed its commitment to working with these key partners to expand global efforts to end the pandemic and defend human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rules-based international order.

Protection and promotion of human rights

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a particularly profound impact on human rights. It has devastated lives and livelihoods. It has deepened inequalities and underscored the importance of social and economic rights. And it has been used as a pretext by some governments to undermine human rights.

At the UN Human Rights Council earlier this year, Canada joined in calls for human dignity and rights, gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and inclusion. We focused our attention on Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Iran, Belarus, and China, as well as on the Rohingya and Myanmar.

We also emphasized the critical importance of Media Freedom and Digital Inclusion.

As the world races to protect public health -- including through the development and distribution of vaccines -- it’s our responsibility to ensure human rights are front and centre.

This is not just the right thing to do. As long as people are vulnerable to COVID-19 anywhere, there’s a risk to populations everywhere.

That’s why Canada supports a human rights-based approach to vaccination and other public health measures. Access must be equitable, timely and affordable.

This approach makes our public health measures more effective. It’s critical to ending the pandemic.

In all our activities, we must do all that we can to protect vulnerable and marginalized people and communities. Respect for human rights is the key to a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.

Canada in the world

The global challenges we face call for nimble alliances and strong partnerships. We are using the alliances we have, and building the alliances we need. Canada will continue to reinforce our bilateral and multilateral ties with traditional allies while pursuing new collaborations with emerging partners.

This effort starts with our enduring alliance with the United States. This is an alliance with global reach, but it is rooted in, and reliant on, the security of our shared continent. It involves, among other things, a path to the modernization of NORAD, which the President and Prime Minister agreed to launch.

In February the two leaders announced a Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership, which sets out priorities for engagement in six key areas:

• Combating COVID-19
• Building back better
• Accelerating climate ambitions
• Advancing diversity and inclusion
• Bolstering security and defence
• Building global alliances

The Arctic remains a critical priority for Canada. It is one of the key venues for our efforts to combat climate change. Through the implementation of the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and engagement within the Arctic Council, Canada will continue to address challenges faced by northern communities, including Indigenous peoples, and to ensure that the Arctic remains peaceful, secure and sustainable.

Climate change is front and centre in Canada’s efforts to build back better, both at home and abroad.

As we prepare for the important climate summit in the UK this upcoming November, Canada remains committed to the Paris Agreement, to net-zero targets and to mobilizing on climate action, including on energy demand.

We continue to advance democracy, human rights and the rule of law, including through our support for UN peace operations and Canada’s Women, Peace and Security agenda. Our objectives include lasting peace and security; sustainable and inclusive economic growth; and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Our feminist foreign policy underpins our efforts.

An effective and inclusive rules-based international system is critical to Canada’s success. We are working with partners to strengthen respect for international law and established norms of behaviour.

Conclusion

Canada’s values and interests lie at the heart of everything we do on the international stage. Thank you for your time today. I look forward to hearing from you with any questions or comments.

Remarks - The Honourable Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs - Committee of the Whole appearance May 31, 2021

Introduction

Mr. Chair, Honourable Members, thank you for inviting me to speak to the Committee of the Whole to talk about our work at Global Affairs Canada.

I’ll limit my remarks to Canada’s concerns with respect to increasing authoritarianism and coercive diplomacy practised by China.

China

While Canada’s policy review on China remains ongoing, our approach to China continues to evolve.

Canada also continues to work with its partners on our concerns with China. International rules and norms that have ensured stability and prosperity for decades, and our goal is to protect those rules and norms.

Human rights are top of mind. We are seeing a crackdown on human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists in China, as well as ethnic and religious minorities. I’ll say more in a moment about the situations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

Securing the release of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor remains a top priority for Canada. We also seek clemency for all Canadians facing the death penalty.

Consular cases

More than two years since their arbitrary detention in China, Canada continues to call for the immediate release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

Since December 2018, Canada has had more than 1,250 interactions with Chinese officials, other governments and key stakeholders to advocate for Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor’s release.

We are grateful to all who have joined in expressing concerns. That includes the 23 likeminded partners whose embassies sent diplomats to the trials of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor. They did so in solidarity with these two men, and they echoed Canada’s message that these detentions are unacceptable.

Canada is also deeply concerned by the arbitrary sentencing of Robert Schellenberg. We call for clemency for him, and for all Canadians facing the death penalty.

Canada continues to work with our allies to end the abhorrent practice of arbitrary detention and to uphold the rule of law and the rights of citizens around the world.

Hong Kong

Canada remains deeply concerned over the rapid deterioration of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.

Recent actions by the Chinese central government to stifle political participation represents a further abrogation of China’s commitment to preserve Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, its Basic Law and the One Country, Two Systems framework.

Canada strongly supports the One Country, Two Systems framework under Hong Kong’s Basic Law. We call for continued adherence to this framework. It’s in everyone’s interest to have a stable and prosperous Hong Kong, where the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms are guaranteed.

Canada is working with international partners to hold Hong Kong and Chinese central authorities to account for breaching international obligations that commit them to respecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.

We urge authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong to uphold their international obligations.

Uyghurs / Xinjiang

COVID-19 has had a profound, detrimental impact on human rights worldwide. It is imperative that democratic countries stand together at this time to promote human rights and democratic values.

With respect to the treatment of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, our message to China is clear: the world is watching.

We cannot ignore China’s mounting, systematic campaign of repression and deplorable treatment in Xinjiang. In March, Canada joined key allies to call on China to put an end to its repression of the Uyghurs. We want to hold those responsible to account.

Canada takes allegations of genocide very seriously. The international community must work together on this very serious matter.

That is why we have repeatedly called for an international investigation in response to allegations of genocide. The investigation must be conducted by an international and independent body so that impartial experts can observe and report on the situation first-hand.

We call on China to halt the human rights violations affecting Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.

Conclusion

The eyes of the world are on China, and we will continue to press for accountability and respect for human rights, consistent with our values as Canadians.

Thank you for your time today. I look forward to your questions.

Critics Biographies

Hon. Michael D. Chong, P.C (CPC—Wellington – Halton Hills, ON), Critic for foreign affairs

Key interests

• Democratic Reform
• Climate Change
• Human rights

Parliamentary roles

Mr. Chong is currently serving as the Official Opposition’s Critic for Foreign Affairs. MP Chong served as the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Minister for Sport from February to November 2006. He has been a member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN), the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS), among others.

Notable committee memberships

• Vice-Chair and member, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), October 2020-present
• Member, Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), 2009-2010, September 2018-2019
• Member, Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN), September 2017-2018
• Member, Public Safety and National Security (SECU), October 2013-January 2014

Background

Mr. Chong was first elected to Parliament in 2004 and has been Chair of several House of Commons Standing Committees. He is a co-founder and member of the All Party Climate Caucus since it was formed in 2011. In the 42^nd Parliament, MP Chong served as the Official Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Shadow Minister for Science. In 2015, Chong’s Reform Act passed Parliament and became law.

Prior to his election, Mr. Chong acted as Chief Information Officer for the National Hockey League.

Players’ Association and as a Senior Technology Consultant to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority for the redevelopment of Pearson International Airport. MP Chong also co-founded the Dominion Institute, now known as Historica Canada, an organization committed to raising Canadians’ awareness of history and civics. He currently sits on its Board of Governors. Mr. Chong attended Trinity College in the University of Toronto where he obtained a degree in philosophy.

Issue specific background

China general

On May 10, MP Chong filed an OPQ on AIIB requesting details on payments.

On March 26, at QP, he raised the secret trials of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and questioned the government on its participation in the AIIB. On March 30, he expressed concerns on Twitter that the Chinese were limiting access to the WHO investigating team.

On April 12, he accused the government of threatening to cancel funding for the Halifax Security Forum if it awarded the John McCain Prize to Taiwan’s President and wanted to know whether Canada supports Taiwan’s participation at the WHO’s meeting in May 2021.

China consular cases

On September 30, 2020, MP Chong stated that China was violating human rights and international treaties in its treatment of Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig, the Uyghurs, and the people of Hong Kong. He asked if the government would impose sanctions on those responsible in China.

China Uyghurs

On December 10, 2019, MP Chong rose in the House of Commons to speak about Canada’s relationship with China. He stated, “I would say this in response to the economic concerns that have been voiced by many about our relationship with China. More important than economic concerns are the principles and values on which this country is founded, principles such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Those are the very principles we risk undermining and doing away with if we continue to focus on the economic consequences of taking a reset and decoupling in our China relationship”. He went on to speak about how China has increasingly used economic blackmail, including attacks on Canadian farmers with regards to pork, beef and canola.

MP Chong also made the situation of Uyghurs his warhorse together with MP Garnett Genuis. On January 24, 2021, they issued a Conservative statement calling on the government to recognize the Uyghur genocide, encourage allies to do the same, and update its travel advisories to reflect the potential threats to Canadians when travelling to China. He led the charge on the motion adopted by the House recognizing the genocide of Uyghurs on February 22, 2021. On March 27, MP Chong, along with members of SDIR, was specifically targeted by Chinese sanctions to which he responded that he would wear it as a badge of honour. He is now advocating for Canada to put in place systems to prevent imports of goods issued of forced labour.

Arms export controls

On October 6, during an address in reply of the Speech from the Throne, MP Chong noted that the government has been inconsistent in upholding its international obligations under the ATT by permitting arms exports to Saudi Arabia and Turkey. On October 26 at QP, MP Chong asked whether the PM overrode GAC’s recommendation and approved the export to drone systems to Turkey, saying their diversion to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is in clear violation to the ATT, the Wassenar Arrangement and Canadian laws. On November 3, 2020, MP Chong continued this line of questioning and enquired whether the PM had agreed to PM Erdogan’s request for the export of drone systems to Turkey.

On March 24 at QP, MP Chong raised the documents provided to the Committee on arms exports to Turkey, coming to the conclusion that “after a bit of pressure was put on the government by the arms export lobby and by Turkish authorities, and after the government was told that these arms exports would be used for the defence of human rights, the government buckled and naively reversed its earlier decision and approved these arms exports to Turkey”.

On May 13, MP Chong expressed concerns on social media about reports of Azerbaijani troops crossing into Armenia. He declared “Having approved arms exports that upset the balance of power in Nagorno- Karabakh war, the Trudeau government must speak up to defend the territorial integrity of Armenia.”

Social media

On social media, MP Chong has be most vocal on the following issues: China Uyghur genocide, Taiwan, Israeli-Palestinian conflict and . Since his nomination as Foreign Affairs Critic in October 2020, he has been meeting with ambassadors and posting reports of their discussions on Twitter. Of late, he met with the ambassadors of Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis (May 11), Colombia (May 11) and Serbia (Apr 23).

Stephane Bergeron (BQ—Montarville, QC), Critic for foreign affairs

GAC-related key interests

• Canada-China relations writ large
• 5G
• Human Rights

Parliamentary roles

Mr. Bergeron is currently the Bloc Québécois’ (BQ) Critic for Foreign Affairs. He is a member of numerous parliamentary associations and interparliamentary groups, particularly the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN) and the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA). He also served as the Whip for the BQ from 1997 to 2001.

Notable committee membership

• Vice-Chair, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), February 2020-present
• Vice-Chair, Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (CACN), January 2020-present
• Member, Subcommittee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SINT), 2004
• Vice-Chair, Subcommittee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SINT), 2002-2003
• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Trade (FAIT), 2004; 2002-2003

Background

Mr. Bergeron served as a BQ member of the House of Commons from 1993 to 2005 and a member of Quebec’s National Assembly from 2005 to 2018. In 2019, he returned to the House of Commons as a BQ member. Mr. Bergeron has bachelors and master’s degrees in Political Science. After first leaving the House of Commons and serving in Quebec’s National Assembly for 13 years, he was Registrar of Rimouski’s CEGEP. He was previously a political advisor and a teaching assistant at Université Laval within the Political Science department. From 1984 to 1993 he served in the Canadian Forces as a naval Cadet Instructor Cadre officer.

Issues-specific background/statements

The majority of Mr. Bergeron’s statements have been regarding China, including the eight-month vacancy of the Ambassador position and the effect on the bilateral relationship.

He has raised human rights in Question Period, asking “What will it take for the government to take action and finally get Raif Badawi released?” Then following up his question by stating, “it is scandalous that Raif Badawi is languishing in prison after seven years without having committed any crime. If the government can sit down with Saudi Arabia at the G20 , if it can sit down with Saudi Arabia to do business and sell the country weapons, then it can certainly sit down with Saudi Arabia to demand the release of Raif Badawi.” On social media, he advocated for the Government to repatriate Canadian children in Syrian refugee camps, denounced privatization and social injustices in Chile, criticized Canada’s lack of action regarding Israel’s annexation plan.

Upon the announcement that Canada is lifting its ban on export of military goods to Saudi Arabia, MP Bergeron tweeted: Aurait-on profité de la crise (COVID-19) pour aller de l’avant en catimini avec cette décision controversée, en espérant qu’elle passe sous le radar?

On COVID-19, on social media, MP Bergeron criticized the government for not closing its borders with the US. He also commented on repatriation of Canadians saying that Minister Champagne needed to keep his promise to offer consular and financial support to Canadians abroad. BQ leader Yves-François Blanchet also expressed early on his concerns about the Canada-US border staying open, insisting that all non-essential entries should be prohibited. On the repatriation of Canadians, he stressed that no Canadian should be left alone. He criticized the government in light of closures of consulates and missions. He asked his caucus members to help in any way possible with repatriation efforts of Quebecers. On April 9 though, he thanked GAC and consular officials for having done a Titans’ job. On vaccination, on March he commented an article from the Journal de Québec titled Le vaccin comme baïonette : Par sa «diplomatie des vaccins», la «Chine (cherche à couper) l’herbe sous le pied à ceux qui appellent au boycottage des Jeux de Pékin pour son horrible bilan en matière de droits de la personne, (notamment) des Ouïghours»...

Jack Harris (NDP—St. John’s east, NL), Critic for foreign affairs

GAC-related key interests

• Human Rights

Parliamentary roles

Mr. Harris is currently the NDP’s Critic for Foreign Affairs, Public Safety, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. He is also the Deputy Critic for Defence.

Notable committee memberships

• Vice-Chair, Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (CACN), January 2020-present
• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), February 2020-present
• Vice-Chair, National Defence (NDDN), 2011-2015
• Member, National Defence (NDDN), 2009-2015
• Vice Chair, Justice and Human Rights (JUST), 2011-2012
• Vice-Chair, Public Safety and National Security (SECU), 2009

Background

Jack Harris is a lawyer and politician from Newfoundland and Labrador. He has represented St John’s East several times: from 1987-1988, from 2008 to 2015, and winning his seat again in 2019. He was the leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party from 1992 to 2006.

Issues-specific background/statements

On December 10, 2019, Mr. Harris rose in the House of Commons to voice his support for the creation of a special committee on Canada and China relations. He stated, “Madam Speaker, clearly, the relationship would deteriorate. We have seen in the past year or so how quick and easy it is for China, in this case, to take actions that hurt people. We have to move on this and we should move quickly”. On the same day, Mr. Harris also spoke about the importance of Canada engaging in multilateralism as a solution to ongoing tensions between Canada and China. On October 30, 2020, MP Harris called on the Minister to release the details of its investigation on the export of drone systems to Turkey and cease all exports. On March 13, 2021, MP Harris commented the Globe and Mail article of March 12 : It appears that the Liberal government “decided the relationship with Turkey was more important than arms-control obligations.” On March 24, following an article relating Chinese cyber espionage of Canadian Uyghurs on Facebook, he tweeted: It's not acceptable for this kind of surveillance to happen in Canada. The Liberal gov has an obligation to require Facebook and other social media giants to make sure they aren’t being used as a tool for authoritarian governments. #NDP #StandwithUyghurs

Garnett Genuis (CPC—Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan, AB), Critic for international development and human rights

Key interests

• Human Rights
• Canada-China Relations (critical of China)
• Freedom of Expression
• Democracy and the Rule of Law

Parliamentary roles

Garnett Genuis is currently the Conservative Critic for International Development and Human Rights. He previously served as the Conservative Critic for Canada-China Relations and Multiculturalism. He was a member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) from September 2018 to March 2019 and a member of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS) from February to March 2017. In September 2017 he triggered an emergency debate in the House of Commons concerning the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and he has presented a private member’s bill and numerous petitions over the past two parliaments to draw attention to the combat against trafficking in human organs.

Notable committee membership

• Member, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), October 2020-Present; 2017-2018
• Vice-Chair, Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (CACN), October 2020-Present
• Member, Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (CACN), February 2020 – August 2020
• Member, Subcommittee Committee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR), February 2020-August 2020
• Member, Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (REGS), January 2016- September 2017

Background

Mr. Genuis was elected in 2015 and 2019. He grew up in Strathcona County and got involved in his community through volunteering with various organizations, including a local care centre. At age 15, he began writing a column for Sherwood Park News for which he continues to be a regular contributor as an MP.

Mr. Genuis holds a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University and Master’s of Science in Philosophy and Public Policy from the London School of Economics. Prior to his election, he worked in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Issues-specific background/statements

Mr. Genuis often rises in the House of Commons to speak about a variety of foreign affairs-related issues. In the 43^rd Parliament he has asked the government about Iran, Sri Lanka, Canada-China relations, and Taiwan during Question Period. He also sparked an emergency debate in the House of Commons concerning the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Burma and is sponsoring Senator Ataullahjan’s Bill S-204 (trafficking in human organs) in the House of Commons (currently at second reading).

During a briefing on International Development by departmental officials on October 15^th, 2020, MP Genuis asked for details related to the Canadian Centre for Peace, Order and Good Governance.

On Nov. 26, 2020, he introduced a motion (M-55) to combat foreign state interference in Canada.

On January 24, together with Foreign Affairs Critic Chong, he issued a Conservative statement calling on the government to recognize the Uyghur genocide, encourage allies to do the same, and update its travel advisories to reflect the potential threats to Canadians when travelling to China. Although

MP Chong presented the motion for the House to recognize the Uyghur genocide, he has been a strong advocate on this topic and spoke quite often on the issue in the House.

Social media

Of late, MP Genuis raised the situation in the Tigray region on a number of occasions, China, funding of UNRWA and antisemitism, Iran at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and expressed his support of Taiwan at the WHA.

Question Period topic analysis by MP

2021-22 Main Estimates overview

• The 2021-22 Main Estimates were tabled in Parliament the week of February 15, 2021 and the related Appropriation Act is expected to receive Royal Assent in June 2021 with an Interim Supply bill approved by March 31, 2021.
• The Department’s total funding requested in the 2021-22 Main Estimates is $6,723.2 million, which represents a net decrease of $761.0 million over the 2020-21 Main Estimates of $7,484.2 million.
• The decrease is mainly due to funding received in previous years to help developing countries address the impact of climate change, for Renewing Canadaʼs Middle East Strategy and to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda.

Supporting facts and figures

2021-22 Main Estimates – Year-Over-Year Changes – Explanation of Items

Organizational Estimates

• Significant funding decreases include:
• $363.0 million related to funding received in previous years to help developing countries address the impact of climate change;
• $249.7 million related to the sunset of funding received for Renewing Canada’s Middle East Strategy;
• $124.5 million related to funding received in previous years to implement the Feminist International Assistance Policy. The total decrease of $124.5 million includes a decrease of $129.9 million in grants and contributions (Vote 10), an increase of $5.1 million in operating expenditures (Vote 1) and an increase of
• $0.3 million for employee benefit plan. The total decrease of $124.5 million is due to: a decrease of $284.0 million related to the reprofile of funding for the establishment of the Partnership for Gender Equality (Equality Fund), an increase of $9.9 million for Counter Terrorism Capacity Building – Sahel, an increase of $55.7 million for Innovative Financing Programs to support International Assistance, an increase of $93.8 million to support the Feminist International Assistance Policy and an increase of $0.1 million for the Weapons Threat Reduction Program;
• $57.0 million in the current funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program; and
• $31.6 million in the current funding for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad.
• Significant funding increases include:
• $18.7 million related to the cost of assessed contributions due to changes in the international organizations' budgets and the impact of currency fluctuations resulting from the payment in the prescribed foreign currency of these
• contributions which represent Canada’s treaty obligations and legal commitments to international organizations;
• $17.9 million for compensation related to collective agreements;
• $15.5 million relating to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad; and
• $14.4 million for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada.

Background

• The Main Estimates present Global Affairs Canada’s reference levels which are broken down by the nature of the funding (Vote) and according to the Departmental Results Framework (DRF). Adjustments to Main Estimates to account for new programming or for programs that were approved after the process for including items in the Main Estimates (concluded in the Fall), will be received through Supplementary Estimates.
• Supplementary Estimates are part of the normal Parliamentary approval process to ensure that previously planned government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move them forward. They present information to Parliament of the Government of Canada’s spending requirements that were not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates.

2021-22 Main Estimates – Year-Over-Year Changes – Explanation of Items

• The Department’s total funding requested in the 2021-22 Main Estimates is $6,723.2 million, which represents a net decrease of $761.0 million over the 2020-21 Main Estimates of $7,484.2 million.
• Funding decreases include:
  • $363.0 million related to funding received in previous years to help developing countries address the impact of climate change. The decrease is due to: a decrease of $174.0 million for Canada Clean Energy and Forest Facility (Climate Change World Bank projects), a decrease of $109.0 for Climate Change and a decrease of $80.0 million for International Fund for Agriculture Development;
  • $249.7 million related to the sunset of funding received for Renewing Canada’s Middle East Strategy;
  • $124.5 million related to funding received in previous years to implement the Feminist International Assistance Policy. The decrease is due to: a decrease of $284.0 million related to the reprofile of funding for the establishment of the Equality Fund, an increase of $9.9 million for Counter Terrorism Capacity Building – Sahel, an increase of $55.7 million for Innovative Financing Programs to support International Assistance, an increase of $93.8 million to support the Feminist International Assistance Policy and an increase of $0.1 million for the Weapons Threat Reduction Program;
  • $57.0 million in the current funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program. The decrease is due to: a decrease of $55.0 million for the Renewed Approach to Canada’s Development Assistance and Security Sector Support to Afghanistan and a decrease of $2.0 million for the United Nations Peace Operations; and
  • $31.6 million in the current funding for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad. The decrease is due to: a decrease of $26.7 million related to a reprofile of Duty of Care special purpose allotment, a decrease of $12.0 million in funding for Duty of Care, an increase of $3.6 million for Colombo Chancery Relocation, an increase of $3.0 million related to inflation and currency fluctuations and an increase of $0.5 million for compensations related to Collective Agreements.
• Funding increases include:
  • $18.7 million related to the cost of assessed contributions due to changes in the international organizations' budgets and the impact of currency fluctuations resulting from the payment in the prescribed foreign currency of these contributions which represent Canada’s treaty obligations and legal commitments to international organizations;
  • $17.9 million for compensation related to collective agreements;
  • $15.5 million relating to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad; and
  • $14.4 million for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada.

Supplementary messages

The 2021-22 Main Estimates include:

• Decrease of $363.0 million in the 2021-22 Main Estimates when compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates related to help developing countries address the impact of climate change. In November 2015, in the lead up to the Paris Climate Conference, the Prime Minister announced an investment of $2.65 billion to Global Climate Change Action by 2020-21.
• Decrease of $249.7 million in the 2021-22 Main Estimates when compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates related funding received for Renewing Canada’s Middle East Strategy. Budget 2019 included funding up to an additional $1.39 billion over two years (2019-20 and 2020-21) to renew Canada’s engagement in the Middle East, with a greater focus on building stability, governance and long-term resilience.
• Decrease of $124.5 million in the 2021-22 Main Estimates when compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates related funding received to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda. Budget 2018 decisions provided $2.0 billion in new resources over five years, starting in 2018-19, from the International Assistance Envelope to accelerate the impact of Canada’s new Feminist International Assistance Policy. Budget 2018 decisions also provided $1.5 billion over five years, starting in 2018-19, and $492.7 million per year thereafter from existing unallocated International Assistance Envelope resources, to support innovation in Canada’s international assistance through the International Assistance Innovation Program and the Sovereign Loans Program.
• Decrease of $57.0 million in the 2021-22 Main Estimates when compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates related the current funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program.
• Decrease of $31.6 million in the 2021-22 Main Estimates when compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates related to the current funding for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad [Planned to access from the fiscal framework previously approved funding].
• $18.7 million related to the cost of assessed contributions, due to changes in the international organizations' budgets and the impact of currency fluctuations resulting from the payment in the prescribed foreign currency of these contributions, which represent Canada’s treaty obligations and legal commitments to international organizations.
• $17.9 million for compensation related to collective agreements. Global Affairs Canada is receiving incremental funding for the impact of signed collective agreements.
• $15.5 million relating to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad. To ensure that Global Affairs Canada maintains its purchasing power on overseas operations, and is not positively or negatively impacted by currency fluctuations, Global Affairs Canada’s budget is adjusted for currency fluctuations on an annual basis.
• $14.4 million for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada. Incremental funding was requested to allow Global Affairs Canada to meet the expenditure requirements of the current Program on behalf of Treasury Board as the Employer and the Government of Canada as the sponsor of the plans

Supporting facts and figures

• Other items that contributed to year-over-year changes, but not highlighted in these Main Estimates, are shown below:

Annex A

2021-22 Main Estimates, Summary of year-over-year Adjustments

2021-22 Main Estimates - Decrease related to funding received in previous years to Help Developing Countries Address the Impact of Climate Change

In the lead up to the 2015 Paris Climate conference to support developing countries, the Prime Minister announced a $2.65 billion funding commitment to advance international climate change objectives.

The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net decrease of $363.0 million compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates to implement programming to help developing countries address the impact of climate change.

These decreases align with the planned funding profiles for each of these initiatives.

Supplementary messages

• The decrease is the result of the sunset of $363.0 million in funding requested through the 2020-21 Main Estimates to further implement operational projects under Canada’s Climate Finance commitment broken down as follows:
• $174.0 million to support the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Facility at the World Bank.
• $80.0 million to support climate-smart agriculture programming at the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
• $109.0 million for Establishing Canadian Climate Funds Focused on the Private Sector through the Canada Climate Change Program - Phase II and the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas - Phase II.
• These initiatives are aligned with the Feminist International Assistance Policy action areas of Environment and Climate Action and Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls.

Results

• Of the portion of Canada’s $2.65 billion climate finance disbursed between FY 2015-16 and FY 2019-20, approximately $277 million targeted climate change adaptation; $541 million was provided for mitigation initiatives and $998 million for crosscutting initiatives (targeting both adaptation and mitigation). This financing delivers on the objectives set out as part of Canada’s 2015 Climate Finance commitment.
• In addition, support provided between FY 2015-16 and the end of FY 2019-20 covered a wide geographical area, with 80 countries directly benefiting from Canada’s climate finance and various other countries benefitting from providing Canada’s support through multilateral funds.
• Using the OECD DAC approach, Canada estimates that approximately US$309.0 million of private finance for climate-related activities was mobilized in developing countries over 2017 and 2018, via an investment of US$213.0 million in Canadian public finance.
• Canada is meeting our objective to support the institutions and financial mechanisms, which play a fundamental role in global action on climate change, in support of the Paris Agreement. To date, for example:
• Canada is a strong supporter of the Global Environment Facility, which funds valuable activities to address climate change in developing countries.
• Through a $200.0 million investment for the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia II at the Asian Development Bank, Canada was able to provide US$30.0 million in support of a 216-megawatt run-of-the-river hydro power plant in Nepal, which will reduce imports of electricity into the country, contributing to its long-term energy security, sufficiency and sustainability.
• Canada provided support to the Least Developed Countries Fund under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) through its $30.0 million contribution to address the urgent adaptation needs of the poorest and most vulnerable countries.
• Through the International Development Research Centre, Canada is supporting the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in building a critical mass of scientists to contribute to climate change solutions in Africa. AIMS is also contributing to the advancement of women through a special emphasis on recruiting and supporting women in math and science. As of 30 June 2019, AIMS has over 2,200 alumni, of which 704 (32%) are women and 1,496 (68%) are men, representing 43 countries across Africa.
• Through its support to the Africa Risk Capacity (ARC), a specialized agency of the African Union, Canada is helping countries better plan, prepare and respond to natural disasters and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, through innovative financial products such as sovereign-level drought insurance. As of April 2020, ARC has reported more than 2 million vulnerable people assisted, more than 1 million livestock saved, and over US$600 million in drought coverage provided.

Canada Clean Energy and Forest Facility

• The World Bank Group provides financing through low-interest loans and grants in all development sectors – including education, health, public administration, infrastructure, financial and private sector development, agriculture, and environmental and natural resource management. The organizational structure comprises the Board of Governors, the Board of Executive Directors, and the President. The Board of Governors is the highest decision-making body. Canada is represented on the board by our Minister of Finance.
• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada has put in place a Canadian single donor trust fund at the World Bank, dedicated to supporting climate change activities through projects focused on the promotion of renewable energy, both globally and in Small Island Developing States, as well as on sustainable forestry management.
• This funding helps to demonstrate Canada’s leadership in multilateral institutions and our support to climate change mitigation activities in the energy and forestry sectors. This initiative and other Canadian climate funds also support a larger effort to increase the percentage of climate smart programming by these institutions, and are used to leverage our other policy priorities such as gender.
• Results will focus on:
  • significant greenhouse gas emissions reduction;
  • measurable increases in generation of clean energy measured in megawatts; and
  • measurable increases in the percent of national/sub-national forest and landscapes managed sustainably.
• This facility also contributes to reducing gender inequality in the transition to a low- carbon economy by increasing women's skills and employment in the renewable energy sector, especially in the Renewable Energy in the Small Island Developing States program.
• Results will be reported annually by the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Facility at the World Bank International Fund for Agricultural Development’s Climate Smart Agriculture in Developing Countries
• The International Fund for Agricultural Development is a UN Specialized Agency and International Finance Institution (IFI) with the mandate to support rural poor people in remotest, hardest to reach areas. Canada sees IFAD as an important strategic partner in helping developing countries achieve the SDGs, leaving no one behind.
• The initiative supports the International Fund for Agricultural Development in providing eligible Member States with loans to support smallholder farmers, particularly women, by increasing their capacity to adapt their farming practices to climate change and adopt technologies and practices, which help reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture systems.
• It contributes to results under the Feminist International Assistance Policy, specifically in the Environment and Climate Action area and the objective “Canada is committed to helping the most vulnerable communities adapt to climate change, mitigate the impact and, by leveraging private sector investment, facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy”.
• The International Fund for Agricultural Development reports its results transparently on its public web site through an Annual Climate Action Report and its annual Report on IFAD’s Development Effectiveness summarizing climate-related results across the entire portfolio and for specific initiatives.
• Canada’s support for IFAD’s Climate Smart Agriculture Programming builds on our previous support for IFAD’s climate action, including:
• In FY 2011/12 Canada contributed approximately $20.0 million to a climate adaptation initiative - the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme.
• In FY 2015/16, Canada provided $10.0 million complementary contribution to support IFAD’s ten-point climate mainstreaming plan, as well as Phase 2 of IFAD’s Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP). As of April 2020, ASAP grants were supporting nearly 4.9 million beneficiaries to cope with the effects of climate change, and have channeled approximately US$300 million in environment and climate finance into country programmes.

Establishing Canadian Climate Funds Focused on the Private Sector

• Building on the first phases of the Canada Climate Change Program and the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas, Global Affairs Canada continues to provide financing for eligible private-sector led climate change mitigation and adaptation activities through the second phases of each initiative; The Canada Climate Change Program - Phase II with the International Finance Corporation (IFC); and, Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas - Phase II with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
• Created in 1959, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the oldest regional development bank (RDB) and the largest source of multilateral development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean (the only region where an RDB is larger than the World Bank). Canada has been an active member of the IDB since 1972 and is the sixth largest shareholder. Given its reach and knowledge of the region, the IDB is an important development partner for Canada in the Americas.
• IFC is a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group and is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. The Bank Group has set two goals for the world to achieve by 2030: end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in every country.
• Both Canadian initiatives support investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, biofuels, sustainable agriculture, forestry, land use and livelihoods resilience, using established networks and expertise. They help Canada deliver on its climate finance commitment, including demonstrating global leadership on climate change through the provision of concessional finance to help developing countries transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient economies, while also delivering development co-benefits including the empowerment of women and girls and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Canadian support also helps mobilize significant volumes of additional private and public capital for climate and sustainable development investments through the International Finance Corporation and Inter-American Development Bank’s extensive private sector networks.
• Canada’s $223.5 million in the second phase of the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas is expected to leverage up to US$1.0 billion in private-sector investments for renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and forestry to help the most vulnerable in the region, especially women and girls, adapt to climate change. It is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15 million tons.
• These initiatives build on Canada’s Fast-Start climate finance program that delivered $1.2 billion of funding to help developing countries tackle climate change over 2010 to 2013, including the first phases of these initiatives. As of May 2013, Canada’s Fast-Start investments have mobilized approximately $822.0 million in co-financing, including from the private sector and supported the reduction of over 559,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. These figures are expected to increase as the investments are further implemented.

Supporting facts and figures

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $2.6 billion over five years (from 2016- 17 to 2020-21). Of this total, $363.0 million was included in 2020-21, resulting in a net decrease in the 2021-22 Main Estimates when compared with the 2020-21 Main Estimates.

Allocation by Core Responsibility

Canada Clean Energy and Forest Facility

• In total, Global Affairs Canada was allocated $400.0 million over two years (2019- 20 to 2020-21) for the Canada Clean Energy and Forest Facility at the World Bank of which $174.0 million was requested via the 2020-21 Main Estimates and $226.0 million was requested via the 2019-20 Supplementary Estimates (A).

International Fund for Agricultural Development

• In total, Global Affairs Canada was allocated $150.0 million over two years (2019- 20 to 2020-21) for the International Fund for Agricultural Development of which $80 million was requested via the 2020-21 Main Estimates. $70.0 million was requested via the 2019-20 Supplementary Estimates (A).

Establishing Canadian Climate Funds Focused on the Private Sector

In total, Global Affairs Canada allocated $473.5 million over five years (2017-18 to 2020-21) to support the second phases of these two initiatives; $250 million to the International Finance Corporation to support the Canada Climate Change Program

- Phase II; and, $223.5 million to the Inter-American Development Bank to support the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas - Phase II, of which $109.0 million was requested via the 2020-21 Main Estimates.

Background

In November 2015, in the lead up to the Paris Climate Conference, the Prime Minister announced Canada’s contribution to supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement would be $2.65 billion in climate finance for developing countries in the five-year period to 2020-21.

Of the overall $2.65 billion commitment, Global Affairs Canada is programming 98% with Environment and Climate Change Canada programming the balance of approximately 2%.

As at March 2021, Canada has announced $2.3 billion of programming against its target of $2.65 billion.

{MINE will appear before FAAE in late April, and will announce that the $2.65B has been fully disbursed.}

Environment and Climate Action is a core action area of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. Consistent with the policy, Canada is pursuing gender-responsive climate action, which recognizes that environment and climate action is most effective when women and girls play an active role in designing and developing strategic responses to climate change and environmental issues.

Qs and As

How will the COVID-19 crises impact this program and what is the department doing to mitigate?

• GAC is reviewing its operational and planned projects to determine how it can respond to the COVID-19 crisis and help to build the resilience of vulnerable communities, mitigate the impact of the pandemic and support countries to recover better. This includes actively reaching out to program partners to determine the impact of the current crisis on existing projects and on the partners’ capacity to continue to invest into new projects or if there is an opportunity to reorient focus to support climate related COVID recovery.
• IFC, together with the broader World Bank Group (WBG), is developing a corporate approach for dealing with the crisis and staying in close contact with clients to ensure responsiveness. The Bretton Woods Institutions unit, the institutional lead for the WBG within Global Affairs Canada, is closely following this exercise.

What do these funds cover?

• These funds cover contributions funding that invest in initiatives and programs that contribute to climate change efforts in developing countries.

How do you justify these expenditures?

• These expenditures allow Canada to deliver on the commitment made under the 2015 Paris Agreement to support developing countries’ transition to low carbon economies and efforts to adapt to the increasingly severe impacts of climate change. This is in line with the Joint Statement of the Alliance for Multilateralism that was recently signed by numerous member countries including Canada. It states that as we will strive to ‘’recover better’’, our common roadmap remains the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. The investments also support Canada’s commitment made under the 2009 Copenhagen Accord to work with partners to jointly mobilize climate finance from a wide variety of public and private sources, to reach US $100 billion annually by 2020.

Canada Clean Energy and Forest Facility

How does this project advance Canada’s international commitments to developing countries?

• This project delivers on Canada’s commitment to support developing countries, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Support for renewable energy and sustainable forestry will enable both greenhouse gas emissions reductions and help advance adaptation.
• In view of the particular vulnerability of Small Island Developing States to climate change, two components of this initiative target solutions that are well aligned with energy security, resilience and economic growth needs, enhancing their capacity to adapt to climate change

Why should Canada pursue climate action through working with the World Bank?

• The World Bank is one of Canada’s most trusted international partners. Canada, as a key shareholder of the World Bank, has also supported the establishment of strong climate targets for the organization. The World Bank has put in place a strong gender and climate policy that also aligns well with Canada’s priorities. Moreover, the World Bank is already active in all of the countries where this facility will invest. Hence, it has the capacity and can convene the expertise required to achieve the expected outcomes of the Canada Clean Energy and Forestry Facility.

Where is results information available?

• Result information will be provided in the facility’s annual report to GAC. Result information on individual projects funded through this facility will also be available on the World Bank website.

International Fund for Agricultural Development’s Climate Smart Agriculture in Developing Countries

Why should Canada pursue climate action through working with the International Fund for Agricultural Development?

• The International Fund for Agricultural Development focuses exclusively on smallholder farmers in developing countries, a large proportion of whom are women.
• Evidence has shown that global climate finance is not sufficiently addressing climate adaptation needs, and that an even smaller proportion (estimate of 2%) of climate finance is reaching smallholder farmers.
• International Fund for Agricultural Development programming helps to build the resilience of smallholder farmers to the destabilizing impacts of climate change, including extreme weather such as floods and droughts.
• By building resilience, the International Fund for Agricultural Development programming can also help to mitigate climate change through sequestering carbon in agricultural soils, crops, and trees. The International Fund for Agricultural Development is a well-managed and effective organization that contributes to eradicating rural poverty and ending hunger – Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2.
• The International Fund for Agricultural Development is well positioned to meet the growing demand for highly concessional loans and grants, and support climate smart agriculture on a large scale.

How will Global Affairs ensure this project advances Canada’s international commitments to developing countries?

• The International Fund for Agricultural Development is a United Nations specialized agency and international financial institution with a mandate focused exclusively on reducing poverty and food insecurity in rural areas.
• Support will be tailored to country contexts, and could include scaling up programs for low-carbon technologies and renewable energy sources, natural resource management, and expansion of irrigation systems.
• Through its seat on the Executive Board of the International Fund for Agriculture Development, Canada contributes to its overall governance and oversight. Canada has been a key voice for acceleration of the integration of climate considerations into programming.

Funding for Establishing Canadian Climate Funds Focused on the Private Sector

Can you provide an example of a project using this funding?

• As the second phase of the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas (C2F) was just signed in 2019, it is still developing its pipeline. The following are two projects from the first phase of the C2F (part of Fast-Start):

La Castellana and Achiras Wind Projects in Argentina;

• Through the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in the Americas (C2F) project, Canada provided $15 million in concessional finance to the Castellana and Achiras Wind projects in Argentina. Together, both projects are expected to displace close to 330,000 tons of CO2e emissions per year.
• The funding from Canada supported the projects’ environmental and social standards, which included a performance-based incentive program to promote gender equality.
• By demonstrating the commercial viability of wind projects, these two projects have made a positive impact on Argentina’s fight against climate change.
• Just as importantly, these two projects have made a positive contribution to women’s economic empowerment by providing opportunities for young women in fields where they are traditionally under-represented, and by spurring an important conversation on gender equality in the labour market in Argentina.

Pecasa - First wind farm in Dominican Republic

• This project provides clean renewable energy to over 150,000 homes in Monte Cristi province.
• The Canada Climate Change Program contributed $17 million to a $120 million financing package for the construction of a new, grid-connected 50MW wind farm expected to reduce greenhouse gases by about 91,000 tons CO2 equivalent a year— roughly comparable to taking 20,000 cars off the road.
• The project will reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

General

What are some examples of specific initiatives and programs Global Affairs Canada has announced to date?

• Since 2015, Canada has announced over $2 billion to specific initiatives and programs, including $600 million to the Green Climate Fund (of which $350 million is part of the $2.65 billion climate finance commitment).
• The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the largest dedicated international climate fund, helping developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. GCF projects support the poorest and most vulnerable countries, including least developed countries, small island developing states, and African states, in fighting the adverse effects of climate change, as well as mobilizing private sector resources for climate friendly investments
• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) uses performance-based incentives to enhance gender equality: To incentivize their private sector clients to integrate gender equality, the Bank provided lower interest rates if they met agreed-upon targets on gender equality outcomes. As a result of training on gender integration, one company in Argentina increased the number of female workers by 25% in a one-year period. Additional companies increased the percentage of women in the workforce, including by hiring 4 women into positions traditionally held by men and providing internship opportunities for women in STEM. Canada’s policy on gender equality led to an incentive scheme that has demonstrated an ability to spark cultural changes across private sector companies.
• Rapid post disaster payments through drought insurance in Africa: Canada’s $40 million for the African Risk Capacity (ARC) agency helped create the world’s first parametric drought insurance product. Irregular rainfall in 2017 led to water scarcity and reduced productivity that put Mauritania at risk of a nutrition emergency. ARC’s rapid payout of US$2.4 million enabled the government to help close to 70,000 pastoralists and farmers in the aftermath of chronic dry weather.
• Two solar power plants in Zambia produce over 75 megawatts of clean electricity providing energy for more than 27,000 households (equivalent to the power required by 15,000 Canadian homes): Zambia, which had previously been relying on mostly hydropower, combined with recent droughts, was experiencing significantly lower water levels in its reservoirs. The establishment of two solar power plants will help to increase the country’s available generating capacity by 5% and allow water levels in its dams to be restored. Through the Canada Climate Change Program with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Canada is helping to demonstrate the feasibility of solar energy in the country and expand uptake in neighbouring countries.

Climate Change Funding and Commitment

• The below disbursement profile represents funding to advance Global Affairs Canada’s share of the $2.65B Commitment.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Decrease Related To The Funding Received For Renewing Canada’s Middle East Strategy

• Budget 2021 extends Canada’s Middle East Strategy for another year, this includes up to $63.7M in new funding for GAC to support development, security and stabilization activities along with up to $14.2M to support diplomatic engagement. This funding will be sought in future Supplementary Estimates. An additional $213M will be provided by GAC’s existing International Assistance Envelope.
• Budget 2019 included funding up to an additional $1.39 billion over two years (2019-20 and 2020-21) to renew Canada’s engagement in the Middle East
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net decrease of $249.7 million compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates related to the sunset of funding of the Strategy.
• The funding allows Global Affairs Canada to build on its current programming to respond to the crises in Iraq and Syria, address their impact on Lebanon, Jordan and the region, and enhance security and stability in the region.

Supplementary messages

• In total, Global Affairs Canada requested $499.7 million over two years (from 2019-20 to 2020-21) to renew Canada’s Middle East Strategy. Of this total, the department received $250 million in 2019-20 via the 2019 Budget Implementation Vote 45 and the remainder was requested via the 2020-21 Main Estimates.
• The Global Coalition has been effective in its mission to degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
• Going forward, Canada will continue to work with the international community to set the conditions for longer-term security and stability, enable civilian-led stabilization programs and support governance efforts.
• There have been a number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in countries under the Middle East Strategy. Canada is monitoring the situation in the region, particularly concerning the impact an outbreak could have on stability.

Expected results

• Canada’s renewed Middle East Strategy is working to:
  • provide gender-sensitive humanitarian assistance to the over 18 million people in Syria and Iraq who are in dire need;
  • build the resilience of communities and governments in Jordan and Lebanon to help them shoulder the burden of hosting approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees;
  • foster social cohesion, build livelihoods, restore services and basic infrastructure, and support demining operations to help more of the 8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Iraq and Syria to safely return home;
  • increase stability by sustained efforts to improve inclusive governance; and,
  • support the Global Coalition Against Daesh, strengthen counter-terrorism capacity, and combat the acquisition and use of weapons of mass destruction to mitigate the threat of terrorism and violent extremism to Canada, our partners, and the region.

Results to date

• Through the Middle East Strategy, Canada contributed to the following results with the support of coalition partners:
  • Over 7.7 million people, and all of the territory once held by Daesh in Iraq and Syria, have been freed from Daesh’s control;
  • More than 19.2 million square meters of land have been cleared of explosives, allowing displaced persons to safely return home;
  • Security forces in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon have received specialized advice, training and equipment to detect and address security threats in the region;
  • Canadian humanitarian and development assistance has enabled humanitarian partners to provide 5.3 million people with emergency food assistance on a monthly basis and training and financial support to 3,600 public schools in Jordan.
  • Canadian funding supported the delivery of adolescent sexual and reproductive health services to approximately 1,435,000 beneficiaries in Syria, 52,000 in Iraq, 30,000 in Jordan and 6,000 in Lebanon. Over 300,000 women and girls were provided reproductive health services or support to prevent gender-based violence in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
• The Middle East Strategy Coordination Secretariat at Global Affairs Canada has a comprehensive results-based management approach supported by an evergreen horizontal Logic Model and Performance Management Framework that organize and track the results achieved by Global Affairs Canada and other government departments.
• These results are reported through bi-annual and annual reports, which are overseen by a DG-level Middle East Strategy Steering Committee that can adjust operations as necessary. Results are also reported through the annual Departmental Results Report.

Supporting facts and figures

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $499.7 million over two years (from 2019-20 to 2020-21) to renew Canada’s Middle East Strategy. Of this total, $250 million was requested in 2019-20 via the 2019 Budget Implementation Vote 45 and the remainder was requested via the 2020-21 Main Estimates.

Allocation by Core Responsibility

Background

• Budget 2019 confirmed the Government’s plan to provide up to an additional $1.39 billion over two years, starting in 2019-20.
• Of this amount, $967.9 million was provided from the fiscal framework and $426 million sourced from Global Affairs Canada’s existing International Assistance Envelope (IAE) resources. The overall funding was allocated as follows:
  • $926 million to support humanitarian, development, stabilization and security, and diplomatic activities ($500 million from the fiscal framework and $426 million from existing IAE resources);
  • $442 million to renew Operation IMPACT, Canada’s military contribution; and
  • $25.9 million to support intelligence activities.

Qs & As

What did these funds cover?

• This funding build on results achieved to date and will sustain programming over the two-year horizon. It will focus on three key pillars: security and stabilization, humanitarian and resilience-building assistance and diplomatic engagement. Funding will be allocated as follows:
  • Humanitarian Assistance Programming - $330 million;
  • Development Assistance - $80 million ;
  • Peace and Stabilization Operations Programming - $38.2 million;
  • Counter-Terrorism Capacity-Building Programming - $10 million.
• A total of $41.2 million in Vote 1 operating was allocated to fund 54 FTEs abroad and at HQ, and other related operating expenses.

How has the COVID-19 virus affected the Strategy?

• The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the Middle East and poses a threat to the stability in the region. There have been a number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in countries under the Middle East Strategy.
• Countries such as Lebanon with already existing food shortages and a weak economy have instituted lockdowns to limit the spread of the virus, which were met with protests. Iraq has been affected with the collapse in global oil prices due to a global lack in demand, with its revenues dropping by nearly 50% in the first six months of 2020.
• Canada is monitoring the situation closely, particularly the impact an outbreak could have on the stability of the region, and urges individuals and governments to work together to reduce the spread of the virus.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Decrease related to funding received in previous years to implement the Feminist International Assistance

Agenda

• Budget 2018 provided $2.0 billion in new resources over five years to the International Assistance Envelope to accelerate the impact of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
• Budget 2018 also allocated $1.5 billion over five years for the creation of the International Assistance Innovation Program and the Sovereign Loans Program, and $72.8 million per year on an ongoing basis to support the Weapons Threat Reduction Program.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net decrease of $124.5 million compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda.
• The funding will allow Global Affairs Canada to address interrelated global challenges in the interest of the poorest and most vulnerable and to prevent Weapons of Mass Destruction proliferation.

Supplementary messages

• In total, Global Affairs Canada is requesting $698.9 million in 2021-22 compared to $823.4 million in 2020-21 to further the implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).
• The $698.9 million is broken down as follows:
• In 2021-22, $504.3 million of International Assistance Envelope (IAE) resources will support initiatives in the following four priority areas, aligned with the FIAP and Canada’s commitments:
  • regularize humanitarian assistance and apply gender-responsive approach to humanitarian action;
  • breakdown barriers to girls, adolescent girls and women's empowerment;
  • project Canadian leadership and deploy Canadian expertise; and
  • augment Canada's support to Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Decrease of $89.0 million due to a change in the funding profile to move $195.0 million into 2020-21 to support the establishment of the Equality Fund, an initiative that aims to mobilize resources from the private sector and philanthropic organizations to create a sustainable and predictable source of funding for women’s organizations and movements in developing countries.The funding was reprofiled from 2021-22 ($89.0 million) and 2022-23 ($106.0 million) to 2020-21 ($195.0 million). The variance between 2020-21 and 2021-22 represents $284.0 million which is composed of $195.0 million in 2020-21 and the amount of ($89.0) million taken out from 2021-22.
• $200.6 million will support the implementation of the International Assistance Innovation Program (IAIP). Initiatives pursued under this program will support innovative approaches and partnerships, including with the private and public sectors.
• $10.0 million will allow the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program – Sahel to be better equipped to sustain longer-term programming in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin region as well as in Kenya and Somalia to reduce security threats from existing and emerging terrorist and violent extremist organizations.
• $73.0 million will allow Global Affairs Canada to work with partner countries, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to implement concrete projects aimed at preventing proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

Results

• The increased resources for the IAE will help to support the achievement of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. It will also address the significant demands on Canada’s International Assistance Envelope, including calls by stakeholders for the Government to increase its Official Development Assistance (ODA).
• The Equality Fund will:
  • strengthen the institutional capacity of women’s organizations to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate their programs and services;
  • combine Canadian leadership on gender equality with leadership and expertise on innovative financing for development to create a global platform and leverage diverse partnerships for greater collective impact;
  • increase the capacity of women’s rights organizations and movements to build alliances and advocate for the rights, interests, participation of women and girls, particularly the poorest, most marginalized and most vulnerable;
  • improved social and economic well-being of women and girls in countries where Canada engages.
• The International Assistance Innovation Program will provide Global Affairs Canada with greater flexibility in its programming by enabling the mobilization of public and private sector resources in support of the Sustainable Development Goals through collaborative approaches to complex development challenges.
• The Sovereign Loans Program will enable Canada to provide low interest rate sovereign loans to eligible recipients with concessional terms, thereby enhancing developing countries’ capacity to make important investments in poverty reduction, peace and security, while recognizing their relative ability to pay.
• Through the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program – Sahel, Global Affairs Canada will contribute to preventing, detecting and responding to terrorism in Sahel and Lake Chad Basin as well as Kenya and Somalia, which in turn will contribute to improved peace and security.
• Funding for the Weapons Threat Reduction Program (WTRP) will enable Canada to continue as a leader in mitigating threats to peace and security, especially the proliferation and use of WMD and related materials.
• The WTRP will support several projects including:
  • The second phase of a project led by the International Atomic Energy Agency to develop Nuclear Regulatory Infrastructure in Latin America.
  • Support to the upgrades to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Laboratories to increase verification research.
  • Support to other Government departments' participation in the WTRP program. For example, the deployment of RCMP officers to provide training in recipient countries.

Supporting facts and figures

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada is requesting $698.9 million in the 2021-22 Main Estimates to further the implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy, resulting in a net decrease of $124.5 million when compared with the 2020- 21 Main Estimates. The net decrease of $124.5 million includes a decrease of$129.9 million in grants and contributions (Vote 10), an increase of $5.1 million in operating expenditures (Vote 1) and an increase of $0.3 million for employee benefit plan. The total decrease of $124.5 million is due to: a decrease of $284.0 million related to the reprofile of funding for the establishment of the Equality Fund, an increase of $9.9 million for Counter Terrorism Capacity Building – Sahel, an increase of $55.7 million for Innovative Financing Programs to support International Assistance, an increase of $93.8 million to support the Feminist International Assistance Policy and an increase of $0.1 million for the Weapons Threat Reduction Program;

Allocation by Core Responsibility

Funding to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $2.0 billion over five years (from 2018- 19 to 2022-23) and $587.4 million ongoing, to accelerate the implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy. Of this total, $504.3 million was requested via the 2021-22 Main Estimates.

Funding for the establishment of the Equality Fund

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $300.0 million over two years (2019-20 to 2020-21) for the establishment of the Equality Fund. The funding was reprofiled from 2021-22 ($89.0 million) and 2022-23 ($106.0 million) to 2020-21 ($195.0 million).

Funding for Innovative Financing Programs to support International Assistance

• In total, (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $1.5 billion over five years (from 2019- 20 to 2023-24) and $515.2 million ongoing to support the new Innovative Finance Programs. Of this total, $200.6 million was requested via the 2021-22 Main Estimates for the International Assistance Innovation Program (IAIP).

Funding for the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program – Sahel

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $49.9 million over five years (from 2020-21 to 2024-25) and $10.0 million ongoing to respond to threats from violent extremist groups activities in that area. Of this total, Global Affairs Canada received $10.0 million via the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (A) and the remainder was requested via the 2021-22 Main Estimates.

Funding for the Weapons Threat Reduction Programs

• In total, (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $364 million over five years (from 2018-19 to 2022-23) and $72.8 million ongoing to support the Weapons Threat Reduction Program (WTRP). Of this total, $73.0 million was requested via the 2021-22 Main Estimates.

Background

• Through Budget 2018, the Government of Canada allocated $2 billion over five years to the IAE to accelerate the impact of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy; $1.5 billion over five years for Global Affairs Canada to manage the “International Assistance Innovation Program” and the “Sovereign Loans Program”; and $72.8 million per year on an ongoing basis to implement projects aimed at preventing Weapons of Mass Destruction proliferation through the WRTP.
• The Feminist International Assistance Policy has positioned Canada at the vanguard of global efforts to eradicate poverty and contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world, and to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The Policy recognizes that supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the best way to achieve these goals.
• The Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program was established in 2005 with an ongoing funding of $13.0 million annually as part of Canada’s contribution and commitment to peace, security and stability in the world. The funding provides States, government entities and other international non-governmental organizations with technical and legal assistance to strengthen their capacity to prevent and respond to terrorist and violent extremist activity.
• In 2010 and 2016, an additional envelope was granted to the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program to provide training, equipment and technical assistance to countries in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin region to respond to threats from violent extremist groups activities in that area. Budget 2018 renewed the funding for the Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program for Sahel and Lake Chad Basin region and provided $10.0 million annually and on an ongoing basis.

Qs and As

How will the current COVID-19 crisis impact Canada’s effort on these initiatives and what is the department doing to mitigate?

• The Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program’s implementing partners have deferred, cancelled, re-adjusted and/or, re-purposed programming accordingly in support of COVID restrictions. While not all activities have unfolded as planned, many have been readjusted to virtual or mixed model of delivery to enable the continuation of capacity building.

How will Global Affairs Canada measure the impact of the additional $2.0 billion over five years on the FIAP implementation?

• The increase to the international assistance envelop will help Canada demonstrate greater leadership in key priority areas, and will contribute to improving the predictability of Canada’s Official Development Assistance, which is an important factor in maximizing development impact at the country-level. Global Affairs Canada will monitor the international assistance results achieved with its international assistance funding, through indicators aligned to Feminist International Assistance Policy, such as:
  • Number of people reached with humanitarian assistance and protection activities.
  • Number of countries, where GAC engages, that show a decrease in the adolescent fertility rate (number of births/1000 women)
  • Primary and lower-secondary school completion rate in countries where GAC engages.
  • Megatons of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent) reduced or avoided through Canadian government contributions.

How will Global Affairs Canada achieve Canada’s G7 commitment on Quality Education for Girls, Adolescent Girls and Women in Developing Countries?

• Canada has a strong track record of programming in education on which to build. Canada’s funding to education helps to train teachers, build and rehabilitate classrooms and latrines, provide textbooks and learning material, and strengthen education systems, with a view to helping boys and girls to access and stay in school. The additional funding for education will contribute to:
  • Increase and improve inclusive and equitable quality education for girls and women in crisis and conflict situations;
  • Reduce the barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing education and skills-development in crisis and conflict situations;
  • Promote education as a means to achieve the empowerment and economic equality of girls and women in crisis and conflict situations

Why establish the Equality Fund?

• The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report, “Donor Support to Southern Women's Rights Organisations”, identified a significant funding gap to women’s organizations in developing countries. The Equality Fund initiative aims to contribute to addressing this gap by creating a flexible and sustainable source of funding to women’s organizations and movements. It also aims to ensure that funding is effective by providing capacity building technical assistance to recipient organizations.

How is International Assistance Innovation Program support different from traditional support (grants and contributions) offered by Global Affairs Canada?

• Unlike traditional grants and contributions, investments made under the International Assistance Innovation Program and Sovereign Loans Program are expected to be repaid, with possible consideration of below market terms. It is through the use of this concessionality that the programs hope to mobilize additional public and private sector investment in development.

How will International Assistance Innovation Program initiatives be assessed?

• All initiatives will be assessed for sustainable development impact, additionality, financial sustainability, and minimum concessionality.

Have the programs supported any projects to date?

• The programs were officially launched in July 2019. Global Affairs Canada is now in the process of finalizing initial transactions for the International Assistance Innovation Program and the Sovereign Loans Program. Note that the Sovereign Loans Program was not expected to disburse any funds until 2020-2021.

Could you please provide a few examples of what the innovative finance program funding (Vote 10) will be used for?

• A concrete example of an innovative finance project is the $12.5M contribution Canada is providing to the African Guarantee Fund for the AFAWA (Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa) initiative. This project to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs in Africa was announced at the 2019 Biarritz G7 Summit. Due diligence and approvals are currently being finalized.
• Other potential initiatives have been identified for the Programs. As these are still under consideration for approval, further information is not yet available.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Decrease in the current funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program

• The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) is the Government’s principal platform for conflict prevention, stabilization and peacebuilding. The Program contributes to improved peace, security and stability for all people in fragile and conflict-affected states.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net decrease of $57.0 million compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates in the current funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program.
• The decrease aligns with the original planned funding profile for these initiatives.

Supplementary messages

• The net decrease of $57.0 million broken down as follows:
• A decrease of $55.0 for the Renewed Approach to Canada’s Development Assistance and Security Sector Support to Afghanistan; and
• A decrease of $2.0 million for Canada’s Contribution to United Nations Peace Operations.
• Security and political stability are key to Afghanistan’s ability to meet its citizens’ basic needs, strengthen sustainable economic growth, and reduce its aid dependency.
• Funding for the Afghan Nation Defence and Security Forces builds capacity, including the recruitment, training and retention of women in Afghanistan’s security sector, ensuring respect for international humanitarian law, and the better protection of civilians.
• Canada’s contribution to United Nations peace operations aligns with a number of Government priorities, as outlined in Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy, Canada’s Defence Policy (Strong Secure Engaged), Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, and Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
• Current funding aims to support and improve the effectiveness of United Nations peace operations through four main lines of effort:
  • the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations;
  • provision of high-value military capabilities through a series of “smart pledges” (in collaboration with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces);
  • innovative training for military, police and civilians deploying or deployed to UN peace operations; and
  • increased political and diplomatic engagement in support of Canada’s priorities for UN peace operations, including the implementation of the Vancouver Principles on Child Soldiers

Results

• Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations: The Elsie Initiative has made significant progress since its establishment in 2017, with all components launched. To date, Canada has established bilateral partnerships with the Ghana Armed Forces, the Zambia Police Service, and the Armed Forces of Senegal; worked with the UN to design and launch the Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations to test the effectiveness of financial incentives on uniformed women’s participation, with the first funding recipients announced; developed and publicly released a comprehensive methodology to identify barriers to women’s integration in military and police institutions; supported the UN to create receptive environments in UN peace operations, including the development of gender-responsive guidelines for physical mission infrastructure; funded cutting-edge research on challenges facing women personnel; conducted advocacy around the world; and successfully negotiated normative language in key UN documents on the basis of interim findings.
• The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program leads on international advocacy and implementation of the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers. Targeted advocacy has led to 99 endorsements by UN Member States, including leading UN troop and police contributors, as of mid-February 2021. Work is currently underway to operationalize implementation of the Principles across the UN system and with endorsing States. The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program has also successfully advocated at the UN for the inclusion of child protection activities in key UN peace operations mandates, including UNITAMS.
• Provision of high-value military capabilities: The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program continues to support the deployment of DND/CAF military capabilities to peace operations. In particular, the program is facilitating the ongoing deployment of the Tactical Airlift (TAL) Detachment in support of UN missions from the UN Regional Services Centre Entebbe, in Uganda, through engagement with the UN, host governments and Canadian missions on the ground; and coordinates with DND the Inter-Departmental Task Force on the implementation of Canada's commitments to UN peace operations.
• Innovative Training for Peace Operations: Since 2017, the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program has supported a number of initiatives to make peace operations more efficient and effective. This includes providing training in key areas such as leadership, counter-improvised explosive devices (IEDs), medical and operations; increasing the participation of women peacekeepers; increasing the capacity of UN missions to implement the Women Peace and Security agenda; developing e-learning platforms to make training available to peacekeepers around the world (expanded in the current COVID context); and ensuring francophone peacekeepers have access to key UN documents in French by funding their translation. This support is in direct response to the key capability gaps identified by the UN Department of Peace Operations and the result of consistent diplomatic engagement with the UN and key partners.
• Increased political and diplomatic engagement on peace operations: The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program supports Canada’s high-level, diplomatic engagement with non-government entities, the UN and partner countries, both on specific projects and on the broader policy framework enabling Canada’s international work on peace operations. For example, the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program provided assistance to DND, including through extensive diplomatic engagement with the UN and local partners, to facilitate the deployment of an Air Task Force to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from 15 August 2018 to 31 August 2019. The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program has also successfully supported advocacy efforts at the UN to streamline the UN Secretary General’s Agenda for Peacekeeping, Women in Peace and Security, and Child Protection. For example, as Chair of the Working Group of the Whole of the UN General Assembly’s Special committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34), Canada helped produce the most effective C-34 report in recent memory, ensuring alignment with the Action for Peacekeeping reform agenda; gender mainstreaming throughout; strong language on Women Peace and Security, the protection of civilians, and human rights, as well as reforms to improve peacekeeping performance and accountability.

Afghanistan Program

• Funding to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund (ANATF) helped to assist in the future stability of a secure and democratic Afghanistan and ensure that the Afghan Nation Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) are sufficiently trained and equipped to fulfill their responsibilities for Afghanistan’s national security. This support included: training in human rights compliance, capacity building and security forces professionalization; recruitment and retention of women in the Afghan Nation Defense and Security Forces and building and maintaining infrastructure.
• The Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) assisted the Afghan government in building and maintaining a professional police force, and implementing the reform priorities of the Ministry of Interior Affairs. The Fund increased the effectiveness and accountability of security service delivery, improves justice service delivery for all Afghans (particularly vulnerable groups), and strengthened legal and institutional framework to combat corruption.

Supporting facts and figures

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), the 2021-22 Main Estimates will have a net decrease of $57.0 million compared with the 2020-21 Main Estimates for the the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program.

Allocation by Core Responsibility

Renewed Approach to Canada’s Development Assistance and Security Sector Support to Afghanistan

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $137.5 million over three years (from 2018-19 to 2020-21) for the Renewed Approach to Canada’s Development Assistance and Security Sector Support to Afghanistan via the 2018-19 Annual Reference Level Update.

Canada’s Contribution to United Nations Peace Operations

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $45.8 million over three years (from 2019-20 to 2021-22) for Canada’s Contribution to United Nations Peace Operations via the 2019-20 Annual Reference Level Update.

Background

• The Government of Canada has committed to reasserting Canada’s leadership in the world with a strong emphasis on a renewed role in international peace and security. Canada focuses its efforts on the empowerment of women and girls, the promotion of gender equality, and the protection of their human rights in fragile and conflict-affected states.
• Global Affairs Canada’s core mandate includes implementing programs to foster peace and security, reduce poverty and increase opportunity for people around the world, including women and girls, and to reduce suffering in humanitarian crises. This includes Canadian involvement in fragile and conflict-affected states and leading whole-of-Government engagements in complex political-security crises.
• The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program has two core responsibilities:
  • (1) providing policy leadership on peace and stabilization; and,
  • (2) delivering conflict prevention, stabilization and peacebuilding initiatives through both projects and deployments.
• The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program leads on the implementation of Canada’s Contribution to United Nations peace operations, which is a key element the Program’s mandate and results framework.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Funding For The Duty Of Care Special Purpose Allotment To Support Mission Security Abroad

• The 2017 Fall Economic Statement provided ongoing funding to Global Affairs Canada to ensure the Government fulfilled its duty of care obligations in protecting Canada’s missions and people abroad.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net decrease of $31.7 million compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad.
• The use of a Special Purpose Allotment (SPA) is to restrict the use of a portion of funds to a specific purpose, in this case, ensuring Global Affairs Canada’s ability to reach program objectives under its Duty of Care obligation.

Supplementary messages

• The COVID-19 outbreak continues to have a significant impact on Global Affairs Canada’s operations due to international and local travel restrictions, confinement measures and on-site work limitations. As a result, several activities have been cancelled or postponed in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
• In total, Global Affairs Canada is requesting $167.1 million in 2021-22 compared to $198.8 million in 2020-21 for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad.
• The decrease of $31.7 million is due to the variation of several budget line items, notably:
  • A $26.7 million decrease due to the reprofile of the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment;
  • A $12 million decrease in funding for Duty of Care from its original 2018- 19 annual reference levels update request;
  • An increase of $3.6 million increase in funding for the Colombo Chancery Relocation project;
  • An increase of $3.5 million attributed to quasi-statutory adjustments, collective bargaining, etc.
• Funding for Duty of Care initiatives reported outside the Duty of Care SPA are not part of the identified decrease (e.g. a portion of internal services and employee benefit plans).
• The need for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment funding reprofile is due to the:
  • Reprogramming of work that has been postponed to future years;
  • Capital, operational and capacity requirements resulting from the feasibility studies conducted for physical security enhancement projects, seismic enhancement projects and relocations; and
  • Funding of new identified pressures such as increasing procurement capacity to deliver Duty of Care initiatives, providing missions with the necessary provisions to establish alternate command posts and to procure emergency supplies in the event of emergencies, the temporary co- location of the Moscow chancery, and allocating resources for human resource emergency management and critical emergency response oversight.
• The revised funding profile for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment is aligned with the requirements over the next five years as reflected in the Departmental Security Investment Plan.
• The Departmental Security Investment Plan was developed following annual five-year planning exercise, which result in updated financial forecast for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment initiatives up to 2024-25.

Results

• Ensuring the safety of our people and facilities is both a moral and legal imperative. The proposed investments will continue to improve Canada’s security posture abroad by:
  • Protecting people through infrastructure (e.g. minor security upgrades and feasibility studies for major infrastructure projects, etc.);
  • Protecting people through enhancing mission readiness (e.g. security personnel, equipment and training, etc.);
  • Protecting people through securing information (e.g. threat-related intelligence, classified information technology networks, and bandwidth, etc.); and
  • Protection of people in Kabul mission operations in Kabul (e.g. competitive security guard services contract).
  • Through the Colombo Chancery Relocation project, Global Affairs Canada will design a long-term accommodation solution for Canada’s chancery in Colombo to ensure a secure working environment by meeting current day security codes and standards.

Supporting facts and figures

• In total, Global Affairs Canada’s 2021-22 Main Estimates will have a net decrease of $31.7 million compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad.

Allocation by Core Responsibility

Funding Reprofile for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment

• Global Affairs Canada sought an $83.1 million reprofile of the Duty of Care funding via the 2020-21 Annual Reference Level Update from fiscal year 2017-18 ($56.4 million within the Fiscal Framework and $26.7 million within existing reference levels).

Funding for Duty of Care to support mission security abroad

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $1,162.0 million over ten years (from 2017-18 to 2026-27) and $103.2 million ongoing for the Duty of Care to support mission security abroad via the 2018-19 Annual Reference Level Update.

Funding for the Colombo Chancery Relocation project

• In total (excluding PWGSC Accommodations and SSC Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada was allocated $5.6 million over three years (from 2019-20 to 2021-22) to support the Colombo Chancery Relocation. Of this total, Global Affairs Canada received $654,391 via the 2019-20 Supplementary Estimates (A) and the remainder was requested via the 2020-21 Main Estimates.

Background

• Under the Canada Labour Code, the Government of Canada has a duty of care obligation to keep its employees working abroad reasonably safe from risks in their chanceries, staff quarters and when travelling. As per the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, this accountability falls to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is responsible for “the management of Canada’s diplomatic and consular missions.”
• Global Affairs Canada is the lead department responsible for coordinating international affairs, trade and development on behalf of the Government of Canada and serves as the government's common services provider overseas.
• The approval of the Duty of Care Memorandum to Cabinet and Treasury Board Submission signaled a long-term commitment by the Government of Canada to improve physical and operational security at missions abroad as well as seismic protection, thereby enhancing the personal safety of staff at missions.
• The Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment is an amalgamation of the following three initiatives: Mission Security, Strengthening Security at Missions Abroad, and Duty of Care.
• Since 2007, all facilities on the Colombo site have been deteriorating into very poor condition due to humidity, rain, and moisture infiltration into the structures. Due to dilapidated building condition, the facility no longer meets the requirements of Part II of the Canada Labour Code, the National Building Code of Canada or the Treasury Board Policy on Occupational Safety and Health. Mitigation efforts were unsuccessful in resolving the deterioration problems.
• To meet its Duty of Care obligation, the Department is currently undertaking some minor projects with the mission to address deficiencies where possible. Most of the security deficiencies can only be addressed through a relocation. A long-term accommodation solution is required to ensure the Mission can vacate its interim premises and continue to deliver its critical mandate.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Adjustment related to the cost of assessed contributions due to changes in the international organizations' budgets and the impact of currency fluctuations Resulting from the payment in the prescribed foreign currency of these contributions

• The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net increase of $18.7 million due to changes in the international organization’s budget and the impact of currency fluctuations resulting from the payment of the contributions in foreign currencies.
• The increase is due to the following three factors:
  • Increase in the size of the organizations' budgets;
  • Increase in Canada's rates of assessment (usually calculated on the basis of per capita GDP); and
  • Losses resulting from changes in the rate of exchange.
• On behalf of the Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada pays annual assessments to 58 international organizations including 12 that relate to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Supplementary messages

• Assessed contributions are treaty-based membership fees for international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
• In order to maintain membership in these international organizations, Canada receives an annual assessment for the cost of these organizations.
• Global Affairs Canada, on behalf of Canada, is responsible for paying these annual assessments. The assessments vary each year due to fluctuating foreign currency rates (most assessments are in USD or Euro), changes to the organizations’ budgets, and adjustments to Canada’s rate of assessment.

Supporting facts and figures

• In total, Global Affairs Canada is proposing an increase of $28.8 million to the cost of assessed contributions in 2021-22. This is mainly due to the following three factors:
  • $0.8 million increase in the size of the organizations' budgets;
  • $7.5 million increase in Canada's rates of assessment (usually calculated on the basis of per capita GDP); and
  • $20.4 million increase due to losses resulting from changes in the rate of exchange.
• Of this total, $10.1 million (ODA portion) will be reflected as an internal budget transfer in the reference level process within Vote 10 (Grants & Contributions).
• The Official Development Assistance (ODA) adjustments fall within the purview of the International Assistance Envelope and, as such, adjustments are made internally via transfers to/from development funds through the Annual Reference Level Update.

Background

• The assessed contributions represent Canada’s membership to international organizations which are paid in foreign currencies. The cost of membership in international organizations is determined by each organization and is an obligation of membership. Most international organizations are funded by assessed contributions based on a formula agreed to by all members. These assessed contributions are accepted as treaty obligations and are legal commitments of the Government of Canada.
• Global Affairs Canada vigorously pursues a policy of zero-nominal growth in budget discussions in international organizations. Canada is aligned, particularly in the United Nations system of specialized agencies, with other like-minded countries in systematically seeking more efficient management of these organizations.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Funding For Compensation Related To Collective Agreements

• The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net increase of $17.9 million compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates for compensation related to collective agreements.
• The amount includes the eligible funding for newly signed collective agreements and other compensation.
• In accordance with information communicated to departments from Treasury Board Secretariat, Global Affairs Canada is receiving incremental funding in 2020-21 and future years.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada will be receiving:
  • $84.3 million over five years (from 2020-21 to 2024-25) and $13.2 million per year ongoing to compensate for the impact signed collective agreements for Canada-based staff taking effect for the followingemployee groups: Education and Library Science (EB); Program and Administrative Services (PA); Operational Services (SV); and, Technical Services (TC).
  • $113.1 million over five years (from 2019-20 to 2023-24) and $25.1 million per year ongoing to compensate for the impact signed collective agreements for Canada-based staff taking effect for the following employee groups : Audit, Commerce and Purchasing (AV), Economics and Social Sciences Services (EC), Electronics (EL), Financial Administration (FI), Foreign Service (FS), Human Resources Management (HR), Law Practitioner (LP), Architecture, Engineering and Land Survey (NR), Compensation Advisor Incentive Package, Research (RE), and Applied Science and Patent Examination (SP).

Supporting facts and figures

Background

• The Compensation Reserve group prepares a base payroll snapshot from the Public Service and Procurement Canada’s pay files ahead of each round of bargaining. The snapshot is taken immediately before a new round of collective bargaining starts. The snapshot that is used in the calculations of the impacts of economic increases, market adjustments and restructures for all departments, agencies and crown corporations is from March 2018. This time period was chosen because it provided an accurate representation of the wage base at the end of the previous round of bargaining.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Funding For Currency Exchange Fluctuations on Expenditures at Missions Abroad

• The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net increase of $15.5 million relating to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad.
• To ensure that Global Affairs Canada maintains its purchasing power, and is not positively or negatively impacted by foreign exchange rate fluctuations, Global Affairs Canada’s budget is adjusted for currency fluctuations on an annual basis.

Supplementary messages

• The purpose of the adjustment is to ensure that Global Affairs Canada maintains its purchasing power on items that are impacted by currency fluctuations including:
  • Locally engaged staff (LES) salaries, and
  • Operating expenditures at mission abroad, including those managed at headquarters.
• Currency gains are returned to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and reimbursement for currency losses are sought through the Supplementary Estimates and the Annual Reference Level Update.

Supporting facts and figures

• Overall, the Department requested an ongoing increase of $16.2 million to maintain funding requirements for operating costs.
• Of this amount, $15.5 million was received from the fiscal framework and $0.7 million from Global Affairs Canada’s Vote 10 (Grants and Contributions) to cover the Official Development Assistance (ODA) portion.

Background

• In recognition of the fact that currency rate fluctuations can affect the Department's purchasing power abroad, Global Affairs Canada and Treasury Board are parties to a longstanding arrangement whereby Global Affairs Canada is annually compensated for net currency losses experienced abroad and, conversely, "returns" any net currency gains to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This way, Global Affairs Canada neither loses nor gains simply as a result of changes in the relative value of the Canadian dollar vis-à-vis the foreign currencies in which its missions operate.
• Currency adjustments are made on two occasions each year, if required. The first adjustment is made annually through the Annual Reference Level Update and is intended to adjust departmental budgets to reflect changes in foreign exchange rates for the period since the previous year's Annual Reference Level Update. The second occasion for making currency adjustments is through Supplementary Estimates to accommodate "in-year" fluctuations. Fluctuations within a fiscal year represent the difference between the actual exchange rates that were in effect throughout the fiscal year when individual payments are issued, and the "base rates" that were established for that year through the Annual Reference Level Update.
• The funding requirements for operating costs are maintained in Canadian dollars. As such, the currency adjustment of the current year (included in Supplementary Estimates C) is based on the forecast of currency gains/losses that will be incurred for the current fiscal year (in this case 2020-21).

2021-22 Main Estimates - Funding for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada

• The 2021-22 Main Estimates include a net increase of $14.4 million compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada.
• The Program was transferred to Global Affairs Canada from Treasury Board Secretariat effective January 1, 2012 at an annual base funding level of $50.8 million. However, annual costs, as evidenced by actual expenditures both prior and subsequent to the transfer, have consistently exceeded the current base funding level.
• As a result of the current year increase of $34.7 million, Global Affairs Canada’s annual base budget for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada (Vote 15) would go from $50,779,000 to $85,473,000 for fiscal year 2021-22.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada manages Locally Engaged Staff Pension, Insurance and Social Security Program. The Program consists of pension and insurance plans and affiliation with local social security.
• Locally Engaged Staff pension and insurance plans are established when required by local law; are comparable to other employers within each country. The Government of Canada participates in local social security systems unless there is a good reason not to.

Supporting facts and figures

• Program approved budget for 2020-21 is $71.0 million. The incremental funding of $20.2 million above the reference level for fiscal year 2020-21 was approved through the 2020-21 Annual Reference Level Update. Funding requirements for 2021-22 and 2022-23 were requested through the 2021-22 Annual Reference Level Update (Quasi-Statutory process) to allow Global Affairs Canada to meet the expenditure requirements of the current Program on behalf of Treasury Board as the Employer and the Government of Canada as the sponsor of the plans.
• The request for 2021-22 represents an increase of $34.7 million over the Vote 15 ongoing reference level of $50.8 million and an increase of $14.4 million over the approved budget for 2020-21. The Vote 15 is comprised of the three following components: Social Security costs, Pension costs and Insurance costs. Specifically:
  • Social security costs have gradually increased since the Program’s transfer in 2012. These costs are levied by local governments and are a function of local political decisions and economic factors. Social security costs are responsible for 23.0% (or approximately $8.0 million) of the incremental funding request above the Vote 15 reference level. This includes a one-time cost of $1.7 million in retroactive social security payments to ensure compliance of our missions with legislation in local jurisdictions. Social security costs are expected to increase by approximately $4.7 million or 20.4% over the social security budget for 2020-21.
  • Pension cost includes costs related to both the “Pension Scheme” and local employer pension plans, together representing 44.0% (or approximately $15.3 million) of the incremental funding request above the Vote 15 reference level. Pension costs are expected to increase by approximately $7.0 million or 25.7% over the pension budget for 2020-21:
    • Pension Scheme for Employees of the Government of Canada Locally- Engaged Outside of Canada, 1996 (Pension Scheme) is a Government of Canada provided pay-as-you-go plan, which provides a lump sum benefit upon eligible end of service. Although the Pension Scheme costs are relatively stable, they are relative to the number of expected retirements in the year, and the amount payable is a factor of salary, which is subject to incremental increases. These costs are difficult to anticipate given that payment requirements are not known in advance.
    • Locally established Employer sponsored pension plans include both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution plans (DC). Estimated DB costs are based on the actuarial valuation of the plans performed by the plan actuary based on legislated funding requirements. In the case of DB pension plans, in low interest rate environments, plan liabilities increase which result in higher employer contribution requirements. In addition, pension plan assets invested in securities markets are subject to fluctuation, which affects pension funding and therefore contribution requirements. Employer contributions to DC plans are estimated as a percentage of salary and increase as a function of membership and salaries. These factors are all subject to local law and practice.
• Insurance costs vary according to membership, local medical inflation, claims experience and changes in local regulatory requirements. Insurance costs represent 33.0% (or approximately $11.4 million) of the incremental funding request above the Vote 15 reference level. Insurance costs are expected to increase by approximately $2.7 million or 13.2% over the insurance budget for 2020-21.
• The Vote 15 requirement to meet existing needs is not static and is subject to many variables. As such, in addition to the funding requirements for 2021-22 and 2022- 23, approved funding of $20.2 million for 2023-24 and ongoing is anticipated to be an interim step in funding ongoing requirements, regularizing the difference between the initial transfer amount and actual funding requirements at that time. Further adjustments will be made to anticipated future year funding requirements in accordance to established methodology and practice.
• The table below shows the situation of the last 3 years. The 2018-19 Supplementary Estimates includes an incremental amount of $18.0 million not approved at the moment of the Main Estimates and $0.8M related to currency fluctuations.

• The table below shows the situation of the current fiscal year 2020-21. The projected surplus of $1.3 million is related to the request in the Supplementary Estimates for the currency fluctuations. The Canadian dollar has risen in value since the request in the Supplementary Estimates which explains the projected surplus of 1.3 million.

• Total incremental request for LES Pension Benefits is broken down as follows:

Background

• In support of the Government of Canada’s international priorities, employees are hired locally at Canada’s diplomatic and consular missions worldwide. The Government of Canada employs approximately 5,700 Locally Engaged Staff in diplomatic missions abroad.
• Locally Engaged Staff are a distinct group of employees of the Government of Canada that are not part of the Canadian Public Service. Locally Engaged Staff are employed by Heads of Mission abroad according to foreign host government legislation.
• Locally Engaged Staff compensation is determined locally, and pension and insurance benefits and local social security affiliation form an integral part of the compensation package. Canada is obligated to provide local legally compliant pension, insurance and social security benefits.
• Vote 15, a quasi-statutory Vote, is used to pay employer costs related to Locally Engaged Staff pension, insurance and social security benefit. Such program expenditures include contributions to pension plans, premiums to insurance coverage, premiums to local social security and costs related to plan management such as accountants, actuaries, fund managers and other third party providers.
• Program expenditures progressively increase and therefore exceed the reference level due to factors that are inherent to employee benefit plans and that are not internally controlled, such as inflation, plan membership, market fluctuations creating plan deficits, and changes to local laws affecting benefit design and funding requirements.

2021-22 Main Estimates - By Vote

• In the 2021-22 Main Estimates, Global Affairs Canada requested expenditure authorities of $6,723.2 million, which represents a net decrease of $761.0 million over the 2020-21 Main Estimates of $7,484.2 million.
• The Main Estimates are reported by Vote as well as Standard Object.
• Net decrease by Vote:
  • ($19.1 million) in Vote 1 - Operating expenditures;
  • ($7.4 million) in Vote 5 - Capital expenditures;
  • ($759.5 million) in Vote 10 - Grants and Contributions;
  • $14.4 million in Vote 15 - Locally engaged staff pension programs; and
  • $10.6 million in the Statutory Vote.
• Variance in the allocation compared to 2020-21 is a result of year- over-year changes in the Department’s funding profile.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada’s 2021-22 Main Estimates has the following votes:
• Vote 1 is to fund the operations of the department, which is comprised of salaries, the operating costs to deliver our programs (Trade, Development, and Foreign Affairs), including operating expenditures at missions abroad and other operational expenses such as travel and professional services.
• Vote 5 is to cover capital expenditures which are largely related to the Real Property program.
• Vote 10 funds the grants and contributions expenditures including programming for international development and assessed contributions.
• Vote 15 is for expenditures relating to the costs of pension, insurance and benefits for Locally Engaged Staff (LES).
• The following two votes are technical in nature:
• Vote 20 allows Global Affairs to make direct payments to International Financial Institutions, which are typically development banks.
• The Statutory Vote includes the following items:
  • Direct payments to International Financial Institutions;
  • Contributions to employees benefit plans;
  • Minister’s salary and motor car allowances; and
  • Payments under the Diplomatic Service (special) Superannuation Act.

Supporting facts and figures

The following items represent the increases / decreases by Vote:

• Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures – ($19.1 million)
  • ($19.2 million) for the operating portion of the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad [Planned to access from the fiscal framework previously approved funding];
  • ($18.8 million) related to the sunset of funding received for Renewing Canada’s Middle East Strategy;
  • ($14.7 million) related to the decrease of current funding for Canada’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates;
  • ($12.3 million) for transfers to Other Government Departments to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad;
  • $9.4 million for inflation on overseas operating costs;
  • $9.8 million for locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits incurred at missions abroad;
  • $14.4 million for foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad;
  • $15.3 million for compensation related to collective agreements; and
  • ($3.0 million) for other items.
• Vote 5 – Capital Expenditures – ($7.4 million)
  • ($12.4 million) for the capital portion of the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad [Planned to access from the fiscal framework previously approved funding]; and
  • $5.0 million for the funding for the Trade Commissioner Service Electronic Client Relationship Management.
• Vote 10 – Grants and Contributions – ($759.5 million)
  • ($363.0 million) related to funding received in previous years to help developing countries to address the impact of climate change;
  • ($229.1 million) related to the sunset of funding received for Renewing Canada’s Middle East Strategy;
  • ($129.9 million) related to funding received in previous years to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda. This decrease of $129.9 million only refers to grants and contributions (Vote 10) and excludes the variation related to operating expenditures (Vote 1) and employee benefit plan;
  • ($57.0 million) related to the decrease of current funding of the Peace and Stabilization Program;
  • ($3.9 million) related to the sunset of reprofiled funding to support Operation IMPACT through the Middle East Strategy;
  • $5.5 million to enhance Canada’s global Arctic leadership; and
  • $18.7 million for an adjustment related to the cost of assessed contributions, due to changes in the international organizations' budgets and the impact of currency fluctuations resulting from the payment in the prescribed foreign currency of these contributions.
• Vote 15 – Payments in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs for locally engaged staff – $14.4 million
  • $14.4 million for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada, or in respect of the administration of such programs or arrangements.
• Vote 20 – Payments to international financial institutions – Direct payments
  • $1 to authorize the inclusion of an authority embedded in vote wording. The statutory spending authority for direct payments for the purpose of contributions to International Financial Institutions is $257.4 million in the 2021-22 Main Estimates.
• Statutory Vote – $10.6 million
  • $9.9 million relating to the Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) component of new funding requested through the 2021-22 Main Estimates;
  • $6.7 million for a technical adjustment to increase spending authority for International Financial Institutions – Direct payments;
  • $0.4 million related to increased funding for the Payments under the Diplomatic Service (special) Superannuation Act;
  • ($5.7 million) for the Treasury Board Secretariat EBP adjustment to bring the rate of Global Affairs Canada’s salary base to 14.8% in the 2021-22 Main Estimates. This amount also includes an adjustment related to the locally engaged staff (LES) EBP component, which are to be excluded from the calculation of the final EBP amount for the Department; and
  • ($0.7 million) for the EBP variation in funding profile and sunset of programs.
  • The Main Estimates are also provided by Standard Object, which includes the types of goods or services to be acquired, or the transfer payments to be made from funding contained in these estimates.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Grant And Discretionary Contribution Programs

• The Department’s grants and contributions amount to $4,534.1 million, including statutory transfer payments:
  • $2,547.9 million in grants; and
  • $1,986.2 million in contributions.
• Total contribution funding is comprised of:
  • $1,117.3 million in discretionary (or non-assessed) contributions;
  • $611.6 million in assessed contributions for Canada’s memberships in international organizations; and
  • $257.4 million in direct payments to International Financial Institutions.

Supplementary messages

• The department has a rigorous challenge function to ensure effective oversight and efficient monitoring within the Investment Decision Framework.
• Further, the department integrates fiduciary risk management and recipient audit to balance sufficient accountability requirements with flexibility to maximize development results.
• A risk-based approach is being used to inform the selection of recipients that will be subject to financial compliance audits.

Supporting facts and figures

Global Affairs Canada's Grants and Contributions are broken down as follows: ( $ millions)

• Significant voted grants ($2,547.0 million) with, discretionary contributions ($1,117.3 million) and statutory transfer payments ($258.3M)
  • $2,489.6 million (grants of $2,305.4 million and contributions of $184.2 million) from International Development Assistance for Multilateral Programming;
  • $494.1 million (grants of $7.9 million and contributions of $486.2 million) from the International Development Assistance for Bilateral Programming to support regional or country specific;
  • $320.2 million (grants of $38.9 million and contributions of $281.3 million) from the International Development Assistance for Partnerships with Canadians Programming;
  • $257.4 million in payments to International Financial Institutions – Direct payments;
  • $133.9 million (grants of $96.9 million and contributions of $37.0 million) in support of the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOP);
  • $63.5 million (grants of $25.6 million and contributions of $37.9 million) under the Weapons Threat Reduction Program;
  • $43.9 million (contributions) for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI); and
  • $31.9 million (grants of $28.9 million and contributions of $3.0 million) in support of the CanExport Program.

2021-22 Main Estimates - International Organizations – Assessed Contributions

• The total cost of Canada’s membership in international organizations is $611.6 million in the 2021-22 Main Estimates, a net increase of $28.8 million in comparison with last year’s Main Estimates.
• The increase in the Main Estimates is attributable to changes in international organizations’ budgets (which in turn affects Canada’s share) and foreign currency fluctuations.
• On behalf of the Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada pays annual assessments to 58 international organizations including 12 that relate to UN peacekeeping operations.

Supplementary messages

• Paying a share of the UN’s costs is a core obligation of membership. This is a collective responsibility that all have to shoulder. Canada always pays its assessed contributions to the UN system in full, on time and without conditions.
• Canada has again earned a position on the UN Honour Roll for 2021, as one of 41 countries that paid in full its annual assessed contribution to the UN regular budget by the payment due date (February 11, 2021).
• Canada continues to rank as one the largest overall financial contributors to the United Nations.
• Assessed at 2.734%, Canada currently ranks as 9^th largest contributor to the UN regular budget (after USA, China, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Brazil).
• Canada currently ranks as the 9^th largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.

Supporting facts and figures

The most significant assessed contributions by category in the 2021-22 Main Estimates include:

• International Organizations -- $360.9 million
  United Nations Organization	$113.9 million
  North Atlantic Treaty Organization– civil administration	$26.2 million
  World Health Organization	$19.9 million
  Food and Agriculture Organization	$18.6 million
  International Organization of La Francophonie	$17.2 million
  Other International Organizations	$165.1 million
  United Nations Peacekeeping Operations -- $250.7 million
  UN Mission in Mali	$46.7 million
  UN Mission in Republic of South Sudan	$46.5 million
  UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo	$42.4 million
  UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic	$37.0 million
  UN Missions in Somalia	$21.7 million
  AU-UN Hybrid Operations in Darfur	$18.9 million
  Other UN Peacekeeping Operations	$37.5 million

• In total, Global Affairs Canada is proposing an increase of $28.8 million to the cost of assessed contributions in 2021-22. This is mainly due to the following three factors:
  • $0.8 million increase in the size of the organizations' budgets;
  • $7.5 million increase in Canada's rates of assessment (usually calculated on the basis of per capita GDP); and
  • $20.4 million increase due to losses resulting from changes in the rate of exchange.
• Of this total, $10.1 million (ODA portion) will be reflected as an internal budget transfer in the reference level process within Vote 10 (Grants & Contributions).
• The Official Development Assistance (ODA) adjustments fall within the purview of the International Assistance Envelope and, as such, adjustments are made internally via transfers to/from development funds through the Annual Reference Level Update.

Background

• Assessed contributions are treaty-based membership dues for international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
• Global Affairs Canada, on behalf of Canada, is responsible for paying most of these annual assessments. The assessments vary each year due to fluctuating foreign currency rates (most assessments are in USD or Euro), changes to the organizations’ budgets, and adjustments to Canada’s rate of assessment.
• The increased cost in these Main Estimates is attributable to changes in international organizations’ budgets (which in turn affects Canada’s share) and foreign currency fluctuations.

2021-22 Main Estimates - by Core Responsibility

• Following the requirements of the Policy on Results, the 2021-22 Main Estimates for Global Affairs Canada are reported by Core Responsibility:
  • $929.0 million - International Advocacy and Diplomacy;
  • $376.7 million - Trade and Investment;
  • $4,015.5 million - Development, Peace and Security Programming;
  • $53.9 million - Help for Canadians Abroad;
  • $1,071.3 million - Support for Canada's Presence Abroad; and
  • $276.8 million - Internal Services.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility

2021-2022 Main Estimates

Background

• As per the TBS Policy on Results, each department is required to have a Departmental Results Framework (DRF) and Program Inventory established and validated yearly.
• The DRF outlines what Global Affairs Canada does, what high-level results the department is seeking to achieve and how progress will be assessed.
• It is the basis for the department’s reporting to Parliament and Canadians on performance and expenditures in the Main Estimates and Public Accounts.
• The Core Responsibilities outlined in the DRF stem from Global Affairs Canada’s legislative framework and describe high-level domains in which Global Affairs Canada acts or has authority to operate on behalf of Canadians.
  • International Advocacy and Diplomacy: Global Affairs Canada promotes Canada’s interests and values through policy development, diplomacy, advocacy, and effective engagement.
  • Trade and Investment: Global Affairs Canada supports increased and more diverse trade and investment to raise the standard of living for all Canadians and to enable Canadian businesses to grow internationally and to create economic opportunities.
  • Development, Peace and Security Programming: Global Affairs Canada programming contributes to reducing poverty, increasing opportunity for people around the world, alleviating suffering in humanitarian crises, and fostering peace and security, and in so doing, advances the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Help for Canadians Abroad: Global Affairs Canada provides timely and appropriate consular services for Canadians abroad, contributing to their safety and security.
  • Support for Canada's Presence Abroad: Global Affairs Canada manages and delivers resources, infrastructure and services enabling Canada’s presence abroad, including at embassies, high commissions, and consulates.
  • Internal Services: Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refers to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct service categories that support Program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Development, Peace And Security Programming

• Through the Development, Peace and Security Programming core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada’s programming contributes to reducing poverty, increasing opportunity for people around the world, alleviating suffering in humanitarian crises, and fostering peace and security, and in so doing, advances the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates includes funding of $4,015.5 million within the Development, Peace and Security Programming core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance five high level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Improved physical, social and economic well-being among the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly for women and girls, in countries where Canada engages; 2) Enhanced empowerment and rights of women and girls in countries where Canada engages; 3) Reduced suffering and increased human dignity in communities experiencing humanitarian crises; 4) Improved peace and security in countries and regions where Canada engages; and, 5) Canada’s international assistance is made more effective by leveraging diverse partnerships, innovation, and experimentation.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Continuing to prioritize Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy to help improve the lives of the people and communities that need it most and to support developing country partners in their efforts to tackle serious and pressing issues, including those related to climate change, poverty, poor governance, gender inequality, health, education women’s economic empowerment and human rights;
  • Contributing to achieving progress on the UN 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals at home and abroad, including supporting developing countries in their sustainable economic recoveries and improving their resilience to respond to the current global crisis;
  • Working with partners to react rapidly and flexibly to provide immediate and life- saving support for crisis-affected populations through gender-responsive humanitarian action to alleviate suffering and increase human dignity in communities experiencing crises;
  • Implementing multiple approaches to addressing pressing security concerns, including through targeted stabilization programming in fragile and conflict- affected states and the deployment of Canadian civilian experts;
  • Contributing to Canada’s broader commitments on peace operations, including support for the full and meaningful participation of women in peace and security efforts and improved UN effectiveness;
  • Participating effectively in global efforts aimed at eliminating poverty through innovative financing approaches; and,
  • Engaging with partners through innovation and experimentation to help the department identify opportunities to scale up effective innovations, particularly in the context of post-pandemic recovery.
• The department will report on results against the 2021-22 Departmental Plan in fall 2022.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Support for Canada's Presence Abroad

• Through the Support for Canada's Presence Abroad core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada manages and delivers resources, infrastructure and services enabling Canada’s presence abroad, including at embassies, high commissions, and consulates.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates includes funding of $1,071.3 million within the Support for Canada’s Presence Abroad core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

• The revenues and other reductions of $43.4 million is related to the authority to collect revenues. The department has a net voting authority for revenues received from services that are not funded by appropriations. The amount of $43.4 million includes $1.1 million for the international telecommunication services and $42.3 million for the real property services abroad.

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance two high level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Sound management and delivery of resources, infrastructure and services enables Canada’s presence abroad; and, 2) Personnel are safe, missions are more secure and government and partner assets and information are protected.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Modernizing its network and tools at missions through the transformation of its technology infrastructure is a high priority, and a great challenge, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The department will continue to improve on its digital workplace portfolio initiatives, which aim to increase the ability of its workforce at home and abroad to work remotely.
  • The department is also making efforts at greening its government operations, by prioritizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, investing in LED lighting, and other green pilot projects. This includes by applying the BOMA best certification at missions in support of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Significant investments are also being made to improve security services, upgrade infrastructure, and improve emergency readiness and training programs for employees posted at high and critical threat missions, in an effort to better serve Canadians abroad.
  • The department continues to provide safe and productive working environments via enhanced communication tools which have become essential for remote work during the onset of the pandemic and will remain in use given the evolving security environment and restrictions at missions.
• The department will report on results against the 2021-22 Departmental Plan in fall 2022.

2021-2022 Main Estimates - International Advocacy and Diplomacy 2021-22

• Through the International Advocacy and Diplomacy core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada promotes Canada’s interests and values through policy development, diplomacy, advocacy, and effective engagement.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates includes funding of $929.0 million within the International Advocacy and Diplomacy core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance four high-level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Canada builds and maintains constructive relationships that advance Canada's interests; 2) Canada's leadership on global issues contributes to a just and inclusive world; 3) Canada helps build strong international institutions and respect for international law; and 4) Canada’s global influence is expanded and strengthened.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Adopting innovative and agile advocacy and diplomacy to build new, inclusive, and innovative international partnerships and strengthen long-standing relationships. This includes on areas of trade, investment, innovation, security, energy and the environment;
  • Advancing comprehensive engagement and reinforcing Canada’s role in key multilateral forums, especially to overcome challenges created and accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • Renewing and strengthening the current rules-based system and advancing Canadian values and interests internationally;
  • Asserting Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and implementing the International Arctic Policy, in close cooperation with domestic and international partners;
  • Working with partners to champion rights and inclusive governance, advance democracy and human rights, promote inclusion and respect for diversity, and challenge corruption and impunity;
  • Advancing international peace and security interests related to stabilization and counter-terrorism, and delivering on its commitment to make Canada a leader in international efforts to combat climate change;
  • Pursuing constructive leadership and engagement to support organizational innovation and reforms to improve accountability, transparency, effectiveness and results in international institutions; and
  • Expanding and strengthening Canada’s global influence on key issues by continuing to advance issues of importance on the global stage.
• The department will report on results against the 2021-22 Departmental Plan in fall 2022.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Trade and Investment

• Through the Trade and Investment core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada aims to increase and diversify trade and investment to raise the standard of living for all Canadians and to enable Canadian businesses to grow internationally and to create economic opportunities.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates includes funding of $376.7 million within the Trade and Investment core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

• The revenues and other reductions of $2.0 million is related to the authority to collect revenues. The department has a net voting authority for revenues received from services that are not funded by appropriations. The amount of $2.0 million includes $1.0 million for Edu-Canada and $1.0 million for trade fairs and missions.

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance three high level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Building and safeguarding an open and inclusive rules-based global trading system; 2) Supporting Canadian exporters and innovators internationally; and, 3) Ensuring Canada is a top destination for global investment.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Addressing restrictions on Canada’s ability to import and access critical goods and services, and helping SMEs facing export challenges and trade barriers in the context of COVID-19.
  • Advancing comprehensive free trade agreement discussions with Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance, as well as a trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
  • Recognizing that the United States is the gateway to other markets, strengthen Canada’s relationship with the United States and ensure that Canada’s trade promotion and diversification efforts are maximized.
  • Improving the ability to connect Arctic and northern businesses with export opportunities, and supporting business-to-business activities including through the Arctic Economic Council.
  • Advancing inclusive approaches to trade, with a special focus on women and women-owned businesses, Indigenous peoples, small and medium-sized enterprises, newcomers and LGBTQ2I persons; and offering a CanExport concierge service to help Indigenous people, visible minorities and women- owned businesses seek growth opportunities during the pandemic.
  • Working with Invest in Canada to increase foreign investment to Canada and assist Canadian communities to attract, retain and expand foreign investment. Implement the Foreign Direct Investment Attraction Strategy to support Canada’s economic growth objectives, including sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.
• The department will report on results against the 2021-22 Departmental Plan in fall 2022.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Help for Canadians Abroad

• Through the Help for Canadians Abroad Core Responsibility, Global Affairs Canada provides timely and appropriate consular services for Canadians abroad, contributing to their safety and security.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates includes funding of $53.9 million within the Help for Canadians Abroad Core Responsibility.

Supplementary facts and figures

• The revenues and other reductions of $2.4 million is related to the authority to collect revenues for the specialized consular service fees. The department has a net voting authority for revenues received from services that are not funded by appropriations.

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance two high level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Canadians have timely access to information and services that keeps them safer abroad; and, 2) Canadians abroad receive timely and appropriate government services.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • The department will ensure that Canadians will continue receiving responsive bilingual consular and emergency services, particularly in the context of the evolving global pandemic.
  • As part of its renewed consular strategy, the department is modernizing its consular service delivery by launching a new case contact and emergency management system, to collect more timely and relevant information in support of Canadians seeking assistance abroad for urgent and complex situations.
  • Global Affairs Canada continues to enhance its capacity to assist Canadians during complicated emergencies with its highly trained and capable team of emergency core responders via its Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
  • In line with Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy, the consular program also strives to provide appropriate assistance to all Canadians, including vulnerable clients in potentially vulnerable situations, including women, children, and those dealing with mental health issues, and members of the LGBTQ2I community.
  • In addition to providing the latest up to date information during crises and significant events through the department’s travel.gc.ca portal, Global Affairs Canada is continuing to improve its outreach to Canadians by expanding its communications on other social media platforms as well as SMS notifications so that Canadians can access information from anywhere in the world.
  • In the year ahead, the department will enhance support and oversight to its network of honorary consuls and explore expanding to new locations to further strengthen its service delivery to Canadians.
• The department will report on results against the 2021-22 Departmental Plan in fall 2022.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Internal Services

• Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization.
• The 2021-22 Main Estimates includes funding of $276.8 million within the Internal Services.

Supplementary facts and figures

• The revenues and other reductions of $1.4 million is related to the authority to collect revenues for the Canadian Foreign Service Institute (CFSI). The department has a net voting authority for revenues received from services that are not funded by appropriations.

Background

• The department has five core responsibilities that stem from Global Affairs Canada’s legislative framework and describe high-level domains in which Global Affairs Canada acts or has authority to operate on behalf of Canadians.
• Internal Services refers to the activities and resources that support program delivery in the organization. They are composed of ten distinct internal service categories, defined by Treasury Board Secretariat, which are:
  • Management and Oversight Services;
  • Communications Services;
  • Legal Services;
  • Human Resources Management Services;
  • Financial Management Services;
  • Information Management Services;
  • Information Technology Services;
  • Real Property Services;
  • Materiel Services; and,
  • Acquisition Services.
• The department will focus on the following corporate priorities that will guide its internal services in 2021-22:
  • Fostering an ethical, respectful, diverse, inclusive, healthy and resilient workplace for all employees;
  • Ensuring the safety and security of employees at HQ and abroad; and,
  • Driving digital adoption and leveraging data and technology to enable a culture of flexibility, collaboration, transparency and innovation.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Briefing note on Departmental Plan

• The Global Affairs Canada 2021-22 Departmental Plan was tabled in Parliament on February 25, 2021.
• The Departmental Plan presents the department’s policy priorities, planned results and associated resources requirements for the coming fiscal year, as well as the performance targets against which the department will report its final results through its 2021-22 Departmental Results Report (in fall 2022).
• Global Affairs Canada is implementing Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy across its commitments in diplomacy, trade, security, development and consular services. In 2021-22, the department’s efforts will focus on the four following priorities: contributing to a rules-based international system that advances Canadian interests; supporting Canadian exporters and economic recovery, building economic resilience, and working toward the renewal of the rules- based multilateral trading system; deepening Canada’s engagement in the world; and, eradicating poverty.

Background

• The annual Departmental Plan is a legislative requirement as part of the Government’s annual planning and resource management process.
• The Departmental Plan provides Parliament and Canadians with a strategic overview of the department’s priorities and planned results for the coming fiscal year by outlining its expenditures grouped by core responsibilities under the 2021-22 Departmental Results Framework.
• The format of the 2021-22 Departmental Plan remains very similar to that of last year. The first section presents the Ministers’ Message, which reflects our ministers’ shared vision of the results that the department will achieve for Canadians in 2021-22.
• The Planned Results section provides an overview of the department’s key planned activities to deliver on its priorities for the coming fiscal year. Planning highlights in this section are outlined by each core responsibility, and presented alongside the associated departmental results indicators. The planned results tables demonstrate how results, including performance targets, will be measured at the end of the fiscal year in the Departmental Results Report. The actual results for the past three years are also included in these tables, where applicable.
• For ease of reference, the Spending and Human Resources section consolidates the financial and human resource information provided for each core responsibility and internal services, including explanations of any significant variances in expenditure plans over the next three fiscal years. Planned spending is also compared with the current and previous years’ actual spending.
• The Additional Information section includes corporate information about the department, including the organizational profile and the results reporting framework. This section also presents a listing of supplementary information made available online, including the department’s raison d’être, mandate and role, gender-based analysis plus, and tables outlining its grants and contributions programs.
• Further details on the Departmental Results Framework and core responsibilities, as well as highlights can be found as individual notes in this binder.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Briefing note on Departmental Results Report 2019-20

• In 2019-20, Global Affairs Canada advanced Canada’s foreign policy, trade and development interests in an evolving international landscape marked by heightened international instability. The department worked to reinforce ties with traditional allies while actively pursuing new collaborations with emerging partners. It also worked to strengthen multilateral institutions that are crucial to the global commons and rallied partners around common causes, such as the response to the instability in Venezuela and the need for a coordinated global response to the COVID-19 crisis.
• Global Affairs Canada enhanced market access and increased opportunities flowing from trade agreements. It advanced Canada’s efforts on World Trade Organization (WTO) reform, including through its leadership of the Ottawa Group and successful efforts to preserve Canada’s rights to effective dispute settlement.
• At the outset of the pandemic, the department created the COVID- 19 Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad to help ensure Canadians could get home safely. Within the first few weeks, more than 7,586 Canadians and permanent residents of Canada had returned on 47 facilitation flights organized in 31 countries. The department also supported the fight against COVID-19 by vetting international suppliers to facilitate procurement of critical medical supplies and helping to identify Canadian companies capable of supplying domestic needs.
• Through the Ministerial Coordination Group on COVID-19 and the Alliance for Multilateralism, Canada took a leadership role in ensuring that responses to the pandemic protect and advance gender equality and human rights. The department also effectively deployed international assistance to reduce poverty and increase opportunities for people around the world, this includes improving the lives of more than 97.1 million people through humanitarian assistance support to United Nations partners, non-governmental organizations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• The department supported the families of the 85 Canadian and permanent resident victims of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, establishing a dedicated consular case management unit, sending Standing Rapid Deployment Team members to Iran, Turkey and locations across Canada, and launching the PS752 Emergency Family Assistance Fund.

Supplementary messages

Global Affairs Canada’s results highlights include:

• Developing and launching Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation, or EMPOWER—an alliance of private sector champions to support women’s economic empowerment and private sector leadership.
• Hosting the Canada-EU Leaders’ Summit in Montréal, Quebec, where leaders committed to enhancing cooperation for inclusive growth, the environment, peace and security, gender equality and innovation.
• Releasing the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework, helping to empower northern communities, deepen international Arctic cooperation, and protect the fragile Arctic environment.
• Effectively leading Canada’s efforts on key free trade agreements, including ratifying and implementing the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
• Facilitating 128 new or expanded foreign investments and 235 investor visits to Canada, and providing Trade Commissioner Services to 16,942 active Canadian business clients, with a satisfaction rate of 91%.
• Launching a new five-year international education strategy and welcoming a record 829,405 international students who contributed an estimated $24 billion to the Canadian economy.
• Hosting the Women Deliver global conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, the world’s largest gathering on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of women and girls, resulting in innovative partnerships and resource mobilization to drive transformative change.
• Cementing Canada’s role as a global leader on financing for development, including through co-facilitating the first High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development, and establishing new approaches for the deployment of innovative financing.
• Advancing efforts to achieve peace and stability in fragile and conflict- affected states by disbursing $152 million via the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program.
• Undertaking complex repatriation efforts to help 343 Canadians evacuate from Wuhan, China, and 357 from the Princess cruise ships in Japan and California early in the pandemic.
• Providing more than 170,241 new and routine consular cases, including more than 12,489 cases concerning Canadians who required urgent consular assistance.
• Launching a renewed innovative and evidence-based consular strategy that delivers enhanced assistance for Canadians requiring help abroad.
• Strengthening security measures at missions abroad through 22 projects that upgraded security elements such as closed-circuit television systems, perimeter walls, safe haven rooms, and consular booths.
• Ensuring the safety and security of staff in missions abroad by evacuating approximately 1,300 employees and their dependents while ensuring continuity of services for Canadians.

Background

• The Departmental Results Report describes the department’s achievements for the fiscal year against the priorities and expected results established in the corresponding Departmental Plan. It highlights a number of significant accomplishments achieved by the department over fiscal year 2019-20.
• The Departmental Results Report was tabled on December 7, 2020, and is available online. More information on departmental results can be found in the supplementary information tables available on the department’s website and on the Government of Canada’s InfoBase website.

Explanation of variances

• Global Affairs Canada’s total actual spending in 2019-20 of $7,176 million was within its total authorities of $7,654 million. The department’s total expenses increased by $178.1 million (+3 percent) during 2019-20 compared to 2018-19. This increase in actual spending is attributable to additional funding for:
  • Supporting Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy;
  • Initiatives to help developing countries address the impact of climate change;
  • Pandemic responses related to COVID-19;
  • The Export Diversification Strategy;
  • Development assistance and security sector support to Afghanistan;
  • Canada’s future participation in the postponed Expo 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; and
  • Transfers from other government departments to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad.

2020-21 Main Estimates - Canada’s Network Abroad

• In 2020-21, Canada’s Network Abroad consisted of 178* missions in 110* countries, including 8,382 positions. This comprises 2,518 Canada-based staff and 5,864 Locally-engaged staff as of March 31^st, 2020.
• Canada’s Network Abroad includes 27 partners (other government departments, Global Affairs Canada’s programs) and 14 co-locators (crown corporations, provincial governments, foreign governments and International Organization).
• Global Affairs Canada continues to work with other Foreign Ministries to identify opportunities for co-location in order to maximize the reach of our diplomatic network abroad at a minimum cost to taxpayers.

*Does not include Taiwan or the West Bank

Supporting facts and figures

• Recent openings and closures of missions:
  • 2020- PM Trudeau authorized the opening of a mission in Suva, Fiji.
  • 2020- Minister Champagne authorized the opening of a Consulate in Milan, Italy. Expected opening date with fiscal year 2021-22.
  • 2018 – the mission opening in Fukuoka as a trade office (relocated from Kitakyushu).
  • 2017- the mission in Oaxaca, Mexico was closed, while a mission in Cotonou, Benin opened.
  • 2015 - ASEAN (Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Vientiane (Laos) mission openings.
  • 2015 - ASEAN (Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Vientiane (Laos) mission openings.
  • 2014 - the Chancery in Yangon, Burma opened in August 2014, signaling the end of Canada’s co-location with the United Kingdom.
  • 2013 - addition of an Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq (co-located with the United Kingdom) and interim operations for the Embassy in Juba, South Sudan (co- location with the Netherlands).
• Partners and Co-locators in our missions:
  • Canada’s Network Abroad includes 27 partners and 14 co-locators.
  • The partners comprise federal departments, agencies and sub-agencies that sponsor programs involving diplomatic activities abroad.
  • The co-locators comprise crown corporations, provincial governments, foreign governments and an International Organization (NATO) for which Global Affairs Canada provides common services on a cost-recovery basis.
• Other offices:
  • Across Canada, Global Affairs Canada operates a total of six regional trade offices located in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
  • Ten trade offices abroad headed by the Canadian Commercial Corporation also operate in emerging business centres in China.
  • Canada is also represented by more than 100 consulates headed by honorary consuls. Honorary consuls are not employees of the Government of Canada. They are private individuals appointed by Order in Council who provide consular and other services on behalf of Canada.
  • Canadians can also receive consular services from a limited number of Australian, Swedish and Italian missions under agreements with those countries.

Background

• Services to the Network include management of financial and human resources, benefits for locally-engaged staff (including pension, social security programs and insurance), mission and staff related accommodations (including work facilities and living quarters), physical and property security, transportation, contracting and procurement, information and technology management, and diplomatic mail. These services support Canada-based staff from Global Affairs Canada and other federal government departments, agencies and co-locators, as well as locally-engaged staff.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Overview of 2020-21 Main Estimates (Previous Year)

• The 2020-21 Main Estimates were tabled in Parliament the week of February 24, 2020, and the related Appropriation Act received Royal Assent in June 2020 with an Interim Supply bill approved by March 31, 2020.
• The Department’s total funding requested in the 2020-21 Main Estimates is $7,484.2 million, which represents a net increase of $764.5 million over the 2019-20 Main Estimates of $6,719.7 million.
• Significant funding increases include funding to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda, funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate change, and funding for the new Export Diversification Strategy. Notable funding decreases include a decrease in funding related to the 2015-2020 strategy for maternal, newborn and child health (however, this funding has since been renewed), as well as a decrease related to Ensuring Rules-Based and Responsible Trade.

Supplementary messages

• The Main Estimates present Global Affairs Canada’s reference levels which are broken down by the nature of the funding (Vote) and according to the Departmental Results Framework (DRF).

Supporting facts and figures

2020-2021 Main Estimates

Table 152. Organizational Estimates (dollars) - Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development

2020–21 Main Estimates by Purpose

• Funding increases include:
  • $456.9 million to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda;
  • $297.3 million to help developing countries address the impact of climate change;
  • $57.7 million for the new Export Diversification Strategy;
  • $20.0 million related to a transfer from Shared Services Canada for the cost of providing core information technology services to missions abroad;
  • $19.2 million for locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits incurred at missions abroad;
  • $19.1 million for compensation related to collective agreements; and
  • $19.0 million for transfers from other government departments to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad.
• Funding decreases include:
  • $107.5 million related to the 2015-2020 strategy for maternal, newborn and child health (this funding has since been renewed); and
  • $15.2 million for Ensuring Rules-Based and Responsible Trade (Softwood Lumber).

Background

• As part of a two-year pilot project (2018-19/2019-20), there has been a change in the timing of the Expenditure Management Cycle whereby departments were required to prepare both Interim and Main Estimates. This enabled the inclusion of Budget items in the Main Estimates.
• With the end of this two-year pilot project, departments were informed that the Treasury Board Secretariat will revert to tabling the Main Estimates on or before March 1, 2020 with an Interim Supply bill approved by March 31, 2020. Consequently, it is anticipated that Budget 2020 announcements would be sought through the Supplementary Estimates process in 2020-21.
• Supplementary Estimates are part of the normal Parliamentary approval process to ensure that previously planned government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move them forward. They present information to Parliament on the Government of Canada’s spending requirements that were not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Public Accounts 2019-20 – Overview

• The Public Accounts of Canada are prepared annually by the Receiver General of Canada. The Public Accounts of Canada 2020 were tabled in the House of Commons on November 30, 2020.
• The Public Accounts contain all government expenditures and revenues, accounts receivables, loans, assets and related reserves that are deemed necessary to present a fair picture of the Government of Canada’s financial position. They also highlight, among other things, any losses of public money and property and explain the nature of lapses at year-end.
• The financial information of each individual department and agency are rolled up into the Public Accounts of Canada.

Supplementary messages

• Each year, the President of the Treasury Board tables a detailed report of the financial transactions of all government departments and agencies, entitled the Public Accounts of Canada.
• The report must be tabled on or before December 31 following the end of the fiscal year to which the accounts apply; or, if the House is not sitting, on any of the first 15 subsequent sitting days. As a matter of tradition only, the Public Accounts are addressed to the Governor General.
• The fundamental purpose of the Public Accounts of Canada is to provide information to Parliament, and thus to the public, which will enable them to understand and evaluate the financial position and transactions of the government.
• Two constitutional principles underlie the public accounting system: that duties and revenues accruing to the Government of Canada form one Consolidated Revenue Fund, and that the balance of the Fund after certain prior charges is appropriated by the Parliament of Canada for the public service.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Public Accounts 2019-20 – Losses

• The Public Accounts of Canada reports losses of public money or property due to offenses, illegal acts, accidents or accidental destruction. Total losses of public money and property reported in the Public Accounts for Global Affairs Canada in 2019-20 were $364,556.
• Significant and noteworthy losses for Global Affairs Canada in 2019-20 include fraudulent use of contribution funds ($146,436) and accidental losses of smartphones, laptops, SecurID tokens and beer and wine at headquarters and missions (replacement value estimated at $65,958). Global Affairs Canada also reported a fraudulent use of fuel cards ($133,828), a loss of a cheque ($8,087), and a loss of funds due to a fraudulent email chain ($3,435). Total losses (3) of consular revenue ($495), theft of camera (1) and theft of laptop (8) were also reported ($5,319).
• Global Affairs Canada has taken several actions in response to these losses and has recovered funds to minimize the financial impact. The Department has strengthened internal controls around the use of mobile devices and promoted awareness around fraud and the safeguarding of its assets.

Supporting facts and figures

• Significant losses reported in the 2019-20 Public Accounts include:
  • $146,436 in fraudulent use of contributions funds in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Tanzania Syria and Myanmar.

Global Affairs Canada response when dealing with these situations

• Global Affairs Canada receives information on the questionable or potentially fraudulent use of contribution funds through monitoring, audits, whistleblowers or directly from partner organizations.
• Further payments to organizations are suspended until the activities are investigated. Complex cases or cases of significant value are referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for investigation.
• The recipients are informed of the conclusions of the investigations whereupon the department demands funds used inappropriately be reimbursed.
• Global Affairs Canada requires that areas of concern be addressed and corrective actions be implemented before further contributions can be considered.
• Global Affairs Canada requires monitoring of the implementation of the remedial mitigation strategies.

Recent enhanced measures undertaken by Global Affairs Canada

• A new separate Fraud Management of Grants and Contributions Unit has been established, in December 2019, to provide fraud management advisory services as well as implement, maintain and operate risk reporting channels and fraud issue tracking.
• A Grants and Contributions Fraud Review Committee is being established, to provide governance and oversee fraud risk management implementation and activities.

Additional information

• Democratic Republic of Congo: $104,232 (funds have not been recovered yet)
  • This fraud involved a recipient in DR Congo. There is an inflated number of trainees and training duration as well as an inflated transportation allocation. Also, there is an inflated number of related party transactions with local suppliers/staff as well as falsified receipts for accommodation and meals.
• Iraq: $18,828 (funds recovered)
  • As part of the Economic Recovery and Development Program (ERD), a local partner staff member interfered in the vulnerability assessment and cash distribution processes to qualify potentially ineligible beneficiaries to receive cash assistance.
• Tanzania: $13,904 (funds recovered)
  • Employees and contractors falsified the number of latrines constructed and misappropriated latrine construction materials from January 2016 to June 30, 2018.
• Syria: $5,701 (funds recovered)
  • Salary continued to be charged to the grant even after employee stopped working for the organization. The salary for the month of May 2018 was charged without any supporting documents (Pay slips and/or wire transfer).
• Myanmar: $3,771 (funds recovered)
  • Two locally engaged staff committed fraud by overstating amounts of funds that were paid to local partners and by misusing per diem and transportation funds for training.

Other Losses

• $133,828 for a fraudulent use of fuel cards in Addis Ababa:
  • A customs clerk intentionally misled mission management in November 2018 by failing to disclose the existence of two fuel cards.
  • The investigation also showed that the customs clerk repeatedly misused two fuel cards over a period of ten years and the losses amount to at least$133,828.
  • The employee has been terminated and an account receivable has been created.
• $71,277 for losses of smartphones, laptops, SecurID tokens and beer and wine at headquarters and missions:
  • Eighty-six smartphones, two laptops, three SecurID tokens, and fifteen beer and wine ($65,958) have been reported as lost or stolen at headquarters and missions abroad. It was determined that no further action was required as the assets were generally considered accidentally lost.
  • One camera and eight laptops have been reported as stolen ($5,319) at missions abroad. New procedures and controls have been developed and were made available with the release of Android and iOS. These procedures include the remote locking down of lost/stolen devices and greater communication to promote awareness.
  • Measures to reduce the number of devices issued, to align with Shared Service Canada standards were also taken.
• $8,087 for loss of cheque in Quito:
  • Company in Quito assured that they never received a payment for services rendered.
  • The Department issued another payment waiting for investigation results.
• $3,434 for a fraudulent email chain:
  • The payroll administrator was influenced into bypassing the mission’s process for the modification of the direct deposit information by the impersonator.
  • US secret services have a mandate to investigate such fraud.
  • An attempt to stop to erroneous payment and a review of the procedures and an assessment on where and why the policies/procedures where not followed was done with the employee.
• $495 for losses of consular revenue in Riyadh and Alger:
  • While the department supports and promotes the use of electronic payments, in certain geographic locations, cash is still the major method of payment. Cash transactions inherently have high risk of errors in handling and recording.
  • Our department continues to promote alternative methods of payments to minimize cash transactions. Department uses communication and training to strengthen internal controls in the cash management area.

2021-22 Main Estimates - Public Accounts 2019-20 – Travel and Conferences

• Travel information is disclosed as part of the Public Accounts of Canada, including Travel of Ministers’ Offices (Volume III-Section 10).
• These expenditures are incurred by ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, and Ministers’ staff in the course of their duties on behalf of Global Affairs Canada.
• Expenditures, including travel, for Canadian representation at International Conferences and Meetings are also reported in Volume III-Section 11 of the Public Accounts of Canada.

Supplementary messages

• Expenditures for Canadian Representation at International Conferences and Meetings are also included in the Public Accounts (Vol III - Section 11). This includes expenditures such as travel, hospitality and conference fees that are covered under the department’s International Conference Allotment (ICA) that is approved by Cabinet to fund the protocol activities of the Governor General and the Prime Minister of Canada during official visits abroad. The allotment also supports the participation of Global Affairs Canada portfolio ministers and their official delegations in major multilateral international conferences defined as a congress, convention, briefing seminar or other formal gathering in one location outside Canada, that deals with topics related to government of Canada objectives and priorities.
• This statement also contains travel costs incurred during each visit or conference that appear separately on the “Travel Expenditures for Canadian Representation at International Conferences and Meetings” statement which lists the travelling delegates.

Supporting facts and figures

• The most significant costs reported for Canadian representation at international conferences and meetings are those related to the following conferences:
  • Prime Minister's Visit to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)—African Union Summit, Kuwait City (Kuwait), Dakar (Senegal), Munich (Germany)—Munich Security Conference ($873,357)
  • Canadian Delegation to New York (USA) - 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly ($592,262)
  • Prime Minister's Visit to Portsmouth and London (UK), Juno Beach and Paris (France)—D-Day 75th Anniversary ($467,745)
• The most significant travel costs reported for Canadian representation at international conferences and meetings include those related to the following conferences:
  • Prime Minister's Visit to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)—African Union Summit, Kuwait City (Kuwait), Dakar (Senegal), Munich (Germany)— Munich Security Conference ($612,771)
  • Canadian Delegation to New York (USA)—74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly ($504,244)
  • Governor General's Visit to the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Estonia ($279,365)

2021-22 Main Estimates - Public Accounts 2019-20 – Lapses

• In the 2019-20 Public Accounts of Canada, Global Affairs Canada’s Operating budget (Vote 1) was $2,000.3 million in 2019-20. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $116.9 million (5.8%). A total of $81.7 million was eligible to be carried forward to 2020- 21.
• Global Affairs Canada’s Capital budget (Vote 5) was $130.3 million in 2019-20. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $21.8 million (16.7%). A total of $14.2 million was eligible to be carried forward to 2020-21.
• Global Affairs Canada’s Grants and Contributions budget (Vote 10) was $4,970.1 million in 2019-20. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $296.1 million (6.0%). Grants and Contributions surplus is not eligible to carry forward.

Supplementary messages

• The Department’s three primary votes are highlighted in the Public Accountsare as follows:
  • Vote 1 is to fund the operations of the Department, which is comprised of salaries, the operating costs to deliver programs (Trade, Development, and Foreign Affairs), including operating expenditures at missions abroad, and other operational expenses such as travel and professional services.
  • Vote 5 is to cover capital expenditures, which are largely related to the Real Property program.
  • Vote 10 is for grants and contributions expenditures including programming for international development and assessed contributions.
• Departments are able to use portions of their operating and capital lapses in future fiscal years through the Operating and Capital Budget Carry Forward process.
• Grants and Contributions surpluses are not eligible to be carry forward to future fiscal years.

Supporting facts and figures

Operating - Vote 1:

• Global Affairs Canada’s Operating budget (Vote 1) was $2,000.3 million in 2019-20. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $116.9 million (5.8%). A total of $81.7 million was eligible to be carried forward to 2020-21. The surplus ($116.9 million) can be broken down as follows:
• Frozen allotment ($32.5 million)
  • Pandemic Response (COVID-19) ($20.3 million);
  • Conversion Factor between Operating and Salary Funds ($7.4 million);
  • Foreign Currency Gains ($3.0 million);
  • Program Integrity protocol office ($1.2 million); and
  • CP-QRM ($0.6 million).
• Special purpose allotments ($24.4 million)
  • Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement litigation ($15.9 million);
  • Duty of Care at missions abroad ($8.0 million);
  • Dispute Resolution Panelist ($0.4 million); and
  • Immigration and Refugee Protections Act ($0.1 million).
• Programming and others ($60.0 million)
  • Expo 2020 Dubai ($10.3 million);
  • Middle East Strategy ($5.4 million);
  • Peace and Stabilization Operations ($4.3 million);
  • Foreign Service Allowance ($2.1 million);
  • International Education Strategy ($2.0 million);
  • Staffing delay due to the location in high-risk countries ($2.0 million); and
  • Delays in projects approvals due to COVID-19, etc. ($33.9 million).

Capital - Vote 5:

• Global Affairs Canada’s Capital budget (Vote 5) was $130.3 million in 2019-20. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $21.8 million (16.7%). A total of $14.2 million was eligible to be carried forward to 2020-21.The surplus ($21.8 million) can be broken down as follows:
• Frozen allotment ($7.6 million)
  • Duty of Care at missions ($5.9 million); and
  • Conversion Factor: Capital to Salary Fund ($1.7 million).
• Special purpose allotments ($6.8 million)
  • Duty of Care at missions abroad ($6.8 million).
• Capital Projects ($7.4 million)
  • Delays in the development of major capital projects ($6.0 million);
  • Global Affairs Canada’s Renovation Projects ($1.1 million);
  • Export and Import Control System II project ($0.2 million); and
  • Going Digital ($0.1 million).

Grants and Contributions - Vote 10:

• Global Affairs Canada’s Grants and Contributions budget (Vote 10) was $4,970.1 million in 2019-20. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $296.1 million (6.0%) and can be broken down as follows:
• Frozen allotments ($210.6 million)
  • Crisis Pool Quick Release Mechanism ($178.5 million);
  • Amazon Wild Fires (SPF) reprofile ($12.6 million);
  • Canadian International Innovation Program ($1.3 million); and
  • International Financial Institutions ($18.2 million).
• Grants ($2.2 million)
• Assessed contributions ($17.7 million)
  • United Nations peacekeeping operations ($1.7 million); and
  • Other Assessed Contributions ($16.0 million).
• Non-Assessed Contributions ($65.6 million)
  • Multilateral programming related to the Feminist International Assistance Agenda ($53.7 million);
  • Bilateral programming ($7.7 million);
  • Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program ($2.4 million);
  • Peace and Stabilization Operation Program ($0.7 million);
  • Global Partnership Program ($0.2 million);
  • Contributions for the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program ($0.2 million); and
  • Other Non-Assessed Contributions ($0.7 million).

Afghanistan

• Canada support efforts to re-energize the Afghanistan peace process. Afghans deserve a negotiated settlement that ends the war and lays the foundation for sustainable peace.
• For peace to be sustainable, the process must be inclusive of marginalized voices, including those of women, minorities and youth.
• We continue to work with NATO partners and like-minded to mitigate the impacts of U.S. and NATO troop withdrawal on our presence and engagement in Afghanistan.

Supplementary messages

• Significant democratic and human rights advances have been made since 2001. Preserving these gains is a priority for Canada.
• Canada is deeply concerned about the troubling levels of violence witnessed in Afghanistan in recent months.
• The drawdown of troops is not the end of the international community’s commitment to Afghanistan. Canada and others will continue to stand with the Afghan people.
• The safety and security of our diplomats in Kabul is top of mind for me, and we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Update

On April 14, 2021, the U.S. announced its decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. NATO has announced that it will start the withdrawal of Resolute Support Missions forces on May 1, 2021. There are no conditions attached to the withdrawal, though the U.S. has sought to re-energise the stalled peace talks, in particular by bringing the Government of Afghanistan and Taliban together at a conference to be hosted by Turkey. However, the Istanbul conference has been postponed until at least the middle of May as the Taliban continues refuses to meet as long as international forces remain on Afghan soil.

UNAMA, Qatar, Turkey, the U.S. and the Government of Afghanistan continue to engage with the Taliban in an attempt to move peace talks forward.

Supporting facts and figures

• Forty thousand Canadians served as part of the NATO mission from 2001 to 2014. 158 Canadian Forces members and one Canadian diplomat died during the intervention.
• US has reduced its troop presence in Afghanistan from 12,000 in February 2020 to a current number of approximately 3,500. NATO has also reduced its troops from 17,000 to roughly 8,000.
• Canada is among the top ten donors and continues to support stabilization, development and humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, providing a total of $3.7 billion in international assistance since 2001.
• Canada has also contributed over $600M in bilateral security sector support to Afghanistan since 2001, including $195M (2018-2021) for Afghan Security Forces.
• Canada is working in coordination with like-minded partners to ensure the continued security of the embassy.

Arbitrary detention initiative

• Canada is demonstrating global leadership to denounce arbitrary arrest and detention for diplomatic leverage.
• 62 globally diverse parties have endorsed the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State- to-State Relations.
• Advocacy continues and Canada is advancing an Action Plan to sustain momentum to stop this practice.

Supplementary messages

• 62 countries from all regions of the world have endorsed the Declaration, demonstrating readiness to denounce this unacceptable practice and raise the cost for perpetrators.
• Canada is advancing a Partnership Action Plan through the G7, which sets out six voluntary areas of cooperation and engagement for endorsing countries to demonstrate that the initiative is not only about words, but about deeds.
• Canada intends to continue raising this issue through various means such as joint research activities, case tracking, engagement with civil society organizations and academia and ongoing multilateral engagement.

Update

Since the February launch event, 3 additional countries have endorsed the Declaration: Philippines, Bahamas and North Macedonia, bringing total endorsements to 62.

Initial feedback on the draft Partnership Action Plan from delegates to the G7’s Open Societies Working Group has been universally supportive, but they did seek assurances that participation in the Action Plan would be voluntary and that there would be no requirement to ‘join’ or ‘endorse’ it.

Supporting facts and figures

• At April 15, 2021 (62 endorsements): Albania, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Nauru, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu, the UK, Ukraine, and the US.

Background

Following the successful launch of the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations (Declaration), Canada worked with Five Eyes partners to develop a draft Partnership Action Plan (PAP). The PAP outlines a set of six voluntary areas of cooperation and engagement to sustain momentum on the initiative such as: joint advocacy, multilateral engagement, research on cases, awareness-raising, civil society engagement, training and other forms of joint action on specific cases.

The draft PAP was shared with the G7 Open Societies’ Working Group on March 3, 2021 for review and comments. All G7 members support the PAP and are favorable to including references to both the Declaration and PAP in the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Communique, in an Open Societies’ Statement annexed to the Leaders’ Statement (following the G7 Summit from 11-13 June), and/or in the Communique itself. Inclusion of these references remains subject to discussions at the political level.

In parallel, Canada is advancing plans to raise the arbitrary detention initiative in multilateral forums including the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and the Commonwealth.

Canada’s Arctic sovereignty

• Canada’s Arctic sovereignty is longstanding and well established.
• The waters of Canada’s Arctic Archipelago including the “Northwest Passage”, are internal waters of Canada by virtue of historic title.
• Everyday, through a wide range of activities, governments, Indigenous peoples and local communities all exercise Canada’s enduring sovereignty over its Arctic lands and waters.

Supplementary messages

• Canada welcomes navigation in its Arctic waters provided that vessels comply with Canadian rules on, among others, safety, security and the protection of the environment – as well as COVID related restrictions.
• Existing boundary disputes with Denmark and the U.S. are well managed and will be resolved in due course in accordance with international law.
• Canada’s differences with the U.S. on the status of the Northwest Passage are well managed, including through the 1988 Arctic Cooperation Agreement.
• Canada filed its continental shelf submission for the Arctic Ocean in May 2019. Canada’s continental shelf submission spans 1.2 million km² of seabed and subsoil in the Arctic Ocean and includes the North Pole. Overlaps with the submissions of neighbouring states are a normal part of the process and will be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law.

Export controls - General

• Canada has one of the strongest export controls systems in the world, and respect for human rights is enshrined in our legislation.
• All export permit applications are reviewed under Canada’s robust risk assessment framework, including against the Arms Trade Treaty criteria which are enshrined in Canada’s Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA).
• As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I must deny export permit applications for military items if it is determined that there is a substantial risk that the export would result in a serious violation of human rights, including serious acts of gender- based violence.

Supplementary messages

• Every export permit application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine what the goods or technology will be used for, where they will be used and by whom, among other factors.
• Under the EIPA, criteria which would lead to the denial of a permit application include a substantial risk that exported items could be used to undermine peace and security; to commit or facilitate a serious violation of human rights law or international humanitarian law; international organized crime or terrorism; or serious acts of violence against women and children.
• Canada will take appropriate action in response to the misuse of any controlled Canadian good or technology, regardless of the destination.

Update

Since 2019, the issue of export controls has received significant and sustained public, media and parliamentary attention. Beginning in December 2020, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) has been studying the granting of arms exports permits with a specific focus on Turkey. See separate briefs on the FAAE Production of Papers and Turkey.

Supporting facts and figures

• Global Affairs Canada assesses approximately 6,000 export permit applications every year. In 2019, Canada’s exports of military goods amounted to approximately $3.7 billion.
• Data for 2020 will be released by end of May 2021 with the tabling in Parliament of the annual Report on the Export of Military Goods.

Background

In 2017, the Government of Canada invested $13 million over five years to allow Canada to implement the Arms Trade Treaty’s obligations and to further strengthen the rigour and transparency of its export control regime. Budget 2021 proposed to provide $38.2 million over 5 years, and $7.9 million per year ongoing for human resources to strengthen, among other trade controls, Canada’s oversight of the movement of prohibited firearms and arms exports.

Saudi Arabia – Export controls and LAVs

• In April 2020, Canada announced the findings of its review of all arms exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) initiated in November 2018.
• Global Affairs Canada carefully assessed whether military goods exported to Saudi Arabia would be used in a manner consistent with the Arms Trade Treaty and Canada’s domestic legislation and concluded that there is no substantial risk that they would be used inappropriately.
• New permit applications to Saudi Arabia are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Supplementary messages

• Experts from across the Government of Canada evaluate every export permit application on a case-by-case basis to determine what the goods or technology will be used for, where they will be used and by whom, among other factors.
• Permits for arms, ammunition, implements or munitions of war will not be issued where, after considering available mitigating measures, I, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, determine that there is a substantial risk that the export of the goods or technology would result in any of the negative consequences referred to in the ATT, including serious violations of international humanitarian law or international human rights law, or serious acts of gender-based violence or violence against women and children.
• Global Affairs Canada does not comment on individual permits or permit applications. We have an obligation to protect confidential information about the commercial activities of individual companies.

Update

In January 2021, the Biden administration announced a temporary pause of arms transfers to KSA pending a blanket review of military sales signed under the previous administration. This measure affected transactions above specific thresholds.

In February 2021, President Biden stated that his administration would end “all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen, including relevant arms sales”. Although the review is ongoing, certain contracts suspended in January have been allowed to resume.

On April 21, 2021, the House of Representatives voted to pass the Protection of Saudi Dissidents Act which would prohibit the Administration from approving sales of defense articles or transferring such items to the government of Saudi Arabia for a period of 120 days following enactment. That prohibition would be extended for subsequent periods (for a total of three years) unless the President certifies to the Congress that the Saudi government is not violating the human rights of dissidents or detainees though actions such as the forced repatriation, intimidation or murder. This legislation still needs to pass the U.S. Senate.

Supporting facts and figures

• No valid export permits to Saudi Arabia were suspended or cancelled during the review.
• In 2019, Saudi Arabia was the largest non-U.S. export destination for Canadian military goods, at approximately $2.864 billion (or 76% of the total value of non-U.S. military exports).

Background

The review covering November 2018 to December 2019 of all existing permits destined for KSA for items controlled under the EIPA including LAVs concluded that there is no substantial risk that these items would result in the negative consequences outlined in the ATT. However, in light of the KSA’s actions in Yemen there is a substantial risk that certain controlled items (such as bomber aircrafts) would be used to commit serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). No such items have been transferred to KSA from Canada.

Production of papers on arms exports to Turkey

• I take the motion passed by the Committee very seriously.
• I anticipate delivery of the final installment of records to the Committee in early June.
• The Department has been as transparent as possible.
• Some information was redacted, mostly to protect commercially confidential information or to safeguard bilateral relations with other countries.

Update

• Documents have been provided to the committee in the following installments:
  • December 21, 2020, briefing products (151 pages EN, 169 FR)
  • February 5, 2021, list of all email titles (18 pages EN, 20 pages FR)
  • February 16, 2021, emails (237 pages EN, 264 pages FR)
  • April 7, 2021, emails (416 pages EN, 461 pages FR)
  • Early June 2021(TBC), emails, approximately 1800 pages
• The committee has since passed motions to publish the provided documents on its website.
• The Committee has expressed its displeasure with receiving redacted documents and passed a motion noting that it “reserves the right to be granted unfettered access to the unredacted documents”.

Background

• The committee passed a motion on October 28, requesting the production of all documents pertaining to arms exports to Turkey. This is part of the committee’s broader study on the granting of arms export permits, with a particular focus on permits granted for exports to Turkey.
• GAC and PCO both had relevant documents in this production of papers request. GAC has taken on a coordinating role in preparation of the overall response and submission of documents to the Committee.
• The date range for responsive documents was amended on November 5 to include all documents dating from January 2017 – October 2020. The text of the motion specifically requested that the documents be unredacted, except for Cabinet confidences.
• GAC applied limited redactions to documents to protect commercially sensitive or internationally injurious information.
• This is the fifth production of papers motion that GAC has contributed to since the beginning of 2020 and illustrates a growing trend in committee activity within the minority context.

Turkey - Export controls

• On April 12, 2021, I announced the cancellation of 29 export permits to Turkey, after a review found that Canadian technology was used in regional conflicts. This use was not consistent with Canadian foreign policy, nor end-use assurances given by Turkey.
• I also directed officials to initiate a dialogue with Turkey to build mutual confidence and greater cooperation on export permits to ensure consistency with end-use assurances before any further permits for military goods and technology are issued. Applications related to NATO cooperation programs will be assessed on a case- by-case basis.
• Canada will continue to take appropriate action in response to the misuse of any controlled Canadian good or technology, regardless of the destination.

Supplementary messages

• In fall 2020, my predecessor suspended 29 permits to Turkey, and directed Global Affairs Canada to investigate allegations regarding the use of Canadian technology in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• The thorough review is complete and found credible evidence that Canadian sensors equipped on Turkish Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been used in the conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya and Syria. The review also found that the alleged transfer of Canadian technology to a third party may have been inconsistent with the end-use assurances provided by Turkey.
• Canada will continue to carefully scrutinize all export permits and permit applications for the export of controlled goods and technology to ensure that they are consistent with our legal obligations and with human rights and international humanitarian laws.

Supporting facts and figures

• In addition to the cancelled permits, there are currently some valid export permits to Turkey for military goods and technology including, but not limited to: components for the production of aircraft, software and technical data for flight simulators, satellite equipment, and firearm components. No credible evidence was found that the exported items in these valid permits were being used in a manner that is inconsistent with Canada’s EIPA obligations or foreign and defence policies.
• Permits for military goods and technology (Group 2) to Turkey will continue to be presumptively denied, and applications related to NATO cooperation programs will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• A NATO Ally, Turkey is an indispensable partner to Canada on a number of fronts, including on humanitarian and migration issues as the world’s largest host of refugees, as well as on regional security.
• In 2019, Turkey was Canada’s fourth largest defence market with military exports valued at $151 million (+3,675% since 2016).

Belarus – Including arms exports

• Canada continues to condemn the gross and systematic human rights violations in Belarus and is deeply concerned by the targeted violence against peaceful protestors, opposition members, journalists, and human rights defenders.
• We have sanctioned 55 individuals, alongside the EU and US, sending a clear message of our commitment to human rights and democracy in Belarus and to the dignity of its people.
• Canada is providing CAD $2.85 million to support civil society organizations who are working to help advance democracy in Belarus. Canada also provided CAD $300,000 to the International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB).

Supplementary messages

• On November 9, 2020, Canada temporarily suspended the issuance of all new permits for the export and brokering of controlled goods and technology to Belarus.
• Canada frequently intervenes with grave concerns about human rights violations in Belarus including public statements, in bilateral meetings, and at multilateral forums, such as the OSCE, UN, G7, and Media Freedom Coalition.
• We are consistently engaging with the exiled opposition of Belarus. Most recently, I held a call with Belarusian Opposition Leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on March 9, to reiterate our support for the Belarusian people.
• Canada urges the Government of Belarus to cease all violence and release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained, and is deeply concerned with the crackdown on the Polish minority in Belarus including the arrest and sentencing of the Chairwoman of the Union of Poles in Belarus Andzelika Borys and many other members.
• We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that the voices of people in Belarus are heard and to make clear that violence and acts which undermine democracy will have consequences.
• Media freedom is an important part of democratic societies and essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The crackdown targeting journalists is denying Belarusians the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
• Canada will continue to pursue accountability for those responsible for human rights violations, working closely with our international partners.
• In March 2021, Canada proudly co-sponsored the Human Rights Council resolution which established the accountability mechanism under the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Our IAPB funding will support NGOs as they collect, preserve and submit crucial evidence on human rights violations to the OHCHR accountability mechanism.

Supporting facts and figures

• It is reported that there are around 358 political prisoners in Belarus as of April 12, 2021. In 2020, the Belarusian Association of Journalists documented 477 detentions of journalists. The Belarusian authorities continue to persecute prominent opposition and civil society figures, including the Chair of the United Civil Party, human rights defenders from Viasna, and the co-founders of BYSOL.
• On April 2, Belarusian authorities placed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Pavel Latushko, and 15 other opposition members on a “wanted list” for being involved in “illegal activities” including “an act of terrorism committed by an organized group”.
• Belarusian authorities are cracking down on the Polish minority community for “inciting ethnic and religious hatred”, “illegal mass events,” and action aimed at the “rehabilitation of Nazism” – which could carry prison sentences of up to 12 years. The arrests and searches have been accompanied by anti-Polish propaganda on state TV. The Polish community consists of approximately 3-4% of the Belarus population.
• Canada is funding $300,000 to support an NGO-led IAPB to collect and preserve evidence of human rights violations, and co-sponsored an EU-led HRC resolution to create an accountability mechanism under the OHCHR.
• Along with Canada, the EU, U.K., and the U.S. view the inauguration of Lukashenko as illegitimate and have stated that he lacks the legitimacy to be the leader of Belarus.
• Canada temporarily suspended the issuance of all new permits for the export and brokering of controlled goods and technology to Belarus on November 9, 2020. This decision was made public through a Notice to Exporters and Brokers (No. 1033).

Cameroon

• Canada is deeply concerned by the continuing violence in the Northwest and Southwest regions. We encourage all parties to the conflict to seek an inclusive negotiated solution.
• Canada provides funding for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue’s mediation efforts. Canada also finances international and local NGOs to support peacebuilding efforts and assist women peacebuilders.
• On March 11, 2021, I raised Canada’s concerns about the Northwest and Southwest regions with Cameroon's Minister of External Relations.

Supplementary messages

• Sanctions are an important component of Canada’s principled and pragmatic approach to foreign policy, which also includes dialogue, capacity building, advocacy, multilateral engagement, and other diplomatic actions. The decision to impose sanctions is not one that the Government takes lightly.

5G review

• The government is carefully examining the security challenges and potential threats involved in 5G technology, while recognizing the transformative importance of 5G advancements for continued economic development and prosperity.
• Canada’s examination considers a number of implications ranging from foreign policy coherence to technical, security, economic and legal implications of 5G.
• Canada views this issue as an important element within the context of our key relationships, in particular the United States.
• Ensuring Canada’s telecommunications network is secure from exploitation from malicious actors is key to protecting our shared critical infrastructure and advancing our shared economic interests.

Supplementary messages

• Protecting the critical systems and infrastructure Canadians rely on every day is a major priority of the Government of Canada and protecting telecommunications equipment and services from cyber threats is particularly important. We will ensure that Canadian networks are kept safe and secure.

Responsive, if asked about specific vendors:

• Canada takes the security of its telecommunications system very seriously. Since 2013, the Canadian security review program, led by CSE, has worked to mitigate the cybersecurity risks that stem from designated equipment and services, including from Huawei.
• The Government will continue to work in collaboration with telecommunications service providers and equipment vendors to mitigate cyber security risks in current and future networks as 5G technology is adopted by Canadians.
• Canada is working with our Five Eyes partners, other close allies and with national security experts to ensure that we take a decision on 5G which ensures our interests are protected and that Canada’s telecommunications system is safe from hostile actors over the long term.

Update

• Among Five Eyes partners, Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and U.S. have taken measures that either explicitly or in effect ban or restrict Huawei from supplying equipment for their future 5G networks. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) will continue 5G spectrum auctions in June 2021, wherein telecommunications service providers will bid for licenses to use the spectrum bands necessary to deliver 5G network services.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

• Finance Canada has the lead on Canada’s representation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
• As part of our commitment to promote sustainable development around the world, Canada is a member of several Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including the AIIB.
• AIIB membership is alongside long-time partners of Australia, France, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea and the UK.
• The AIIB has adopted the governance structures, policies and best practices of similar and longstanding MDBs.
• Canada’s engagement at the AIIB demonstrates Canada’s commitment to Asia, multilateralism and inclusive growth.

Supplementary messages

Responsive – AIIB Projects and Forced Labour

• Canada is not aware of any AIIB project that employs forced labour, which is strictly prohibited under the AIIB Environmental and Social Exclusion List.
• Compliance is monitored by dedicated specialists in AIIB project teams, as well as the Complaints-resolution, Evaluation and Integrity Unit (CEIU), which reports directly to the AIIB Board of Directors.
• Finance is the lead Department with regards to the AIIB. This was a decision taken inter-Departmentally and tracks with Finance being the lead for the World Bank and the IMF.

Supporting facts and figures

• In March 2018, Canada became the 64^th member of the AIIB.
• Canada sits on the AIIB Board of Directors, along with nine regional members, three non-regional members and 86 shareholder countries.
• The Minister of Finance is Canada’s Governor to AIIB’s Board of Governors. Canada’s Deputy Minister of International Trade is the Alternate Governor.
• As outlined in Budget 2017, the Government committed to invest $256 million to join the AIIB, representing a shareholding of approximately 1%.
• Canada has made four of five payments to date, each valued at US$39.82 million. These payments were made in March 2018, March 2019, March 2020 and March 2021. The next, and final, capital subscription payment is due in March 2022.
• 85% of Canada’s funding to the AIIB is considered official development assistance.
• AIIB projects co-financed with other multilateral development banks are with the IBRD (47%), ADB (42%), IFC (6%), EIB (3%) and EBRD (2%).

Background

AIIB: The AIIB was established in January 2016 and is based in Beijing, China. It is a relatively new MDB focused on economic development through infrastructure financing in Asia. The majority of the AIIB’s active projects are co-funded with other MDBs, and are therefore governed by well-established rules and norms, including those regarding financial sustainability. The AIIB has not co-financed any projects with Chinese policy banks, such as the China Development Bank (CDB) and Chinese Export-Import Bank (ExIm Bank).

AIIB Projects in China: To date, the AIIB has approved funding for four projects in China: Legend Capital Healthcare Technology Fund; Emergency Assistance to China Public Health Infrastructure Project; Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Low Carbon Energy Transition and Air Quality Improvement Project: and Beijing Air Quality Improvement and Coal Replacement.

CanSino vaccine

• The Government has pursued all avenues to ensure that Canada has the most diversified vaccine portfolio in the world.
• This included a COVID vaccine partnership between CanSino and the National Research Council (NRC) that did not yield results and which is now over.
• By investing over $1 billion to secure the earliest possible access to an approved COVID-19 vaccine, the Government has secured for Canadians more doses per person than any country in the world.

Supplementary messages

• Neither CanSino nor the Chinese government received any funding from the Government of Canada.
• Health Canada is tracking all potential COVID-19 vaccines in development, including CanSino’s, and working closely with domestic and international partners to ensure effective vaccines are made available to Canadians as quickly as possible.
• Canada welcomes collaboration on science, technology and innovation (STI) initiatives that are of benefit to Canada.
• Canada’s approach to STI collaboration with China is currently under review to ensure that activities undertaken not only support innovation and the advancement of science, but also bring long term benefits to Canadians.

Update

The National Research Council (NRC) announced on August 25, 2020, that it would move on to focus on partners other than CanSino as part of the global effort to combat COVID-19.

Background

In the early days of the pandemic, the CanSino candidate was among the most advanced in the world and was just one of many leads the government pursued. Under the agreement, CanSino would have provided its vaccine technology to the NRC at no cost to the NRC or Canada, as well as sufficient vaccine doses for early clinical trials.

Despite the department’s sustained advocacy efforts with Chinese interlocutors, Chinese authorities did not grant the necessary approval for the shipment of the CanSino vaccine candidate to Canada. In mid-July 2020, when exports of Chinese vaccine candidates to countries other than Canada were first approved, the Embassy in Beijing and the National Research Council (NRC) agreed that all possible efforts to secure approval had been made.

After these lengthy delays in receiving the CanSino vaccine, more promising candidates emerged, and the government decided to focus on those other opportunities to protect Canadians.

Vaccine research and support for CanSino Biologics

QUESTION: How much did the Government of Canada pay to Chinese vaccine maker CanSino as part of its failed vaccine deal?                                                                                                               

• Neither CanSino nor the Chinese government received any funding from the Government of Canada.
• In the early days of the pandemic, the CanSino candidate was among the most advanced in the world, and was just one of many leads the government pursued.
• Under the agreement, CanSino would have provided its vaccine technology to the National Research Council at no cost to the NRC or Canada, as well as sufficient vaccine doses for early clinical trials.
• After lengthy delays in receiving the CanSino vaccine, more promising candidates emerged and the government decided to focus on those other opportunities to protect Canadians.

Supplementary messages

• The health and safety of Canadians is the government’s top priority.
• Under the agreement with CanSino, the NRC would have received, free of charge, the right to use, produce, and reproduce the vaccine for emergency pandemic use at its facilities.
• Due to lengthy delays in the shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate doses, and the fact that the vaccine candidate had already entered Phase I and II clinical trials in other countries, it became clear that the opportunity to conduct clinical trials in Canada for this particular vaccine candidate had passed.
• Prior to and throughout this period, the NRC continued to collaborate with other vaccine developers, including VBI Vaccines and VIDO-Intervac, by providing scientific and technical expertise to accelerate the development of their COVID-19 vaccine candidates. These vaccine projects were among the first to receive financial support from the government.
• Both these organizations have now received approval from Health Canada to proceed with clinical trials.

If pressed on how Government of Canada funding was used for the CanSino collaboration:

• The NRC provided $250,000 in financial support to Dalhousie University to assist in efforts to prepare for clinical trials.

Background                                                                                                                                                  

The Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV) was ready to start Phase 1 clinical trials of CanSino’s vaccine candidate doses as early as June, after Health Canada's review and approval of the CanSino clinical trial proposal. The CCfV is a collaboration of Dalhousie University, the IWK Health Centre, and Nova Scotia Health Authority.

The agreement between the NRC and CanSino was reviewed prior to signature by CanSino’s collaborators in the Chinese government – the Beijing Institute of Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology – who had provided funding to CanSino.

Due to the delay in the shipment of the vaccine doses to Canada, and the fact that CanSino’s candidate was already in advanced testing in other countries, the NRC moved on to focus on other partners and COVID-19 priorities.

The NRC works with a range of Canadian therapeutic and vaccine companies, including:

• VBI Vaccines (based in Massachusetts, with research operations in Ottawa) to develop an enveloped virus-like particle vaccine that targets COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS): https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200331005198/en/VBI-Vaccines- Announces-Collaboration-National-Research-Council; and
• The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization- International Vaccine Centre (VIDO), to accelerate the development and production of a candidate COVID-19 antigen in mammalian cells for a protein subunit vaccine candidate: https://www.canada.ca/en/national-research-council/news/2020/05/the-national- research-council-of-canada-and-usasks-vido-intervac-collaborate-to-advance-development-of- vaccine-against-covid-19.html

Belt and Road Initiative

• Canada has not taken a position on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Canada calls on China to address concerns raised by the international community around transparency, governance and financial sustainability, and to fulfill its obligations under established rules and norms.
• We support opportunities for Canadian companies to engage in global infrastructure initiatives that seek quality and professionalism, all while respecting international standards on transparency and governance.

Supplementary messages

• Canada has not taken a formal position on the BRI but evaluates individual projects on a case-by-case basis, assessing them against international norms and best practices.
• Canada, along with likeminded partners in multilateral organizations, continues work to improve international standards and best practices on debt transparency and sustainability.
• Any BRI-linked provincial agreements remain a provincial matter.

Responsive – BRI and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

• The BRI is a Chinese national foreign policy and development strategy, while the AIIB is a multilateral development bank with the governance structures, policies and best practices of similar and longstanding MDBs.

Update

In April 2021, Australia used the Foreign Arrangements Scheme (2020) to cancel two BRI deals between China and the State of Victoria, citing foreign policy concerns.

Supporting facts and figures

• According to China's National Development and Reform Commission, as of January 2021, the PRC has signed 203 BRI cooperation documents with 138 countries and 31 international organizations.
• Canada's official engagement with the BRI is limited to the inaugural meeting of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in May 2017 in Beijing, where Canada was represented by Parliamentary Secretary for International Trade, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones. The second BRF was held April 25-27, 2019, in Beijing. The Government of Canada was not invited to participate.
• Despite limited transparency, there is a general consensus among leading researchers that BRI-linked spending could approximate USD $1 trillion overall.

Background

Established in 2013 as President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy strategy, the BRI aims to foster greater economic linkages and improve trade routes, primarily across the Eurasian, African and South American continents.

The BRI provides opportunities for China to leverage its economic capacity to diversify its international commercial relationships, secure strategic supply chains and resources, gain regional influence and advance long-term geopolitical objectives. No specific time limit has been imposed on the BRI, nor is there a defined budget, fixed list of projects, or a specific template or definition for what constitutes a BRI project.

Significant and widespread concerns have been raised by the international community as to whether the BRI conforms to established principles, rules and norms for international development surrounding human rights, financial sustainability and environmental protection.

Foreign Interference

Canada has been studying the issue of foreign agent registries, including examining those in place in US and Australia. On April 13, 2021 MP Kenny Chiu introduced bill C-282 creating an act to establish the foreign influence registry. This Bill is currently at First Reading.

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China consular cases

• Canada continues to call for the immediate release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been arbitrarily detained in China for more than two years.
• Canada remains deeply troubled by the total lack of transparency surrounding their trials. Canada is grateful to all who have joined in expressing concerns about these cases.
• Canada is also deeply concerned by the arbitrary sentencing of Robert Schellenberg and calls for clemency for all Canadians facing the death penalty.
• Canada opposes the death penalty in all cases. We have raised our firm position on this issue with China and will continue to do so.
• Due to the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed.

Supplementary messages

• Canada is deeply concerned by the detention of Mr. Huseyincan Celil and we continue to raise this case at senior levels.
• We continue to call upon the Chinese government to give Canadian officials consular access in order to determine Mr. Celil's well-being.
• Due to provisions of the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed.

Update

After access was interrupted in January 2020, Canadian officials regained consular access to Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor, and Robert Schellenberg in October 2020. Canadian officials most recently held virtual consular visits to Mr. Kovrig on April 29, 2021, Mr. Spavor on April 30, 2021 and Mr. Schellenberg on March 17, 2021. [PLACEHOLDER Canadian officials have requested to conduct next consular visits in May 2021].

The trials of Mr. Spavor and Mr. Kovrig took place on March 19 and March 22, 2021, respectively. Canadian officials sought consular access to both men prior to the hearings and requested to attend the trials. Both requests were denied. The verdict in both cases remains pending.

Canada is deeply troubled by the total lack of transparency surrounding these hearings and continues to work toward an immediate end to the arbitrary detention of these men. Canadian officials continue to seek ongoing and meaningful consular access to Mr. Spavor and Mr. Kovrig, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the China-Canada Consular Agreement.

Canadians have received a death penalty sentence in China. Canada has raised its opposition to the death penalty with China and continues high-level advocacy for clemency in these cases.

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Hong Kong

• Canada remains deeply concerned over the rapid deterioration of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.
• Canada strongly supports continued adherence to the One Country, Two Systems framework under Hong Kong’s Basic Law.
• A stable and prosperous Hong Kong, where the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms are guaranteed, is in everyone’s interest.
• Canada will continue to work with international partners to hold Hong Kong and Chinese central authorities to account for breaching international obligations that commit them to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s immigration policy and Hong Kong

• In response to the imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in June 2020, Canada announced export control restrictions, an update to the travel advice and the suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) complemented these actions with new immigration measures targeted at young people from Hong Kong in November 2020. In February 2021, IRCC Minister Marco Mendicino announced that Hong Kong residents would be able to apply for new open work permits beginning on February 8, 2021.
• Global Affairs Canada continues to monitor moves by Beijing to further restrict rights and freedoms and to erode Hong Kong’s autonomy.
• In consultation with our partners, Canada is examining options for advocacy and mitigation, including in response to the extraterritorial implications of the National Security Law.

Hong Kong Immigration (Amendment) Bill and fears of “exit bans”

• The Government of Canada is very concerned by the broad powers this new immigration law seems to confer.
• We are monitoring the situation closely.
• The right to leave Hong Kong is guaranteed under the Basic Law and should be upheld.
• Canada will continue to work with its partners to ensure fundamental rights and freedoms are respected.

Supporting facts and figures

• Hong Kong boasts one of the largest Canadian communities abroad (an estimated 300,000 people, based on survey data).
• There is an estimated 175,000 Canadian-educated Hong Kong residents and many people from Hong Kong living in Canada.
• Hong Kong is represented in Canada by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, in Ottawa. Hong Kong also has an economic and trade office in Toronto, in addition to a liaison office in Vancouver.
• Canada and Hong Kong have productive cooperation in the context of multilateral organizations of which they are both members, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the World Trade Organization.

Background

In June 2020, the National People’s Congress of China imposed the National Security Law in Hong Kong, which led to the rapid erosion of rights and freedoms in the Special Administration Region. Hong Kong’s protest movement has weakened considerably since the introduction of the law and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The escalating clampdown on rights and freedoms by authorities has compelled Canada, in concert with its international partners, to issue numerous statements of concern with respect to Hong Kong, including most recently regarding the targeting of ten of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy activists for participation in a peaceful assembly.

QP Note - Hong Kong

ISSUE: New immigration measures were announced in response to the situation in Hong Kong related to the passage of national security legislation on June 30, 2020, by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China.

PROPOSED RESPONSE

• The ties that bind Canada and Hong Kong run deep, and with many young Hong Kong residents casting their eyes abroad, we want them to choose Canada to study, work and settle.
• In addition to our recent initiatives to assist them, since Feb. 8 Hong Kong residents are able to apply for new open work permits. Valid for up to 3 years, these permits will allow them to gain valuable employment experience and make significant contributions to Canada.
• New permanent resident pathways, available later this year will also benefit Hong Kong residents in Canada under existing work and study permits.
• Other measures have been put in place to help ensure that Canadians and Canadian permanent residents living in Hong Kong have the support they need to come home at any time.

If pressed:

• Foreign nationals including Hong Kong residents in Canada continue to have access to the asylum system. Individuals who are eligible to make a claim are referred to the IRB, an independent tribunal, which decides whether or not an individual is in need of protection, based on the merits of their case.
• Individuals who are located outside of their country and have no other durable solution may be referred to Canada for resettlement by the UNHCR or may be privately sponsored.
• Arrests or convictions outside of Canada for acts that are not considered to be equivalent to an offence in Canada would generally not make someone inadmissible to Canada for asylum/immigration purposes.

If pressed on passport

• It is unclear what impact China and Hong Kong’s recent decisions to no longer recognize the British National Overseas (BN(O)) passport will have on Canada’s programs. Canada cannot control these sovereign decisions or any related constraints placed on travellers. Canada does continue to recognize the BN(O) passport for the purpose of entering Canada.
• Since late last year, the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong has been undertaking contingency planning to ensure that emergency passport services can be provided if needed. During the past year, Canada’s mission also completed a robust outreach campaign encouraging Canadian citizens working, studying and living in Hong Kong to ensure that they have valid Canadian travel documents.

If pressed traveling to Canada

• Many people from Hong Kong may travel to Canada under existing border-related exemptions, including immediate and extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as eligible international students.
• Current travel restrictions mean some Hong Kong residents applying for the new open work permit may not be able to travel to Canada at this time, unless they have an active and current job offer or meet a travel exemption and comply with all public health requirements.
• However, prioritizing the processing of their open work permit application will give them assurance to plan for a move to Canada once they can travel here.

Background

Current situation in Hong Kong

• In Hong Kong, civil unrest began in June 2019 in opposition to a bill allowing criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
• Protests evolved to encompass demands for broader democratic reforms and an independent investigation into police treatment of protestors. They impacted various sectors of society, including the financial district, universities, the airport, major roadways and subway system.
• The COVID-19 global pandemic and subsequent containment measures brought in by the Hong Kong Government saw a pause of the protests.
• On June 30, 2020, China passed a much-anticipated National Security Law for Hong Kong, which went into effect that night. The law was not made public until implemented and was drafted without inclusive consultation and through a process that circumvented Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.
• Since it was passed, several waves of arrests have taken place. Notably, on January 5, 2021, 53 former lawmakers, district councillors and democracy activists were arrested under the national security law on charges of subversion in relation to organizing and/or participating in the pan-democrat primaries ahead of the postponed September 2020 Legislative Council election.
• To date, there has been no surge in departures from Hong Kong, but the situation continues to evolve.
• Canada has seen an increase in applications for study permits and extensions to stay in Canada as a visitor (visitor record) from Hong Kong residents.
• The mission in Hong Kong has been fully operational amid the global pandemic and civil unrest. There has been no disruption to immigration operations in Hong Kong. All staff continued to report to work throughout the months of protests, but has experienced periodic reductions to in- office staff levels during the pandemic.
• The UK Hong Kong British Nationals Overseas (BN(O)) Visa launched on January 31. The Visa will be valid for up to 5 years, and holders may apply for permanent residence after that period. BN(O) citizens will not need to hold a BN(O) passport to apply.
• On January 29, China and Hong Kong both announced they would no longer recognize the BN(O) passport as a valid travel document or proof of identity. Nor can the BN(O) passport be used for immigration clearance in Hong Kong. It is unclear what these declarations mean in practical terms, as Hong Kong residents may continue to use their Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card to enter and leave the territory.
• From the Canadian perspective, BN(O) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports continue to be recognized traveldocuments for the purpose of entering Canada.

Canada’s response - New temporary and permanent pathways for Hong Kong youth

• In addition to existing work and study options for Hong Kong youth, a new work permit initiative specific to Hong Kong youth will provide open work permits of up to 3 years to those with recently completed post- secondary studies in the last 5 years. This new measure was launched Feb. 8.
• Once in Canada, 2 new pathways to permanent residence are also being created and will be available later in 2021:
  • The first will target former Hong Kong residents who have gained a minimum of 1 year of authorized work experience in Canada at any skill level and meet other criteria such as minimum language and education levels.
  • The second pathway will be for those who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada. These individuals can then apply directly for permanent residence and will not require work experience.

Additional measures being implemented for Hong Kong

• Providing passports or Travel Documents to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to return home.
• We have waived application processing fees for Hong Kong residents in Canada on a temporary basis who choose to apply to renew their status and extend their stay.
• Increasing promotion and recruitment efforts to attract Hong Kong youth to study in Canada and in other program areas, including International Experience Canada. IRCC resumed processing International Experience Canada applications on November 12, 2020, which had been paused due to COVID-19.
• Increasing promotion of super visas, which are multi-entry visas for parents and grandparents that allow for multiple entries to Canada of up to 2 years at a time for a period of up to 10 years.
• Allocating resources to speed up processing of Hong Kong permanent residence applications, including for family sponsorship. Spouses or common-law partners who have applied for permanent residence from within Canada can apply for an open work permit.
• Ensuring that qualifying permanent residents can access pre-arrival and in-country settlement information and services.
• Due to the worsening conditions in Hong Kong that could put some individuals at risk, IRCC has implemented an exemption to the 12-month bar on a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) for Hong Kong residents.

Travel restrictions

• The measures being implemented by IRCC do not exempt Hong Kong residents from the existing travel restrictions that are in place due to COVID-19. However, Canadians and permanent residents living in Hong Kong can return to Canada at any time.
• Certain exemptions to the current travel restrictions have been established to allow for non-discretionary travel of foreign nationals to Canada. This includes an exemption for permanent residence applicants, who had their applications approved prior to March 18, 2020, are located overseas, and wish to travel to Canada to become landed as Canadian permanent residentsImmediate family members of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and persons registered under the Indian Act, such as spouses, common-law partners, dependent children or parents or step-parents, are exempt from the travel restrictions, provided they are staying in Canada for at least 15 days and meet standard eligibility and admissibility, as well as public health and mandatory quarantine requirements. Extended family members, including grandparents, are also allowed to travel to Canada provided they receive authorization from IRCC.
• As of October 2020, international students with a valid study permit or who received a letter of introduction from IRCC may be authorized to enter Canada, provided that they are enrolled to study at a designated learning institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan that has been approved by their province or territory. In addition, individuals wishing to enter Canada for compassionate reasons, such as to attend the death or funeral of a loved one, are now eligible to apply for authorization from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to travel to Canada on compassionate grounds.
• As of January 6, 2021, all individuals over the age of 5 that are traveling to Canada via air are required to provide the airline with a negative molecular PCR test for COVID-19, conducted within 72 hours prior to the flight’s scheduled departure, in order to be granted boarding. This applies to both Canadians and foreign nationals, with very limited exceptions. Testing is readily available in Hong Kong, where a network of Community Testing Centres provides self-paid testing services with results available within 24 hours.
• On January 29, 2021, the Government announced additional testing and quarantine requirements for those traveling to Canada via air. All travelers will be required to take a PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport upon arrival and to quarantine at an-approved hotel for up to 3 days while awaiting these results, all at the traveler’s own expense. If a traveler’s test result is positive, they will be transferred to a PHAC quarantine facility. If a traveler’s test result is negative, they may be released to finish the remainder of their 14-day quarantine at a suitable location of their choice. These measures are anticipated to come into force in mid-February and will apply to Hong Kong residents.

Refugee resettlement

• Refugee resettlement to Canada remains significantly limited by the border restriction measures implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Hong Kong residents who are located outside of their country and fear persecution can register with the UNHCR or another designated referral organization and be referred for resettlement on the basis of a well- founded fear of persecution due to political opinion and/or other applicable reasons. Hong Kong residents located outside of their country can be referred to Canada through the Refugee Resettlement Program if a referral organization determines this to be the best solution for them. Private sponsors in Canada may also submit applications to sponsor and resettle refugees to Canada who meet program criteria.
• The 1951 Refugee Convention and Canadian regulations require that foreign nationals be outside their home country in order to be eligible for resettlement. Canada cannot, therefore, accept resettlement applications at the mission in the country of alleged persecution.
• Refugees who face immediate risks may be resettled under Canada’s Urgent Protection Program. This program provides expedited resettlement to refugees whose life, liberty, or safety is immediately threatened.

Measures for Hong Kong human rights defenders at risk

• In Hong Kong, as everywhere, there are discretionary measures available that may be used to facilitate admission to Canada for applicants facing exceptional circumstances.

Commitment to implement a new refugee stream for human rights defenders

• We are concerned by the dangers that human rights defenders face all around the world, including those from Hong Kong.
• We have committed to introducing a dedicated refugee stream for human rights defenders at risk, in addition to our existing refugee resettlement program.
• 250 government assisted refugee spaces have been added to the Immigration Levels Plan from 2021-2023 for these human rights defenders, and the program is on track to be implemented this spring.
• Canada is one of the first countries to establish a dedicated refugee resettlement stream to protect human rights defenders at risk.

Canadians and Canadian permanent residents residing in Hong Kong

• Global Affairs Canada estimates that there are nearly 300,000 Canadian citizens residing in Hong Kong.
• Under the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China, dual nationality is not legally recognized in Hong Kong and local authorities may refuse to grant consular access to detained dual nationals who declare themselves as Chinese nationals.
• Global Affairs Canada received a first indication of a Canada dual- national prisoner in Hong Kong being required to make such a declaration on January 18, 2021. We are aware of other similar incidents involving dual nationals of other countries.
• Canada has expressed its concern to the Hong Kong Government and continues to seek additional information from local authorities on any changes to the treatment of dual nationals. Canada continues to work with our likeminded partners to ensure the rights and safety of dual nationals in Hong Kong are protected.
• The number of Canadian Permanent Residents currently residing in Hong Kong is unknown, but could be quite high.
• The Canadian community in Hong Kong is well established and has remained in place during extended periods of protests. The differing COVID-19 curves, economic downturn and winter season make it unlikely that many will consider departing for Canada immediately. However, this is likely to continue to evolve based on further developments in Hong Kong. If needed, GAC and IRCC are well placed to manage any increase in applications.
• IRCC has not experienced a surge in requests from citizens applying for new passports or requests for Travel Documents from permanent residents in Hong Kong

Canadian Immigration and Passport Services in Hong Kong

• The IRCC migration office in Hong Kong continues to process temporary and permanent resident applications within the constraints of the Ministerial Instructions and Orders in Council.
• The Canadian Consulate General in Hong Kong also delivers one of the largest passport operations abroad, and has dedicated resources devoted solely to providing passport services to Canadians.

Bilateral military training with China

• The Government recognizes the importance of developing stronger relations with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including China.
• However, the Government also acknowledges the situation has changed with China. That is why the Department of National Defence, in consultation with Global Affairs Canada, is carefully reviewing its engagement activities with China.
• The last time the Canadian Armed Forces engaged in bilateral military training exercises with China was in 2018. No bilateral military training with China has been conducted or planned since that time.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada continues to work with National Defence to ensure that all engagement activities are aligned with Canada’s foreign policy.
• Canada will continue to engage in the broader Indo-Pacific region in a manner that promotes peace, security, and respect for international law.

Update

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have traditionally maintained limited defence ties with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), guided by the Cooperation Plan Initiative (CPI) signed by the Canadian and Chinese Defence Ministers in 2013. The CPI outlines the types of military activities to be pursued between the CAF and the PLA. While the CAF has not conducted any recent bilateral engagement activities with the PLA, the CPI remains in force as a non-binding agreement. The last formal CAF-PLA bilateral training activity took place in February 2018, when a PLA delegation observed winter survival training at CFB Petawawa. The last major multilateral activity hosted in China was the participation of a CAF delegation in the World Military Games in October 2019.

Supporting facts and figures

• In January 2018, the CAF sent a delegation to China to observe winter training conducted by the PLA.
• In February 2018, the PLA sent a delegation to Canada to observe winter survival training conducted by the CAF.
• In early 2019, Canada cancelled the joint winter training observation with the PLA planned for April 2019.

Meng Wanzhou arrest and U.S. extradition request

• Canada is a rule of law country with an independent judiciary. There was no political interference in the arrest of Ms. Meng Wanzhou, nor in any of the decisions in the judicial process.
• Extradition in Canada is conducted in conformity with the Extradition Act, our extradition treaties and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
• Ms. Meng is being afforded a fair process before the British Columbia Supreme Court in accordance with extradition law and our Treaty with the United States.

Supplementary messages

• Canada respects its international legal commitments, including by honouring its extradition treaty with the United States.
• The rule of law is fundamental to all free societies; we will defend and uphold this principle and will not compromise or politicize the rule of law and due process.
• Canada is grateful to those who have spoken in support of the rule of law as fundamental to free societies.
• Ms. Meng is being afforded a fair process and every opportunity to present a defense. Ms. Meng’s team has acknowledged that her arrest was necessary and the process is not arbitrary.

Procurement of physical security equipment (Nuctech)

• A standing offer for x-ray equipment was awarded to Nuctech by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in July 2020. Global Affairs Canada has not and will not use the Nuctech standing offer.
• Deloitte was contracted by Global Affairs Canada to conduct an independent review of the procurement process for security equipment and the Nuctech Standing Offer. The review confirms opportunities for improvements, which the department is acting on.
• The department’s revised procurement approach will include consultations with security experts and creating a National Security Exception to limit solicitations to trusted suppliers with the required security clearances.
• The department’s current priority is to establish an interim procurement instrument that will allow GAC to procure for Xray machines for urgent needs while a new Standing Offer, aligned with GAC’s current security posture, is established with the assistance of PSPC.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada is developing a procurement approach that will include: creating a National Security Exemption for security equipment which will enable Global Affairs Canada to limit solicitations to trusted suppliers; applying the recommendations from the July 2020 threat and risk assessment to create and vet a list of trusted suppliers; and carefully managing the publication of information related to security equipment procurements.

Update

PSPC and GAC, in consultation with CSE, are collaborating on an interim procurement strategy for GAC’s x-ray machines and services requirements for cases where x-ray machines have become obsolete are unrepairable or there is an imminent need.

GAC is also moving forward with the establishment of National Security Exemptions on key security equipment.

Regional maritime tensions

• Canada is concerned about China’s escalatory and destabilizing activities in the East and South China Seas, including recently off the coast of the Philippines.
• This includes the militarization of disputed features; the use of naval, coast guard and maritime militia vessels to intimidate and threaten the ships of other claimant states; and the unilateral declaration of administrative authority over the Spratly and Paracel Islands.
• Canada opposes all unilateral actions that escalate tensions and undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order.

Supplementary messages

• Since 2016, Canada and its G7 partners have consistently expressed their opposition to unilateral actions that escalate regional tensions and undermine regional stability in the South and East China Seas.
• Canada supports lawful commerce, navigation and overflight rights, as well as the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal states in the South China Sea, exercised in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Update

Regional tensions have heightened as China has pursued a more assertive policy to advance its claims in the South China Sea (SCS) and East China Sea (ECS) through repeated entries by Chinese naval, coast guard and militia fishing vessels in disputed waters, including off the coasts of Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam. In March 2021, a large fleet of more than 200 Chinese vessels were anchored around Whitsun Reef in the SCS, prompting protests from the Philippines and Vietnam, which both have claims there, as well as the United States. China has also increased the pace and scale of land reclamation and construction of military facilities on disputed features and artificial islands. These escalatory and destabilizing actions are eroding the rules-based international order. ASEAN claimant states (the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam), as well as Indonesia, have become increasingly outspoken regarding China's actions in the SCS. Japan has also criticized the increasing presence of Chinese vessels near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the ECS, which reached a new peak in 2019-2020.

Tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated concurrently. In July 2020, theU.S. announced a more forward leaning policy towards maritime claims in the SCS, which includes a rejection of any Chinese claim to waters beyond a 12-nautical mile territorial sea derived from land features it claims in the Spratly Islands. The U.S. and Japan reiterated their objections to China’s “unlawful” maritime claims and activities in the SCS in a joint statement in April 2021. In September 2020, the U.K., France and Germany submitted essentially identical note verbales to the UN challenging the legality of elements of China’s maritime claims in the SCS, as being inconsistent with UNCLOS.

The U.S. has also increased the frequency of its “Freedom of Navigation Operations” (FONOPs) to challenge China’s claims. Canada does not conduct FONOPS-type operations and, as a general approach, does not take position on the maritime disputes of other states.

Supporting facts and figures

• With over $5 trillion of the world's trade passing through the SCS annually, the disputes are threatening regional stability and security, with the potential to disrupt the global economy. The SCS is also rich in fish stocks, oil and gas reserves, fueling competition overfishing rights and offshore energy exploration.

Taiwan

• Since 1970, Canada’s One China Policy has recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate government of China, noting – but not endorsing or challenging – its position on Taiwan.
• Although Canada does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, our shared interests are extensive, and we have been able to maintain valuable economic, cultural and people-to-people ties with Taiwan.
• Canada continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations where there is a practical imperative and where Taiwan’s absence would be detrimental to global interests.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s One China Policy

• Canada’s One China Policy permits active cooperation with Taiwan and the development of relations based on shared democratic values and complementary interests.

Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations

• Canada supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations—such as the World Health Assembly and the ICAO Assembly— where there is a practical imperative and where Taiwan’s absence would be detrimental to global interests.
• Canada supports Taiwan’s participation as an observer at the World Health Assembly.

Cross-Strait tensions

• Canada is concerned by the recent escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait, such as the increase in People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) exercises in the Taiwan Strait.
• Canada urges restraint over actions that undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and to avoid moves that could unilaterally change the status quo.

Canada-Taiwan Economic Consultations

• The 16^th Canada-Taiwan Economic Consultations (CTEC) took place virtually on November 24, 2020.
• CTEC is Canada’s highest-level dialogue with Taiwan and is an opportunity to exchange views and proposals to deepen our trade and investment relationship.

CPTPP Accession and Canada-Taiwan FIPA

• Canada and Taiwan continue to promote people-to-people ties that support fast- growing bilateral trade, investment and innovation partnerships on a foundation of shared democratic values, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Responsive: Taiwan CPTPP accession

• Canada welcomes the interest of any economy that wishes to join the CPTPP.
• Taiwan has expressed an interest in potentially acceding to the CPTPP but has not yet applied to do so.
• As we have done with other economies like Thailand, South Korea, Canadian officials have informally responded to questions from Taiwan about the accession process.

Update

In recent months, PLAAF aircraft have increased the frequency and scale of military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

In November 2020, when the World Health Assembly resumed its session, Taiwan was once again not invited to participate as an observer in the Assembly over objections from the PRC and its international partners.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada is represented in Taiwan by the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT), a locally incorporated entity staffed by Canadian government employees.
• Canada and Taiwan hold annual economic consultations (led at the ADM-level on the Canadian side and Vice-Minister level on the Taiwanese side) which allow for senior officials to proactively engage on bilateral irritants and seek out new areas for cooperation.
• According to Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council, there are an estimated 186,000 Canadians of Taiwan descent (2018) living in Canada.

Tibet

• Remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation affecting Tibetans, including restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief, and the protection of linguistic and cultural rights.
• Canadian officials raised concerns over the treatment of Tibetans both publicly and privately with Chinese counterparts.
• Call on the Government of China to respect the rights of Tibetans, release prisoners of conscience, and take steps to improve the human rights situation in Tibetan areas.

Supplementary messages

• While Canadian diplomats have on occasion been permitted to travel to Tibet, access to Tibet remains tightly controlled.
• Canada is committed to constructive exchanges with China on human rights, including through high-level visits, public statements, advocacy, and diplomatic dialogue.

Update

Canada’s Ambassador to China, Dominic Barton participated in a Chinese government hosted visit to Lhasa, Tibet from October 26-30, 2020. This was the first visit to Tibet by a Government of Canada official since 2015.

On March 11, 2021, at the 46^th session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, Canada expressed concerns over deeply troubling reports of deaths in custody of Tibetans.

Supporting facts and figures

• According to People’s Republic of China’s statistics, there are approximately 6.2 million Tibetans worldwide. The majority live in China, but also in India, Nepal and Bhutan. There are 8,040 Tibetans living in Canada (2016- latest data available).
• Canada recognizes the Dalai Lama as an internationally respected spiritual leader, Nobel Laureate and honorary Canadian citizen (September 2006).
• As of 2019, the central government in Tibet required all international visitors to apply for a travel permit to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).
• There are ongoing reports of the arbitrary detention of Tibetans in China, as well as recent reports of deaths in custody of Tibetans. Tibetan Tashi Wangchuk was released from prison in late January 2021 after serving a five- year prison sentence for inciting separatism related to his language rights advocacy.
• On October 27, 2020, in a statement on International Religious Freedom Day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated concerns over the ongoing persecution of faith and belief communities in China, including Tibetan Buddhists.

Question Period Note - Date: March 9, 2021

Import Prohibition on Goods Produced by Forced Labour

Issue: Recent media coverage regarding shipments from companies suspected of using forced labour.

Proposed Response:

The Government of Canada is committed to upholding human rights and international labour standards.

Goods that are mined, manufactured, or produced wholly or in part by forced labour, are prohibited from entering Canada. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is the

Government of Canada’s lead department for labour-related programs, and the CBSA works closely with ESDC to identify goods that have been produced by forced labour and prevent their entry into Canada.

The CBSA takes its responsibilities to prevent the importation of goods produced by forced labour very seriously. Generally, all goods entering Canada, may be subject to a more in-depth exam. The CBSA uses a risk management approach to determine which goods entering Canada require a secondary examination.

The CBSA prohibits such goods from entering Canada when it has sufficient evidence to do so.

Importers of goods classified under tariff item No. 9897.00.00 may appeal the classification as prohibited, re-export the goods or abandon the goods.

CBSA and ESDC have recently established a Memorandum of Understanding to enable this cooperation further to the CUSMA.

Import Prohibition on Goods Produced by Forced Labour

Background:

Canada has imposed an importation ban on goods that were produced by forced labour, as described in An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States, which received Royal Assent on March 13, 2020. As described in paragraph 202(8), Chapter 98 item No. 9897.00.00 of the Customs Tariff, the law has been amended to include a reference prohibiting goods mined, manufactured or produced wholly or in part by forced labour. These amendments made under the Act came into force in Canada on

July 1, 2020, as outlined in CBSA Customs Notice 20-23, Import prohibition on goods produced wholly or in part by forced labour.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is the Government of Canada’s lead department for labour-related programs and the CBSA works closely with ESDC to identify goods that have been produced by forced labour and prevent their entry into Canada. ESDC’s Labour Program is actively monitoring and researching evidence related to problematic supply chains, and documented evidence of goods being produced with forced labour is transmitted for CBSA’s consideration. The CBSA conducts risk analyses on goods entering the country to determine if they are admissible. The CBSA may use this information to identify and intercept shipments containing goods that have been identified as suspected to have been produced by forced labour.

The CBSA and ESDC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on February 24, 2021, which establishes the enforcement strategy for preventing the importation of goods produced by forced labour.

Shipments containing goods suspected of being produced by forced labour will be detained at the border for inspection by a border services officer. If in the judgement of the officer the goods were produced by forced labour, the officer will apply the tariff classification under chapter 9897 and prohibit the goods from entering Canada. Importers of goods classified under tariff item No.

9897.00.00 may appeal the classification as prohibited, re-export the goods or abandon the goods.

Tariff Classification determinations are made on a case-by-case basis for each specific shipment, based on available supporting evidence and analysis. As such, the Customs Tariff can not be used to prohibit the importation of goods solely on the basis of originating from a specific country or region, though it can serve of as a key indicator of risk. Implementing such restrictions would fall under the purview of Global Affairs Canada.

The Customs Tariff import prohibition is the only legislative enforcement tool in Canadian law regarding the importation of goods produced by forced labour.

Importers are encouraged to work with their foreign suppliers to ensure that any goods imported into Canada have not been mined, manufactured or produced wholly or in part by forced or compulsory labour.

The Government of Canada expects companies to take every step possible to ensure that their supply chains conform to Canadian law with respect to the prohibition on the import of forced labour. It is the responsibility of the importing company to conduct due diligence on its supply chains to ensure that it is not directly or indirectly sourcing products from entities implicated in forced labour or other human rights violations.

Forced labour (global supply chains)

• The Government of Canada is committed to upholding human rights and international labour standards.
• ESDC-Labour contributes in many ways to addressing labour exploitation in supply chains, including forced labour.
• For example, ESDC-Labour leads the negotiations of comprehensive and enforceable labour provisions in free trade agreements, has engaged in public consultations on possible measures to address labour exploitations in supply chains, and addresses this issue in international fora, including the International Labour Organization.
• To operationalize the recent forced labour import prohibition that flows from the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, ESDC-Labour collaborates actively with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and monitors and researches evidence related to problematic supply chains, including cotton and tomato products from the Xinjiang region of China and certain products from Malaysia.
• ESDC-Labour is performing its due diligence through research and analysis before the department is in a position to provide a fact-based analysis of specific goods to the CBSA, for its consideration and possible enforcement.

Key facts

Forced Labour Prohibition

• In November 2018, Canada signed the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). One of the obligations of the Agreement is for each Party to prohibit the importation of goods that have been produced in whole or in part by forced or compulsory labour.
• Consequently, Canada amended the Customs Tariff and the Schedule to the Customs Tariff to include a prohibition on the importation of goods that are mined, manufactured or produced wholly or in part by forced labour. This amendment took effect upon entry into force of CUSMA on July 1, 2020.
• While the forced labour ban was implemented to fulfill a CUSMA obligation, it applies to all imports, regardless of origin.
• Since establishing that goods have been produced by forced labour requires significant research and analysis, ESDC-Labour will continue to be the lead department for labour-related programs, and CBSA will continue to support ESDC-Labour’s research into suspected cases of companies importing goods produced by forced labour.
• ESDC-Labour is actively monitoring and researching evidence related to problematic supply chains, including cotton and tomato products from the Xinjiang region of China as well as certain products from Malaysia, and documented evidence of goods being produced with forced labour is transmitted for the CBSA’s consideration.
• The risk analysis to establish the likelihood that a specific shipment contains goods produced with forced labour is made on a case-by-case basis, based on available information and analysis. The International Labour Organization’s Indicators of Forced Labour can be considered as a reference to support the identification of forced labour practices in supply chains.
• The CBSA may use this information to identify and intercept shipments containing goods that have been identified as suspected to have been produced by forced labour.

Supply Chain Legislation

• In spring 2019, the Government of Canada conducted public consultations with a range of stakeholders on possible measures to address labour exploitation in supply chains. Depending on the legislative model used, supply chain legislation could mandate businesses operating in a certain jurisdiction to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for human rights (including labour rights) violations in their operations and supply chains.

Modern Slavery Bill

• On October 29, 2020, Senate Bill S-216 entitled An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff (formerly Bill S-211, under same title) was introduced in the Senate and is currently at Second Reading.
• The Bill would impose an obligation on organizations that meet certain criteria (e.g., are listed on a stock exchange in Canada, or meet certain thresholds, such as annual revenues) to report on the measures taken to prevent and reduce the risk that forced labour or child labour is used at any step in the production of goods in Canada or elsewhere by the entity or in the production of goods imported into Canada. The Act would provide for an inspection regime and designates the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness as being responsible for its implementation.

Background

Forced Labour Ban

• Under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Labour Chapter, the three partner countries included an obligation for each party to prohibit the importation of goods produced in whole or in part by forced labour.
• In order to meet its CUSMA obligations, Canada amended the Customs Tariff and its Schedule (No. 9897.00.00), to add this import prohibition, which applies to all goods, irrespective of their country of origin. Goods that are mined, manufactured or produced wholly or in part by forced labour are exempted from the provisions of tariff item No. 9897.00.00 when imported solely for personal use and are not for sale or for any business or occupational use.
• The Customs Tariff already included a prohibition on the importation of goods made with prison labour.
• Labour Program and CBSA officials have been refining an approach to operationalize this new prohibition.
• The Labour Program’s role mostly focusses on reviewing commercial import allegations (or complaints) and researching relevant facts. The Labour Program may also proactively research potential violations to the import prohibition. It is expected that the use of technology will facilitate this work as well as the monitoring of suspected forced labour in global supply chains. The Labour Program will then produce a report on the forced labour allegation signalling to CBSA the likelihood that the goods were produced by forced labour and/or prison labour.
• As part of the newly announced Canadian approach to protect human rights in China and address the risks of forced labour being used in global supply chains, the prohibition on forced labour is described as providing Canada with “…a basis for enforcement against goods produced by forced labour originating in or transferred from Xinjiang’’. The forced labour prohibition is therefore a key feature of Canada’s approach, which is complemented by a number of other measures, including an integrity declaration for companies to sign in exchange for benefiting from the support of the Trade Commissioner Service; a business advisory on doing business with Xinjiang-related entities; enhanced advice on due diligence and risk mitigation related to supply chains and forced labour; and stricter export controls.
• The ongoing dialogue with the U.S. has been productive as Canada is developing its approach to the ban’s operationalization. This collaboration is expected to strengthen over time, particularly in light of 1) the recent announcement of measures to address human rights abuses in Xinjiang, which highlights the key role of the prohibition on the importation of goods made with forced labour in Canada’s comprehensive approach to defending the rights of Uyghurs; and 2) the U.S.’s January 13, 2021, decision to detain cotton products and tomato products produced in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
• In addition to working closely with the CBSA, ESDC-Labour collaborates with Global Affairs Canada as well as with Public Services and Procurement Canada, notably to facilitate the assessment of labour practices and identification of potential risks areas in supply chains, including government procurement. ESDC-Labour also provides information on its role in the operationalization of the ban to industry members (e.g., customs brokers, associations of importers/exporters) that are seeking clarifications or wish to express their views.
• Jurisdictions that have recently taken measures to prohibit the import of goods made with forced labour have had an enforcement regime in place for several years, after extensive research, analysis and validation processes. They take their responsibility to ensure due diligence in their analysis seriously and so does Canada.
• For this reason, ESDC-Labour is performing its due diligence through exhaustive research and analysis and this must be exercised independently before the department is in a position to provide a fact-based analysis of specific goods to the CBSA, for its consideration and possible enforcement. Research and analyses can take up to four to six months to complete.
• To our knowledge, the U.S. does not publish a list of companies importing goods suspected of being made with forced labour. However, the U.S. does publish a list of specific decisions (i.e. Withhold Release Orders) after thoroughly researching cases relating to foreign suppliers. The U.S. also publishes an annual report that lists goods produced with or sectors that use forced and child labour. The U.S. report does not list companies producing or importing these goods.
• At this time, the Government of Canada is not planning on publishing a list. In general, the Government does not make information about which companies are importing goods publicly available.

Supply Chain Legislation

• During the consultations, participants indicated a clear message: that labour exploitation through global supply chains is unacceptable and the Government should take further action to address it. There were differing views, however, on how to address it. Civil society organizations and labour organizations strongly supported comprehensive legislation, while some industry organizations and businesses suggested that Canada continue to study and learn from other countries to address the root cause of labour exploitation, harmonize to the extent possible with other countries’ legislation to minimize reporting requirements in different jurisdictions, and consider non-legislative measures. The Government has not released a What We’ve Heard report and the Labour Program has not received direction on next steps regarding whether the Government may wish to pursue such legislation.
• As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is significant pressure on governments and industry to have supply chains running at full capacity as soon as possible. Key stakeholders and civil society organizations in Canada and internationally have raised concerns that COVID-19 has exacerbated pre- existing inequalities and has increased the risk of violations of fundamental labour and human rights for the most vulnerable in supply chains around the world. Within Canada, stakeholders such as the Canadian Labour Congress, World Vision Canada and Unicef Canada, continue to call for additional measures to address labour and human rights abuses within supply chains as part of pandemic responses.
• Pre-pandemic, some governments adopted legislative or regulatory initiatives to curb the potential for such abuses. Governments that have introduced legislation addressing labour and human rights violations in global supply chains include France, Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. More recently, the European Union announced, as part of their COVID-19 recovery package, a proposal to introduce supply chain legislation in 2021.

Modern Slavery Bill

• Senate Bill S-216, An Act to enact the Modern Slavery Act and to amend the Customs Tariff was tabled on October 29, 2020 by Senator Miville-Dechêne (Independent Senators Group). A former Bill (S-211 under the same title) was first tabled on February 5, 2020. The Bill imposes an obligation on certain entities to report on the measures taken to prevent and reduce the risk that forced labour or child labour is used at any step in the production of goods in Canada or elsewhere by the entity or in the production of goods imported into Canada. The Bill also provides for an inspection regime and gives the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness the power to require an entity to provide certain information. Finally, the Bill also amends the Customs Tariff to allow for a prohibition on the importation of goods manufactured or produced, in whole or in part, by forced labour or child labour as those terms are defined in the Modern Slavery Act (this proposed measure has already effectively been implemented by the government). The Labour Program is working closely with Public Safety to monitor the Bill as it progresses through the Parliamentary process.

Uyghurs and forced labour

• Canada is gravely concerned with the human rights abuses in China affecting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, including the use of forced labour.
• Our government is committed to ensuring that Canadian businesses at home and abroad are not unknowingly involved in any supply chains involving forced labour.
• We remain steadfast in our commitment to increasing supply chain transparency, promoting responsible business conduct, and ensuring that Canadian companies are upholding Canadian values, wherever they operate.

Supplementary messages

• On January 12, the Government of Canada announced its adoption of a comprehensive approach to addressing human rights abuses in Xinjiang, including measures to address forced labour.
• For example, some of these commercial measures are:
  • The prohibition to import goods produced wholly or in part produced by forced labour;
  • A Xinjiang Integrity Declaration for Trade Commissioner Service clients;
  • A Business Advisory on doing business with Xinjiang-related entities; and
  • The undertaking of a study on forced labour and supply chain risks.
• Canada continues to monitor the situation and is working to raise awareness at home and abroad.
• Canada is gravely concerned with evidence and reports of human rights violations in the People’s Republic of China involving members of the Uyghur ethnic minority and other minorities within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang), including repressive surveillance, mass arbitrary detention, torture and mistreatment, forced labour and mass transfers of forced labourers from Xinjiang to provinces across China. These activities strongly run counter to China’s international human rights obligations.

Responsive: Has Canada blocked any shipments due to forced labour concerns related to Uyghurs?

At present there has been no shipments related to Uyghur forced labour that have been prohibited from entering Canada.

Responsive: Why were these measures announced if they cannot be enforced?

The first step in addressing forced labour is to acknowledge the issue and introduce relevant prohibitions. The Government has done this. Now that goods produced by forced labour are prohibited by law from entering into Canada, the next step is to document the operational evidence necessary to enforce the law.

This is what the Government is doing. CBSA is now working with ESDC-Labour to gather sufficient and defensible evidence so as to apply the tariff prohibition.

Supporting facts and figures

• In 2020, two-way merchandise trade totalled $101.6 billion, a 3.4% increase from 2019 total trade of $98.3 billion. Canada imports about three times as much as it exports to China. Top imports from China include machinery (laptops), electronics (cell phones), car and truck parts and furniture.
• To strengthen Canada’s commitment to responsible business conduct, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, Sheri Meyerhoffer, was appointed in April 2019.

Question period note - Date: Mar. 18, 2021

Classification: Department: IRCC

Background

Visa Application Centres

VACs provide administrative support and biometric collection services in the local language to applicants before, during and after their application is assessed by an IRCC visa officer

VACs do not represent the Government of Canada. They play no role in the decision-making process and are expressly forbidden to provide any visa- related advice to applicants

VACs are run by private companies and are governed by a formal contract with the Government of Canada

For a fee, VACs can:

• answer questions in local languages;
• transmit applications, supporting documents and passports to the IRCC office;
• track applications;
• return passports and decision documents to applicants; and
• collect biometrics (fingerprints and photograph).

For an additional fee, VACs offer other services, including making photocopies, assisted services for filling forms and self-service computers for those wishing to apply online. Value-added services may vary depending on the VAC locations.

Canadian advocacy on the consular cases of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor

• The release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor remains a top priority for the government of Canada.
• Since December 2018, the advocacy campaign for Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor’s release has included more than 1250 interactions with Chinese officials and other governments and key stakeholders.
• We are appreciative of our 23 likeminded partners whose embassies sent 36 diplomats to the trials of Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor in solidarity with these men, and to echo Canada’s message that these detentions are unacceptable.
• Canada continues to work with our allies to end the practice of arbitrary detention and uphold respect for the rule of law and the rights of citizens around the world.

Supplementary messages

• Canada has registered its concern regarding China’s failure to provide consular access to Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor immediately before their trials, as well as its failure to provide Canadian officials access to the trial proceedings.
• We continue to call upon the Chinese government to release Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor.
• Due to diplomatic confidentiality and provisions of the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed.

Update

On December 10, 2018, Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor were arbitrarily detained for allegedly endangering China’s national security. On June 19, 2020, Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor were formally charged with crimes relating to national security. After consular access was interrupted in January 2020, Canadian officials regained access to Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in October 2020. Canadian officials most recently held virtual consular visits to Mr. Kovrig on April 29, 2021, and Mr. Spavor on April 30, 2021. Canadian officials have requested to conduct next consular visits in May 2021.

The trials of Mr. Spavor and Mr. Kovrig took place on March 19 and March 22, 2021, respectively. Canadian officials sought consular access to both men prior to the hearings and requested to attend the trials. Both requests were denied. The verdict and sentencing in both cases remain pending.

An extensive demarche was done immediately prior to their trials to ask countries for support in echoing Canada’s concerns regarding the cases. A total of twenty-three embassies, including the EU, sent diplomats to the trials in a show of solidarity with these men, and to echo Canada’s message that these detentions are unacceptable. Additional countries also raised our concerns with the Chinese in private.

Canada is deeply troubled by the total lack of transparency surrounding these hearings and continues to work toward an immediate end to the arbitrary detention of these men. Canadian officials continue to seek ongoing and meaningful consular access to Mr. Spavor and Mr. Kovrig, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the China-Canada Consular Agreement.

Consular cases involving Canadian citizens abroad

• We are closely monitoring developments in this case.
• Canada is providing consular assistance to the individual and the family.
• Due to the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed.

Supplementary messages

Clemency – Canadians facing the death penalty abroad

• Canada opposes the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere.
• Canada abolished the death penalty, and we encourage the abolition of the death penalty internationally.
• Canada will undertake clemency intervention in all cases of Canadians facing the death penalty in foreign jurisdictions.
• In the interests of the individuals involved, the Government of Canada cannot comment or provide details on any specific case.

Consular assistance for Canadian children and families

• Canada provides consular assistance to Canadian children and families in situations of distress and vulnerability.

Impact of COVID-19 on human rights

• COVID-19 has undermined the respect for human rights in many countries and has had a disproportionate impact on specific groups already marginalized before the pandemic.
• Respect for human rights must be at the center of all efforts to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Canada's steadfast commitment to inclusion, respect for diversity, promotion of human rights and non-discrimination remain crucial to our international and domestic response to the pandemic.

Supplementary messages

• Canada is deeply concerned about discrimination and violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms that have occurred in some countries during the implementation of emergency measures.
• In the fight against COVID-19, Canada recognizes the need for trust, cooperation and multilateralism to protect the rights of the most vulnerable and ensure no one is left behind.
• Equitable, timely, and affordable access to testing, treatments, and effective vaccines will be critical for controlling and ending this pandemic.
• Canada continues to work closely with the COVAX Facility to ensure that vulnerable populations have timely access to efficacious COVID-19 vaccines. This includes populations who live in humanitarian contexts, and who are at risk of being left behind.

Impact of COVID-19 on democracy

• Emergency measures to fight COVID-19 must never be used to weaken democracy or human rights.
• Respect for human rights must be at the center of all efforts to contain and combat the spread of COVID-19.
• Governments cannot solve this alone: an inclusive democratic approach, adapted to the Digital Age, is required and includes contributions from civil society, the private sector, and individuals to better understand the impacts of the crisis and to assist in recovery.

Supplementary messages

• Canada remains committed to protecting and promoting democracy at home and abroad, through collaboration with like-minded partners, multilateral organizations, and international assistance.
• To confront the challenges of COVID-19, Democracy must be inclusive – giving voice to people who face social, economic, or digital exclusion.
• Since February 2020, Canada has committed more than $2.5 billion in international assistance in response to COVID-19.
• In May 2020, Canada announced two projects for human rights programming totalling $3 million which address misinformation and disinformation surrounding COVID-19.

International assistance – Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• COVID-19 has created unprecedented global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) – causing supply shortages, distribution challenges, and intense competition for limited inventory.
• We are working closely with domestic and international partners to improve access to PPE for all.
• We also recognize the imperative to support vulnerable partner countries to source and secure PPE, in a manner that does not compromise our domestic interests.

Supplementary messages

• Only by protecting each other can we protect ourselves.
• In summer 2020, Global Affairs Canada provided nearly 1.1 million items of personal protective equipment to partners in the ASEAN region and Africa. The department is in the process of providing a further 2.9 million N95 masks to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will distribute these to member nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• In considering PPE requests from international partners, Global Affairs Canada is coordinating closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to ensure a whole-of-government approach.
• Canada welcomed the establishment of the UN Supply Chain Task Force, co-chaired by WHO and WFP, to look at ways to improve the availability of essential supplies for COVID-19.

PPE and medical supplies global market support

• Global Affairs Canada continues to work with its international partners on maintaining strong global supply chains to ensure the continued flow of medical supplies across borders.
• The Trade Commissioner Service is supporting Canadian companies with global solutions for COVID-19, including access to international procurement opportunities.

Supplementary messages

• Canada has been consistent in standing with like-minded international partners to support global trade and investment and maintain open supply chains during this health crisis.
• Global Affairs Canada is working with partners across government and the private sector to resolve disruptions to global supply chains to ensure the flow of vital medical supplies, including PPE, testing kits, vaccines and vaccine supplies to those in need, both domestically as well as globally.
• The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) and its partners have been actively supporting Canadian companies that have the capacity to meet domestic and international demands of medical supplies throughout the pandemic.

Supporting facts and figures

• To date, there are 376 TCS clients with solutions related to COVID-19. Of these, 195 companies have confirmed their capacity and willingness to pursue internationalization.
• To date, 1,397 COVID-19 related services have been delivered by the TCS at regional offices and missions abroad to support Canadian organizations in their international activities.

Background

Assisting Canadian suppliers of COVID-19 solutions: To increase Canadian companies’ awareness of international opportunities, the TCS has developed a directory of Canadian companies that provide solutions to support the fight against COVID-19. The Directory is intended to be a tool for Trade Commissioners at post to match COVID-19-related opportunities with Canadian manufacturers that have the interest and capacity for internationalization.

Global supply chains: The pandemic has affected Canada’s ability to secure medical supplies and pharmaceutical inputs. While existing supply chains are not expected to be greatly transformed, the industry is working to build in more redundancy to ensure they are more flexible and resilient. Canada is bolstering its manufacturing capacity for urgently needed medical supplies and working with allies and industry to ensure international trade rules are respected and supply chains are not interrupted.

Canadian companies will continue to require inputs from international markets to build finished products and access to international markets for medical and pharmaceutical supplies to ensure long-term sustainability.

Backlogs caused by COVID-19 response: COVID-19 has put an enormous strain on existing notification bodies and certification agencies around the world. As such, Canadian manufacturers are experiencing delays in obtaining critical certifications that impact procurement and fulfillment of contracts. The TCS is working to help Canadian companies with these issues.

COVID-19 repatriation efforts

• Global Affairs Canada operated three distinct repatriation operations related to COVID-19: the Wuhan repatriation, the Princess Cruise Line repatriations, and the global repatriation operation.
• The global repatriation operation ran from March 21 through July 18, 2020. During this period, 62,580 Canadian citizens and permanent residents returned to Canada on 692 government supported flights originating in 109 countries.
• The Government of Canada incurred expenses of $62M ($61,879,384) for the global repatriation operation. The cost recovery for these flights is ongoing and the actual cost to the Canadian Government will be lower than $62M.
• The COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program provided short-term loans to Canadians and permanent residents to return to Canada. 4,809 loans were issued, totalling $20.01 million dollars.

Supporting facts and figures

• The Wuhan repatriation effort consisted of three flights operated on two separate days. In total 339 persons were evacuated on three flights. Two flights operated on February 8 with a final flight operating on February 11. The total cost of the Wuhan repatriations was $4.3M ($4,307,558).
• 129 individuals were repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on February 21 (Tokyo). 225 individuals were repatriated from the Grand Princess cruise ship on March 10 (Oakland). The total cost of the cruise ship repatriations was $1.7M ($1,667,274).

World Health Organization (WHO)

• Canada values the WHO’s leadership and coordination role in the COVID-19 response.
• Canada is closely following the independent and comprehensive review of the WHO-coordinated international health response to COVID-19 and the WHO-convened study on the origins of COVID-19.
• Scientific work must follow the facts. Canada supports a transparent and independent analysis of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, free from interference and undue influence.

Supplementary messages

• Canada remains strongly committed to constructive engagement in multilateral organizations, including the WHO.
• Canada continues to work with other countries to ensure that the WHO is a strong, accountable, inclusive and well-governed institution and to ensure that Member States uphold their obligations under the International Health Regulations to provide timely, accurate, and sufficiently detailed public health information.

Update

On March 30, 2021, Canada signed on to the U.S.-led joint statement in response to the Final Report from WHO-convened COVID-19 Origins Study. The statement reaffirms the importance of transparency, openness and collaborative scientific inquiry for investigating outbreaks of unknown origin such as SARS-CoV-2.

Supporting facts and figures

• Over the last ten years, Canada has contributed over CAD$800M to the WHO.

COVID-19 travel restrictions

• Canada has adopted a risk-based approach to manage our borders.
• In early 2021, border measures were further strengthened to decrease the risk of infection from non-essential travel and to improve tracking and control of variants of concern.
• We will continue to adjust the measures to balance economic and social recovery while prioritising public health considerations.

Supplementary messages

• Important to ensure that essential travel can continue in support of Canada’s economic and social recovery.
• This is not the time to travel for vacations or other non-essential reasons.

Supporting facts and figures

• As of May 17, 2021 Global Affairs Canada has granted 816 national interest quarantine exemptions; 808 were for business mobility and 8 for compassionate or transit reasons.
• In the same period Global Affairs Canada granted 681 national interest exemptions for entry from countries other than the United States. 

Background

A Global Travel Advisory recommending against all non-essential travel due to the current COVID-19 pandemic was issued on March 13, 2020 and remains in place for all destinations. It also recommends against all cruise ship travel outside of Canada.

As of March 18, 2020, the Government of Canada put in place border measures designed to keep Canadians safe and healthy and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. This is primarily achieved through three Orders in Council (OICs) outlining quarantine, testing and other requirements; prohibiting travel from the United States (U.S.); and prohibiting travel from all other countries. The OICs are amended and renewed regularly.

Under the Orders in Council requiring quarantine and prohibiting travel from countries other than the United States, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, of Public Safety and of Immigration can exempt travellers from quarantine requirements or entry prohibitions if in the national interest. There is no national interest authority for entry from the U.S.

At Global Affairs Canada exemptions to individual travellers for entry or from quarantine are normally issued at the Assistant Deputy Minister level. Exemptions from quarantine have been authorized in exceptional circumstances and require consultation with the Province or Territory of travel and with the Public Health Agency of Canada on conditions that the traveller must follow.

The Government of Canada continues to take a gradual and phased approach to reopening to international travel that takes into account the evolution of the domestic COVID-19 situation as well as a range of factors, including Provincial/Territorial considerations; processing capacity at the border; and public health system capacity to manage potential increases in cases. This work is led by Health Canada.

COVID-19 vaccines (incl. COVAX)

• Canada is committed to supporting equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
• Canada has committed over $325 million to help ensure COVAX can provide vaccines for high-risk populations in low- and middle-income countries.
• COVAX has now delivered tens of millions of COVID-19 vaccines to well over 100 countries.

Supplementary messages

• Canada has supported Gavi since day one to set up, garner support for, and operationalize COVAX.
• Canada has committed $940 million for the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator overall, to support equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
• Canada is committed to sharing any surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world and has provided a targeted investment to the COVAX Facility to enable dose sharing between countries.

Update

The COVID19 Vaccine Access (COVAX) Facility began to roll out its first vaccines less than 100 days after the first immunisation in a high-income country.

Supporting facts and figures

• Since February 2020, Canada has committed more than $2 billion in international assistance in response to COVID-19. This includes $940 million for the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and COVAX.
• Canada’s support to low- and lower-middle income countries via COVAX ($325M) includes an initial allocation of $30 million, an additional commitment of $220 million in September 2020 to procure vaccines for developing countries, and $75 million committed in December 2020 to facilitate delivery and distribution of COVAX vaccines.
• As part of this funding, Canada has provided Gavi up to $5 million to establish a mechanism to manage the global sharing of vaccines if and when there is excess supply.
• Since February 2020, Canada has committed more than $2 billion in international assistance in response to COVID-19 and has made an additional $1 billion available for IMF loans related to COVID-19.
• Budget 2021 committed additional funding to support the global response to COVID-19 ($375 million).

Cuba

• Canada and Cuba enjoy a strong relationship based on a long history of mutually beneficial collaboration in a range of sectors.
• Canada will continue to support inclusive governance in Cuba, as well as advocate for transparent, accountable, and responsive governance and respect for human rights.
• The health, safety, and security of diplomatic staff and families are the department`s top priority. We continue to investigate the causes of unusual health symptoms. A cause has not been identified.
• Canada stands ready to facilitate a more constructive U.S.-Cuba bilateral relationship.

Crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia

• As a longstanding partner of Ethiopia, Canada has maintained an open dialogue with the government and with key international and multilateral partners.
• Canada has called on parties to the conflict in Tigray for immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access, protection of all civilians and respect for international law.
• Canada has joined international partners in calling on Ethiopia to investigate and prosecute human rights violations and ensure the swift and verifiable withdrawal of Eritrean troops.
• Canada has also joined international partners in calling for an end to violence and the establishment of a clear inclusive political process and a national reconciliation process.

Supplementary message

• On March 24, Canada announced $34 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs of crisis-affected Ethiopians and refugees in Ethiopia. This funding allows partners flexibility to prioritize where needs are greatest, including in Tigray.

Feminist Foreign Policy

• Canada has made respect for human rights, gender equality, diversity and inclusion policy priorities at home and abroad.
• Canada’s feminist foreign policy approach reflects a belief that promoting rights-based, open and inclusive societies is an effective way to build a safer, more sustainable and prosperous world, which supports Canada’s own stability, security and economic interests.
• All people, regardless of their background or identities, should fully benefit from equal participation in economic, political, social and cultural life.

Supplementary messages

• The pandemic and its associated economic crisis have exacerbated existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.
• Despite important progress made in many countries, we are seeing unprecedented backlash against the advancement of gender equality, women’s rights, and LGBTIQ2I rights. Canada is working with others to provide reinvigorated leadership and coherent international action to combat and reverse efforts to undermine human rights and gender equality.
• Canada aims to foster transformational changes, notably to overcome systemic barriers and discriminatory norms, that prevent equality of action.

Update

Discussions have taken place with other countries that have avowed feminist foreign policies, including Sweden, France, Mexico, Spain and Luxembourg. Foreign Ministers of these countries met in February 2021 and committed to joint action.

Situation in Haiti

• Canada remains very concerned by the ongoing political, humanitarian and security situation in Haiti.
• Encourages the Haitian state to re-establish a climate conducive to the respect of human rights, both by non-state actors and by law enforcement agencies.
• Concerned with the erosion of the civic space in Haiti and pledges to continue to work with Haiti and the international community to support a more stable and secure, democratic and prosperous future.
• Encourages the Government of Haiti to work with all stakeholders to find long-lasting solutions and establish the conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections to ensure democratic renewal and a return to constitutional order.

Supplementary messages

• Thanks to Canada's strong involvement, a resolution was passed by consensus at the Organization of American States (OAS) on March 17 recommending that an OAS Good Offices Mission be sent to Haiti to facilitate a dialogue that would lead to free and fair elections. The Mission visited Haiti in early May and the process is still underway.
• While the Haitian president has been governing by decree for over a year, in the absence of a functioning parliament, it is important that all presidential decrees comply with international human rights standards and the principles of the rule of law.

Update

The UNSC released a strong presidential statement on March 24, urging the Haitian government to strengthen the rule of law in Haiti as well as to take steps to end impunity and intensify the fight against corruption. It noted with concern the alleged use of deadly force against protesters, as well as reported arbitrary arrests.

In the resolution, the UNSC underscored the need to address essential security, transparency, and logistical considerations to allow for free, fair, and credible elections to be held in 2021.

Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe, the fourth Prime Minister under the Moïse administration, resigned on April 14. He was replaced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Claude Joseph, on an interim basis.

Canada-India bilateral relations

• Canada stands united with our friend and partner in the face of a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are delivering immediate humanitarian assistance, including $10 million to support the Indian Red Cross via the Canadian Red Cross, ventilators and Remdesivir on two Canadian Air Force flights, and oxygen concentrators via UNICEF.
• Canada is committed to pursuing an ambitious agenda with India in areas such as trade and investment, climate change, and peace and security.
• We have a growing bilateral trade relationship, with two-way trade reaching $8.6 billion in 2020 and Canadian portfolio investments exceeding
• $61.5 billion, for a total commercial partnership now approaching $100 billion.

Supplementary messages

• Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada and India have worked collaboratively to address the challenges of the pandemic, including: repatriating our respective citizens; addressing global supply chain issues; vaccine procurement; and creating an environment for our respective economic recoveries.

Supporting facts and figures

• The Canada-India commercial partnership is estimated to be worth $60 billion and rising. While official two-way direct investment totalled $3.5 billion in 2019, Canadian portfolio investments in India are now estimated to exceed $45 billion.
• In education, India was the largest source of foreign students before the pandemic with 220,000 Indian students in Canada in 2019.
• Meanwhile, tourism numbers increased to 353,800 in 2019, an increase of almost 19% from 2018.
• India is also the number one source country for new permanent residents to Canada. In 2019, over 74,000 Indian citizens were able to call Canada “home”.

Update

India is experiencing a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections that is overwhelming the health care system. India has requested assistance in securing medical oxygen equipment, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals. On April 22, Canada issued a 30-day suspension for all commercial and private passenger flights from India to manage the elevated risk of importing COVID-19 cases and variants of concern. In response to India’s identified needs, on April 27, Minister Gould announced $10 million to the Indian Red Cross’ response via the Canadian Red Cross. Canada’s contribution will support the procurement of essential supplies and medicines, including oxygen cylinders, and supporting vital blood and ambulance services. Canada also donated and delivered 350 ventilators and 25,000 vials of Remdesivir from PHAC’s National Emergency Strategic Stockpile on two Canadian Air Force flights that arrived on May 8 and May 13. Finally, Canada is also financing the procurement and delivery of 1,450 oxygen concentrators for India through our contribution to UNICEF via the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.

Over the past year, Canada and India have held 14 calls between Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and Trade Ministers to advance the bilateral relationship, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, pandemic response, the rules-based international order, and climate change. During the Deputy Minister-level Foreign Office Consultations held on March 24, 2021, Canada and India mutually agreed to reinvigorate Ministerial Dialogues on Trade and Investment, Energy and Finance, as well as the Strategic Dialogue between Foreign Ministers. This new momentum comes after bilateral tensions in late 2020 when India postponed bilateral engagements in reaction to comments by Prime Minister Trudeau and Canadian cabinet ministers about the ongoing farmers’ protests in India.

Indo-Pacific approach

• Canada and its global partners face a new strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The region is becoming ever more consequential in geopolitical terms. It is a region critical for Canadian prosperity and for cooperation on global issues such as climate change.
• Our government intends to develop a new integrated Canadian approach to the Indo-Pacific; one that intensifies Canada`s engagement and deepens our regional partnerships.

Supplementary messages

• It is imperative that Canada articulates its own approach to the region; if we do not, other countries will define the choices for us.
• New strategic developments in the region are both a challenge and an opportunity: for Canada to better advance our interests, but also to help shape a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Indo-Pacific.
• Working towards ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’ is a top foreign policy priority for the United States and for many of our partners in the region and beyond.

Bill to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act

• Canada is proud to be a leader in the fight against chemical weapons.
• Seeking legislative amendments to the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act that resolve a discrepancy.
• The current version of the Implementation Act contains a copy of the original list of chemicals controlled under the Convention – which is now out-of-date. Amendments to the Act simply remove the old list.

Supplementary messages

• Amendments to the Convention were part of an unprecedented collective response taken by several allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States, to the brazen attacks in Salisbury, UK, in 2018.
• The amendments add a total of four new categories of chemicals to the Chemical Weapons Convention; these chemicals have only one use: to kill.
• We propose amending our domestic Implementation Act, to remove the old (and now out-of-date) list of controlled chemicals.
• Amending the Act will not impact how the Act applies to Canadians. It in no way changes Canada’s obligations or commitments under the CWC.

Update

Bill S-2 was passed by the Senate without any amendments on December 17, 2020. The Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on February 25, 2021.

Canada’s National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security

• Canada has more than doubled its investments in WPS programming, from $241 million in fiscal year 2016-17 to $679 million in 2019-20 and is leading catalytic initiatives globally.
• Since her appointment in June 2019, Ambassador for WPS Jacqueline O’Neill has engaged with stakeholders in Canada and abroad, and positioned her office to be a key resource for supporting the implementation of Canada's National Action Plan on WPS.

Supplementary messages

• To mark the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325, Canada announced new programming support for women peacebuilders, created a new WPS Awards program, and launched a global advocacy campaign through its diplomatic missions in support of women peacebuilders.

Update

All federal partners of Canada’s National Action Plan on WPS now have their own publicly available implementation plan.

The third annual report for Canada’s National Action Plan on WPS is scheduled to be tabled in the Spring of 2021, and it will outline progress made in implementing the Action Plan during fiscal year 2019-2020.

Canadian Centre for Peace, Order and Good Government

• In December 2019, the Prime Minister gave me [the Minister of Foreign Affairs] the mandate to “establish the Canadian Centre for Peace, Order and Good Government”.
• My department is developing options to fulfill this mandate commitment in light of the significant changes seen over the past year in the international landscape where democracy and human rights are concerned.
• Some initial informal consultations with stakeholders have taken place, with more engagement activities to come.

Supplementary messages

• Consideration is currently being given to how best to pursue this commitment in light of other priorities and pressures that have emerged in the COVID-19 context.
• I would welcome any views you may have on the establishment of the Centre, including thoughts on its proposed mandate, potential areas of focus, and governance.
• I intend to consult more formally with stakeholders as the process for establishing the proposed Centre unfolds.

Disinformation and the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM)

• Disinformation is a critical threat to the rules- based international order and democratic governance.
• Hostile state actors and their proxies leverage disinformation to reshape the international order and erode support for democracy and human rights.
• Canada continues to support international efforts to counter disinformation, especially through the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism This initiative was stood up at the 2018 Charlevoix Summit to identify and respond to foreign threats to democracy.

Supplementary messages

• State sponsored disinformation has become a challenge for democratic governments. This is especially true since the onset of the global pandemic, when hostile states and their proxies have leveraged COVID-19 related disinformation to advance their geopolitical goals.
• Canada has been at the forefront of international efforts to counter state sponsored disinformation, namely through our leadership of the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism.
• Since the start of the pandemic, the Rapid Response Mechanism has enabled extensive real-time information sharing on disinformation and served as a platform to discuss national approaches and coordinated responses.

Foreign state-backed interference and intimidation activities in Canada

• The threat from hostile activity by state actors (HASA) in all its forms represents a significant danger to Canada’s prosperity and sovereignty, and remains a priority for the Government of Canada.
• Allegations of such acts being carried out by foreign agents in Canada are taken very seriously.
• Security and intelligence partners collaborate to share information in an effort to detect and counter foreign interference, including state- sponsored disinformation.
• Canada cannot tackle HASA alone. Our international allies face similar threats and by working together, we bring our collective resources to counter threats from foreign actors.
• Chinese government representatives in Canada, like all foreign government representatives, have a duty under international law to respect our laws and regulations.

Supplementary messages

Responsive: How is Canada holding HASA actors accountable?

• When managing a calibrated response to HASA, Global Affairs Canada is frequently trying to simultaneously promote specific norms of state behaviour, manage bilateral relationship, as well as protect Canadians and Canadian interests.
• The Government of Canada has made several public statements noting Foxhunt operations are occurring in Canada. CSIS Director Vigneault most recently referenced Foxhunt publicly in February 2021.
• In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada publicly rebuked cyber actors targeting the health care sector (April 2020) and the specific attribution of Russian cyber exploitation of Canadian vaccine research organizations (July 2020).

Responsive: What measures does Canada have in place to secure its institutions from cyber-attacks or breaches of information?

• Our first priority is to defend our citizens, businesses and institutions from cyber- threats and ensure that they have all the information and guidance needed to enhance their resilience.
• Canada strongly condemns any malicious cyber activities, particularly irresponsible and destabilizing actions that put lives and critical infrastructure at risk. We call on all actors to ensure that cyberspace is open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful.
• Canada remains steadfast in its solidarity with allies and partners in promoting a framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. We also remain committed to working with partners to prevent, discourage and counter malicious cyber activity at home and around the world.

Promoting and Protecting Democracy Fund

• Democratic values, processes and institutions are increasingly under threat across the world, both by external and internal pressures.
• Measures to address the COVID-19 crisis can present significant risks to democracy, as do the ensuing political, economic, social, and humanitarian crises.
• The Promoting and Protecting Democracy Fund (Pro-Dem) helps Canada address these challenges by supporting democratic resilience and advancing democratic values in response to a growing number of demands.

Supplementary messages

• The advancement of democracy is a core component of Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy and the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).
• Pro-Dem helps to fill a critical gap in Canada’s engagement in international assistance by helping to meet or prevent emerging crises affecting democracies, in both ODA eligible and non-ODA eligible countries.
• The Fund supports electoral processes, media freedom, societal resilience to disinformation, civic engagement and inclusive institutions of government.
• Canada’s Pro-Dem Fund has provided $7.15 million in critical support to electoral processes in emerging democracies such as Ethiopia, Myanmar, Bolivia, Georgia and Ukraine (2019-2022).

Background

The world has experienced years of democratic backsliding. In many countries, popular support for democracy is in decline. Foreign interference campaigns have been compounded by the rise of populist, extremist, and authoritarian narratives. This has contributed to the erosion of citizen confidence in democracy, the exacerbation of social and political divisions and polarization, growing distrust of governments, and the discrediting of democratic institutions and the media.

Peacebuilding

• Canada supports UN reforms to increase focus on conflict prevention and peacebuilding over crisis response.
• To assist the system’s pivot to prevention, we are working with partners to secure sustainable, predictable financing.
• Canada is a leader on this issue, including as 2020 chair and current vice-chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, as well as being a top 10 donor of the UN Peacebuilding Fund.

Supplementary messages

• Investing in prevention reduces human suffering and is more cost effective: the World Bank and UN estimate it would save up to US$70 billion per year.
• I was honoured to co-chair the UN Peacebuilding Fund Replenishment Conference in January where US$439 million was capitalized for the Fund.
• Pandemic has reduced already-scarce resources and created a dire need for peacebuilders, particularly women peacebuilders, who Canada is supporting.
• In 2019-20, Canada contributed more than $165 million to support mediation, transitional justice and other peace and stabilization initiatives in over 30 countries.

Update

UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC):

• Canada completed its tenure as chair in February 2021 (Egypt is now chair). Canada is a member for two years (until January 2023), and vice-chair in 2021.

Canada as a peacebuilding donor, including UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF):

• In January 2021, you co-chaired the PBF replenishment conference with Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Germany, and UN Secretary-General (UNSG). US$246 million in new contributions and pledges were mobilized for the PBF’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, in addition to US$180 million previously raised (US$439 million total).
• Canada is the 6^th largest donor to PBF (about US$61 million total from 2006-2021).
• In 2019-2020, the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program contributed more than CA$165 million to support mediation, transitional justice and other peace and stabilization initiatives in over 30 countries (amount is total PSOPs funding level).

UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR):

• As PBC chair, Canada facilitated the informal phase of the review in 2020. The formal phase ended in December 2020 with resolutions at Security Council (UNSC) and General Assembly (UNGA).
• Most significant outcome, of which Canada was one of the main advocates, was a mandate for a high-level, action-oriented meeting on financing peacebuilding to be held between September 2021 and August 2022.
• Informal discussions are underway for this upcoming meeting on financing peacebuilding. Canada is seeking to build cross-regional support for the use of UN assessed contributions as part of the solution for predictable, sustained financing.

UN peace operations

• Canada is a long-standing contributor to UN peace operations through highly qualified personnel deployments, flagship initiatives supporting UN peacekeeping reform and substantial funding.
• The COVID pandemic has exacerbated challenges for international efforts to prevent and address conflict and insecurity.
• Canada’s support for peace operations, conflict prevention and peacebuilding is crucial to a more peaceful post-COVID world.

Supplementary messages

• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in conflict contexts and for global efforts to restore peace and security. The pandemic affects all countries in which UN peace operations are active.
• Canada is one of the largest bilateral donors to UN peace operations, and to the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
• Through the Elsie Initiative, Canada is successfully working with the UN and Member States to increase uniformed women’s meaningful participation in peace operations.
• Through the Vancouver Principles, Canada and 100 other UN Member States are working to prevent the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
• Canadian military and police personnel deployed to peace operations are highly valued for their skills, expertise and professionalism.
• Canada’s air assets and crews continue to provide critical transportation support to UN peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

Iran-U.S. regional tensions

• Iran continues to solidify its relationships with a wide constellation of militias and terrorist organizations throughout the Middle East to challenge the U.S., its regional rivals and the broader Western presence in the region.
• Tensions between Iran and the U.S. could escalate either through deliberate action or through miscalculation.
• Canada is committed to holding Iran accountable for its destabilizing regional activities through targeted sanctions and diplomatic means.

Supplementary messages

• Canada continues to actively work with the International Coordination and Response Group to hold Iran accountable for the downing of PS752. Canada will find some measure of justice by ensuring that Iran makes full reparations for harm caused to the victims, their grieving families and the affected states.

Update

U.S.-Iran tensions remain heightened. Repeated attacks against the U.S. by Iran- backed Shia militias in Iraq have continued and have led to the U.S. threatening to close its embassy in Baghdad. While President Biden is not continuing with the Trump Administration’s policy of “maximum pressure” against Iran, sanctions are being maintained pending possible negotiations with Iran related to the Iran nuclear deal.

Iran – Human rights

• Canada is deeply concerned by the situation of human rights in Iran.
• Canada is a global leader in holding Iran to account for its human rights violations; we have led international efforts on the resolution on the Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran at the UN General Assembly this year and each year since 2003.
• Canada works with likeminded countries and human rights groups, including Iranian religious and ethnic minorities, to press Iran to improve its human rights record.

Supplementary messages

• The situation of human rights in Iran remains of serious concern, including extensive use of the death penalty, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression, women's rights, and the rights of ethnic and religious minorities.
• The UN Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran is a valuable tool to hold Iran to account and encourages Iran to improve its human rights record.
• Canada further works to hold Iran to account for its human rights record by making recommendations in each of Iran’s Universal Periodic Reviews, including in its latest review in November 2019.

Update

Canada routinely speaks out on specific human rights cases in Iran. These efforts help to hold Iran accountable by drawing international attention to the issues and indicating that Canada and the global community are monitoring the cases.

In January 2021, @CanadaFP issued a Tweet highlighting our concern over the regime’s land seizures of the Baha’i in Ivel and urging Iranian authorities to eliminate all forms of discrimination on the basis of religion or belief.

Iran and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

• Canada seeks to preserve the JCPOA. When fully implemented, it is the best way to restrict Iran’s ability to attain a nuclear weapon, essential for regional and global security.
• While not perfect, the JCPOA commits Iran to comprehensive monitoring and verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); this is critical in maintaining oversight of Iran’s nuclear activities.
• Canada has urged Iran to reverse its decisions on suspending the Additional Protocol, on enrichment, on producing uranium metal, and to return to full compliance with the JCPOA.

Supplementary messages

• Canada has serious concerns about Iran’s arms proliferation, and maintains robust sanctions and tight controls on exports of goods and technologies that could assist the development of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Update

In December 2020, Iran passed a law requiring it to take actions that are violations under the JCPOA. This was part of a strategy to gain advantage in any upcoming negotiations with the United States and to lift sanctions imposed by the United States. Since January 2021, Iran started enriching uranium up to 20%, significantly increased its online centrifuges, and suspended the Additional Protocol (which limits the IAEA’s ability to verify Iran’s nuclear program). Since April 2021, in response to suspected sabotage at its Natanz nuclear facility, Iran started increasing enrichment up to 60%.

Since April 2021, there have been expert-level discussions in Vienna based on parallel talks with diplomats of Iran and the United States, facilitated by the other members of the JCPOA (France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia and China). These discussions were convened to establish the steps that Iran would take to return to compliance and for the United States to implement sanctions relief. While it will be challenging to reach a renewed agreement, all parties, including Iran and the United States, recognize progress in the discussions.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada is a leading contributor to the IAEA’s monitoring in Iran, having contributed $17 million since 2014, including $2 million in 2021.

Background

Iran and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) plus Germany reached a historic nuclear deal on July 14, 2015. Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program and to permit enhanced IAEA monitoring and verification in exchange for relief from sanctions.

The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and applied sanctions on Iran, citing flaws in the agreement, and that it did not address Iran’s ballistic missile program and destabilizing regional activity. In response, since June 2019, Iran has increased its uranium enrichment and stockpile levels of uranium and heavy water, violations under the JCPOA. Iran has since made further violations under the deal.

Should Iran return to compliance under the JCPOA, President Biden has indicated interest in rejoining the agreement as a starting point for further negotiations with Iran (detained Americans, human rights, ballistic missiles and regional tensions).

Flight PS752

• Families of the victims are at the heart of the Government of Canada’s response to flight PS752.
• As the forensic team’s report makes clear, Iranian civilian and military authorities bear responsibility for the tragic downing of flight PS752, including the deaths of 176 innocent people.
• Iran owes answers to the families, to Canada and to the world.
• Canada will vigorously pursue the transparency, accountability and justice the families deserve, including by ensuring that Iran makes full reparations for the harm caused to the families and loved ones of the victims of flight PS752.

Supplementary messages

• Canada and the Coordination Group countries have endorsed our Common Negotiating Position and signed the Notice of Claim. Our position is clear – Iran’s actions and omissions amount to breaches of its obligations under international law. Iran must fulfill its legal responsibility to make full reparations for the harm caused.
• The Minister of Transport, myself and Global Affairs Canada’s PS752 Task Force have been in regular communication with the families of the victims and will continue to do so for as long as it will be necessary.

Background

In March 2021, Iran released its final accident investigation report. Iran’s report had serious shortcomings, including that it failed to report on all relevant causes and contributing factors; it did not provide concrete safety recommendations to prevent such occurrences in the future; and most findings were not substantiated with relevant, credible information and evidence. The publication was clearly designed as a strategic document to deflect attention away from Iran and the IRGC, and onto Ukraine International Airlines, Ukraine itself, and the United States. Canada has communicated our disappointment with the report in our statement at ICAO on March 19, 2021 and we have voiced our concerns with the report to our partners and allies. Options are currently being discussed for how to respond at ICAO.

In late April 2021, Canada released its forensic team report, which put into the public domain unclassified information that Canada has assessed, provided a rebuttal of the credibility of Iran’s final safety report, and put on the public record what questions remain outstanding that Iran must answer. The report confirmed that Iranian civilian and military authorities, through their acts and omissions, bear responsibility for the downing of flight PS752. The forensic team did not find any credible evidence to suggest that the downing was a premeditated plan to destroy a civilian aircraft.

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Israel – Bilateral overview

• Canada is a steadfast ally and friend of Israel, a relationship which is based on shared values, common interests and strong political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.
• Our two countries enjoy strong cooperation in numerous areas including on regional security, combatting antisemitism, multilateral issues, and science, technology, and innovation.

Supplementary messages

• Canada’s longstanding position is to support a two-state solution to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.
• This means the creation of a viable, independent and democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.
• Canada believes that a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution negotiated directly between the parties.

Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)

• Canada is concerned by efforts, such as BDS, to single out Israel for criticism and isolate Israel internationally.
• Parliament clearly expressed its concerns regarding the BDS movement when the House of Commons voted in large majority, on February 18, 2016, in favour of a motion rejecting the movement.
• The imposition of restrictions and sanctions in this context exacerbates tensions and does nothing to improve the quality of life for Palestinian citizens.

Supplementary messages

• The Prime Minister expressed Canada's concerns when he condemned the BDS movement and antisemitism during the April 2019 state visit by the President of Israel, and at the May 7, 2019, National Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa.

Supporting facts and figures

• On February 22, 2016, a House of Commons motion condemning the BDS movement passed by 229 to 51 votes.
• Canada adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism in June 2019.
• The former Governor General travelled to Jerusalem and Poland in January 2020 for commemorations of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Background

The BDS movement is a campaign founded in 2005 by Palestinian NGOs. The BDS movement "urges nonviolent pressure on Israel until it complies with international law by meeting three demands”: (i) Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the barrier between the West Bank and Israel; (ii) Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and (iii) Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194. Much of the movement is focused on university campuses in Europe and North America and includes academic and cultural boycotts.

Critics of the campaign argue that the BDS movement is antisemitic and promotes the de-legitimization of Israel. There are also more targeted calls for boycotts of products produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank or the Palestinian boycott of Israeli goods sold in the West Bank.

On February 12, 2020, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published a list of 112 companies operating in Israeli settlements (no Canadian companies were listed). Canada has previously expressed concerns to the High Commissioner.

On April 21, 2021, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report which surveyed Israeli government practices and policies directed towards Palestinians on the one hand and Jewish Israelis on the other. The report concluded that the Israeli government has demonstrated an intent to maintain the “domination” of Israelis and systemic oppression over Palestinians across Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. The report provided numerous recommendations to be taken by the international community, including that “businesses should cease activities that directly contribute to the commission of the crimes of apartheid and persecution.”

International Criminal court investigation into the “Situation in Palestine”

• Canada is following the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor’s investigation of the situation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
• Canada strongly supports the ICC and the important work that it does as a key pillar of the rules-based international order. Canada continues to respect the independence of its judges and of the ICC Prosecutor.
• Canada's longstanding position is that it does not recognize a Palestinian state and therefore does not recognize the accession of such a state to international treaties, including the Rome Statute.
• Canada has communicated this position to the Court on multiple occasions and has consistently opposed Palestinian participation in the ICC as a “State Party”.

Supplementary messages

• In 2015 and 2018, Canada submitted our position regarding the purported Palestinian accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• On February 14, 2020, Canada submitted a letter reiterating that position to the ICC. The ICC Prosecutor referred to Canada’s longstanding position on Palestinian statehood in her submission to the Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) of the ICC.
• As a friend and ally of Israel and a friend of the Palestinian people, Canada is firmly committed to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel. The creation of a Palestinian state can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties.

Israeli settlements

• Canada does not recognize permanent Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967, including the West Bank.
• We agree with the UN Security Council that these settlements are a serious obstacle to achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
• Canada's longstanding stated position remains unchanged: Canada considers Israeli settlements to be a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Supplementary messages

• Canada remains committed to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.
• As a close friend and ally of Israel, we are very concerned by the impact of ongoing settlement activity, evictions and demolitions, on a two-state solution.

Update

On 3 May 2021 a Jerusalem local planning committee approved a plan to construct 540 housing units in Har Homa ‘E’. Landowners in the area are eligible to obtain permits for construction once an access road and sewage infrastructure has been built by the municipality. Har Homa ‘E’, is a largely uninhabited site (one Palestinian family lives in the area) located West of the settlement of Har Homa, located between the Palestinian city of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. This new settlement would be effectively contiguous with Givat Hamatos, another unsettled location where a tender for the construction of 1,257 housing units was completed in January 2021. Along with Givat Hamatos, Har Homa ‘E’ would complete Israeli territorial contiguity along the southern perimeter of Jerusalem and constrict physical contiguity between Bethlehem and East Jerusalem, placing the viability of a future Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem at risk. Following a local planning committee meeting on Har Homa ‘E’ on 20 April, diplomats from 15 EU countries conducted a demarche to the Israeli National Security Council, calling for a halt to the plan. On 27 April Canada’s mission in Tel Aviv raised the issue of Har Homa E along with other issues in a demarche to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Background

Settlement activity in East Jerusalem and the West Bank has continued under all Israeli governments since 1967. As of 2020 there were 132 Israeli settlements in the West Bank with an estimated population of nearly 442,000. In East Jerusalem, which has been annexed into the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem, around 205,000 settlers live in 13 settlements, some located within primarily Arab neighbourhoods. There are also around 135 smaller, unauthorized outposts in the West Bank that are considered illegal under Israeli law. The overall population growth rate in Israeli settlements in 2019 was 3%, representing around 12-15,000 new settlers per year. According to the Oslo Accords, the future of settlements is one of the final status issues (others include Jerusalem, borders, water, refugees, and security) to be negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians as part of a comprehensive agreement.

Canada’s positions on settlements are in line with the broad international consensus. Among other issues, you raised this issue on your February 9, 2021 call with Israel’s Foreign Minister. In 2017, Minister Freeland issued a statement on Israel’s “Regulation Law,” which sought to retroactively legalize settlers’ outposts. The law was struck down by Israel’s Supreme Court in June 2020.

Jerusalem

• Canada's longstanding position is that the status of Jerusalem can be resolved only as part of a general settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
• We continue to support the building of conditions necessary for the parties to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
• Canada does not recognize Israel’s unilateral annexation of East Jerusalem.

Supplementary messages

• Canada opposes unilateral actions that undermine prospects for peace.
• We are concerned by ongoing demolitions, evictions, and settlement activity near Jerusalem in Giv’at Hamatos, Har Homa, Silwan, and the E1 area.
• As the Prime Minister has clearly stated, Canada will not be moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Update

Tensions boiled over in the Old City at the Haram al-Sharif compound (Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa Mosque compound) on May 7 and again on May 10 and Israeli police clashed with Palestinian worshipers inside and around the mosque, resulting in close to 300 injuries leading to over 150 hospitalizations. [PLACEHOLDER FOR POTENTIAL Update] The past few days have seen a significant reduction in violence in Jerusalem as the focus of hostilities has shifted to Gaza and to other cities in Israel.

Supporting facts and figures

• The future status of Jerusalem, including the Old City, is one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Jerusalem is highly significant to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.
• Israel considers Jerusalem to be its “eternal, undivided capital.” Many Israeli institutions, including its Supreme Court and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are located in West Jerusalem. Israel’s National Police HQ and Justice Ministry HQ are located in East Jerusalem.
• Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as their future capital.
• According to the NGO Peace Now, there are approximately 350,000 Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, and 560,000 Jewish Israelis living in East and West Jerusalem.

Background

During Israel’s recent election campaigns, PM Netanyahu has pledged to continue with the expansion of several settlement projects in and around Jerusalem, which would further diminish the Palestinian presence in, and connection to, Jerusalem. Several states have issued public statements criticizing the Israeli plans, and Canada has raised its concerns directly with Israeli officials, including at the ministerial level and publicly.

As the international consensus on Jerusalem (i.e., that its status must be negotiated directly between Israel and the Palestinians) begins to weaken, Israel is continuing the expansion of settlements, raising tensions between the city’s Jewish and Arab residents. In April 2021, Israel placed restrictions on Muslim worshippers’ ability to congregate at the Old City’s Damascus Gate, which contributed to widespread violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Though Israel ultimately reversed the decision in a bid to restore calm, the episode highlights the underlying tensions in this contested city.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

• Appalled by the ongoing violence, rising tensions, and loss of life, including children.
• Canada urges all parties to take immediate steps to end the violence, de-escalate tensions, protect civilians, and uphold international law.
• The indiscriminate barrage of rocket attacks fired by Hamas into populated areas of Israel is absolutely unacceptable and must cease immediately.
• Canada supports Israel's right to live in peace with its neighbours and recognizes Israel's right to assure its own security and protect its citizens.

Supplementary messages

• Canada is deeply disturbed by the unacceptable violence in Jerusalem, including in Haram al-Sharif /Temple Mount. It is crucial to respect the sanctity and safety of holy sites.
• We remain gravely concerned by the continued expansion of settlements, and by evictions and demolitions, including the ongoing cases in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan.
• Canada remains strongly committed to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side-by-side, in peace and security, with Israel.

Background

Tensions exploded between Israelis and Palestinians in mid-May, with clashes breaking out in Jerusalem and in particular the Haram al-Sharif /Temple Mount compound. Inter-communal violence has occurred in several cities alongside exchanges of fire between Israel on the one hand, and Hamas and other armed terrorist groups on the other, in what is considered the worst flare-up since the 2014 Gaza war. Gaza-based militants have fired over 2000 rockets at Israel, reportedly killing 9 Israelis and injuring over 200. At least 120 Palestinians (including 17 minors) have reportedly been killed, along with 600 wounded as a result of Israeli Defense Force counterstrikes targeting Hamas and other groups in Gaza. Hostilities are expected to continue into the coming week.

Prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have diminished significantly over the past several years, with no negotiations taking place since 2014. Canada is committed to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel. Canada continues to reject unilateral actions on either side that constitute obstacles to peace, including incitement to violence, Palestinian efforts aimed at international recognition of their statehood through accessions as the ‘State of Palestine’, and Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Canada unequivocally condemns all acts of violence and terrorism.

Libya

• Welcome the formation of Libya’s Government of National Unity – a critical step towards lasting stability and prosperity.
• Every effort should be made to fully implement the Libyan ceasefire agreement and to hold free and fair national elections in December 2021.
• Support ongoing efforts by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to advance political reconciliation in Libya.

Supplementary messages

• Since 2011, Canada has contributed $47 million towards stabilization and support for Libya, including $26 million in humanitarian assistance.
• Canada is following the situation in Libya closely, and will continue to assess how best to support humanitarian and other needs.

Mali

• Canada is closely monitoring Mali’s transition to democracy following the August 2020 coup d’état.
• Canada has suspended all direct bilateral funding to the Government of Mali. However, our support for development, peace, security and humanitarian efforts continue through NGOs and multilateral partners.
• Canada is committed to reducing poverty and vulnerability, improving governance, and promoting security and stability in Mali.

Supplementary messages

• On March 19, 2021, I participated in the second meeting of foreign ministers of the Sahel Coalition. I reiterated the importance of Canada`s commitment to Mali and the Sahel, as well as Canada’s intention to continue to contribute to international coordination efforts in the region.

Mexico trade challenges

• Canada is concerned with the challenges Canadian investors are facing in Mexico, particularly in the mining and energy sectors.
• Canada continues to closely monitor these issues and is engaging officials at all levels of the Mexican government to discuss the current business climate.
• Canada supports dialogue, in good faith, towards mutually agreeable resolutions to current challenges.

Supplementary messages

Energy Sector

• Canada is concerned with recent changes to Mexico’s Energy Policy, particularly the US$4 billion of investments by Canadian companies in renewable energy.
• We are looking into whether aspects of the proposed energy policy changes are inconsistent with Mexico’s international trade agreement obligations.
• Challenges in obtaining permits have led to delays and uncertainty for Canadian companies operating in the renewable energy sector, as well as in the development of pipelines.

Mining Sector

• Canada is the largest foreign investor in Mexico’s mining industry, representing 60-70% of foreign mining companies operating in the country.
• Canadian companies are faced with challenges such as illegal blockades, security and taxation, as well as obtaining permits.

Middle East Strategy extension

• Canada is helping to make a real difference in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, committing over $4 billion since 2016.
• In line with our feminist policies, we are achieving strong results to help set the conditions for a secure, inclusive, gender-equitable and stable future.
• Budget 2021 provides $527 million in 2021-22 to extend Canada’s Middle East Strategy for another year.

Supplementary messages

• Since 2016, with our partners, we have helped to liberate millions of people from Daesh and have built credibility as a reliable partner and ally, increasing our ability to advocate for Canadian interests and values.
• Results achieved with Canadian support include:
  • Over 20 million square meters of land cleared of explosive hazards in Iraq and Syria;
  • More than 12,000 Iraqi police officers trained by deployed Canadian police officers;
  • 9,000 community members in Jordan reached through women-led community initiatives to raise awareness on violent extremism.

Update

Budget 2021 provides $527 million in 2021-22 to GAC, DND, CSE, and CSIS to extend Canada’s Middle East Strategy for another year. This will allow departments to continue providing development, humanitarian and security assistance and military support, and to advance peace and stability in the region. For GAC this represents $77.9 million in new funding, and $213 million in existing resources (grants and contributions).

Political situation in Myanmar

• Since the outset of the military coup, Canada has been engaged in robust coordination with international partners to ensure a strong, clear and unified condemnation of Myanmar’s military (Tatmadaw) actions.
• Canada has adopted a series of response measures, including targeted sanctions against the military leadership and a review of international assistance to Myanmar, while taking steps to ensure that no Canadian international assistance funding benefits the Government of Myanmar.
• Canada remains as committed as ever to development, peace, accountability for human rights violations and the restoration of democracy in Myanmar.

Supplementary messages

• Canada condemned the coup and violent crackdowns by the military through several Ministerial and Embassy-level statements, and endorsed several statements at the G7, UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council, and World Trade Organization.
• Canada is pursuing, in concert with our international partners, a range of additional measures including efforts to cut off arms flows to, and target the revenues of, the military regime.
• We are also examining with likeminded countries, different options to hold the military accountable for crimes perpetrated since February 1, 2021. We will continue to monitor the situation, and consider further action, as the situation evolves.
• We remain committed to continuing to support poverty alleviation among persons in vulnerable situations and conflict-affected populations through civil society organizations and have called for unhindered humanitarian access.

Supporting facts and figures

• Since 2007, Canada has maintained sanctions on Myanmar under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, including an arms embargo, and dealings ban on listed persons, including individuals and entities.
• In February 2021, Canada imposed additional sanctions on nine high-ranking Myanmar military officials and is coordinating with likeminded countries on potential further measures.

Rohingya crisis

• Committed to continuing its multi-faceted response to the Rohingya crisis, considering that the military coup will likely lead to a further deterioration of conditions for vulnerable groups in Myanmar, including the Rohingya.
• Canada will allocate $288 million over three years to continue to support the Rohingya and other vulnerable and conflict-affected populations in Myanmar, as well as refugee populations and their host communities in Bangladesh.
• Committed to promoting justice and accountability for the crimes committed, and our planned intervention with the Netherlands in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Myanmar is a key component of our efforts.

Supplementary messages

• COVID-19 has exacerbated the needs of persons in the most vulnerable situations from all communities in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Canada is working closely with partners in both countries to adapt to current needs.
• The military coup in Myanmar has severely impacted the public health system, caused an increase in the price of staples, and ultimately caused a further deterioration in conditions for vulnerable groups.
• The coup has also further set back prospects for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingya in the near term, underlining the need for ongoing assistance to refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.

Update

On March 22, a deadly fire in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar destroyed approximately 10,000 shelters, leaving 45,000 Rohingya homeless. Canada’s mission is coordinating with international partners and UN agencies to respond.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada has spent the majority of the $300 million dedicated towards "Canada's Strategy to Respond to the Rohingya Crisis" (2018-2021), which included humanitarian assistance ($124 million), development assistance in Myanmar ($73 million) and Bangladesh ($82 million), as well as peace and stabilization programming.
• Due to pressures related to COVID-19 and the Myanmar military coup, only $11.7 million of the intended $21 million in peace and stabilization programming was disbursed.
• Canada will allocate $288 million over three years to continue our efforts to respond to the crisis and the situation in Myanmar.

Background

Repatriation of Rohingya remains unlikely in the short or medium term due to the military coup in Myanmar. The needs remain significant in Bangladesh, as COVID-19 has further strained Bangladesh’s capacity and patience with the protracted crisis. The Government of Bangladesh has relocated over 14,000 Rohingya from Cox’s Bazar refugee camps to Bhasan Char island.

Nagorno-Karabakh

• Canada welcomes the end of fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
• We reiterate that a political solution is necessary to ensure a sustainable peace in the region, which is vital to avoiding a resumption of violence.
• Canada continues to support the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group and stands ready to contribute to its ongoing work.

Supplementary messages

• Armenia and Azerbaijan, and all external parties, must work together to build mutual confidence at this very sensitive time. One such measure would be the release of all prisoners of war and detainees.

Responsive: Canadian Arm Exports to Turkey:

• As you know, the review of export permits to Turkey is complete and published. The review found that Turkish UAVs equipped with Wescam sensors were likely used in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• As a result, the Government has taken the decision to cancel the suspended permits.
• Canada will continue to carefully scrutinize all export permits and export permit applications for the export of controlled goods and technology, including to Turkey, to ensure that they are consistent with our legal obligations and the protection of human rights and international humanitarian laws.

Update

On January 11, 2021, Russia convened meetings at political and officials level which facilitated communications between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and set up expert subgroups on issues such as railways, roads, combined transport communications, security, customs, and other types of control. Armenia has now called early elections for June 2021 as a result of the political crisis triggered by the defeat. On April 12, you publicly announced the results of the review of export permits to Turkey and cancelled all suspended permits.

NATO

• NATO is vital for Canada’s security, and is a cornerstone of our defence and security policy.
• The Alliance is central to Euro-Atlantic defence, international stability and the rules-based international order.
• Our contributions to NATO demonstrate Canada’s unwavering commitment to the Alliance, and strengthen Allied capacity to respond to the complex security challenges of today and tomorrow.

Supplementary messages

• We are unwavering in our support for the Alliance.
• Canada recognizes NATO as the premier forum for transatlantic security consultations and cooperation.
• Our contributions to NATO will serve to fulfill our commitment to increase Canada’s contribution to the NATO Readiness Initiative.
• This year’s Summit and the NATO 2030 process present an opportunity for Canada to advance its vision of transatlantic renewal within NATO.

Supporting facts and figures

• In 2019, Canada committed to increase its contribution to the NATO Readiness Initiative (NRI), an agreement to enhance the pool of high-readiness forces and capabilities available for collective defence and crisis response. Budget 2021 proposes to provide $541.2M over five years, starting in 2021-22, to DND to maintain an additional six fighter aircraft and a frigate as part of NRI.
• Budget 2021 also proposes to provide up to $305.9M over five years, starting in 2020-21, to DND to cover Canadian contributions to NATO’s common budget and military activities. Canada is currently the sixth highest financial contributor to the NATO common budget, at roughly $180M in annual contributions.
• Canada has contributed to every major NATO military operation since 1949 (with the exception of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, but where we are a major financial contributor to training and capacity building of the Afghan National Security Forces).
• Canada is deploying close to 1,200 troops along NATO’s Eastern Flank (from the Baltic to the Black Sea).
• Canada continues to contribute troops to NATO Mission Iraq; we led the mission from 2018-20 and transferred command to Denmark last November.
• Canada is a leader on the issue of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) at NATO, and is the leading financial contributor to the NATO WPS Office.
• NATO is currently undergoing a forward-looking reflection process (“NATO 2030”), premised on its strength. The Secretary General will provide his NATO 2030 recommendations – consulted with Allied foreign and defence ministers – to Allied leaders at their June 14 Summit.

Nicaragua

• Canada remains extremely concerned about the situation in Nicaragua, which began with the government’s violent crackdown on protestors in April 2018.
• The government of Nicaragua continues to violate human rights and has recently passed laws further restricting freedom of expression, freedom of the media and political participation of the opposition.
• Canada has been very engaged, including at the Organization of American States (OAS) where we are working with our partners to encourage Nicaragua to implement real electoral reforms before the November 2021 elections.

Supplementary messages

• We are working with our partners to increase pressure on the Government of Nicaragua to meet the electoral reform conditions set out by the OAS, while also working at grassroots level to support organizations promoting free, fair and transparent elections and freedom of expression.

North Korea (nuclear focus)

• Canada remains committed to the goal of complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of all of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes and will continue to implement all relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
• Canada calls on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to refrain from provocative actions and engage in diplomatic efforts.
• We encourage and stand ready to support the United States in its continued diplomatic efforts towards the denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and a reduction in the risk of conflict.

Supplementary messages

• Canada will continue to work closely with our partners and allies to ensure full implementation of UN Security Council sanctions and to counter North Korea’s sanctions evasion efforts.
• Canada calls on all states to fully implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Update

The Biden administration is in the last stages of reviewing its policy on North Korea. Officials have stated that the complete denuclearization of North Korea remains the goal. The Biden administration confirmed in February that North Korea has yet to respond to overtures to resume diplomatic talks.

Supporting facts and figures

• Contrary to UNSC resolutions, North Korean efforts to enhance the size and effectiveness of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities continue despite extensive international efforts to counter these actions (including by isolating the regime, constraining its economy, and countering its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation).
• The UN Security Council has condemned North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programmes as a clear threat to international peace and security and has imposed strict sanctions on North Korea. Canada also maintains autonomous sanctions against North Korea under the Special Economic Measures Act.
• Canada contributes to multilateral efforts to counter maritime smuggling in the region via the rotational deployments of military ships, aircraft, and personnel as part of Operation NEON. In addition, Canada has contributed over $19 million since 2018 to strengthen the implementation of UNSC sanctions on North Korea, including $2 million to help strengthen the International Atomic Energy Agency’s verification capacities.
• Canada’s allies and close partners share our position on North Korea, including that international pressure through UNSC sanctions remain in parallel with dialogue and diplomacy, until North Korea completely, verifiably, and irreversibly abandons its WMD and ballistic missile programs.

Background

North Korea is believed to possess up to 65 nuclear weapons, with a variety of viable delivery systems, and is likely capable of adding several weapons per year to its arsenal. It continues to produce highly enriched uranium and fissile material.

North Korea announced its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003, after the US revealed that Pyongyang had a secret nuclear weapons program. Since 1994, successive US administrations have conducted negotiations with North Korea to end the regime’s nuclear program. Despite reaching agreements, North Korea has invariably resumed efforts to build its nuclear and missile capacity.

Tensions between the US and North Korea had been high during the early part of the Trump administration and have generally been lower since Trump and Kim Jong Un met 3 times between 2018 and 2019.

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

• Canada is strongly committed to continuing its leadership to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.
• While Canada does not intend to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, we certainly understand that the Treaty reflects a legitimate frustration with the pace of nuclear disarmament.
• Rest assured that nuclear disarmament remains our goal, and we are taking meaningful and inclusive steps to achieve it. That means doing the hard work to deliver tangible results.

Supplementary messages

• Canada’s nuclear policy is rooted in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. We are committed to strengthening the NPT.
• Canada is also focusing its efforts on initiatives such as ending production of missile materials for nuclear weapons, banning nuclear testing, and building nuclear disarmament verification capabilities. These initiatives will yield concrete results in non-proliferation and disarmament.

Background

The perceived lack of progress on nuclear disarmament led several states to negotiate, at the United Nations, a Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW, also known as the 'Ban Treaty'). None of the nuclear weapons states, nor any of the NATO allies, took part in the negotiations (except the Netherlands, which participated under a parliamentary mandate). Likewise, none of these states have signed or ratified the Treaty. The Ban Treaty opened for signature in September 2017 and entered into force in January 2021.

As of April 2021, the TPNW has been signed by 86 countries, of which 54 have ratified. The Treaty prohibits participation in any nuclear weapon activities, including developing, testing, producing, acquiring, possessing, stockpiling, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons. The Treaty also prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons on national territory and the provision of assistance to any state in the conduct of prohibited activities.

The TPNW is inconsistent with Canada’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which relies on nuclear deterrence as a core aspect of its collective security. The Treaty also lacks the monitoring and verification mechanisms that are necessary for a credible disarmament treaty. In addition, without participation from states that possess nuclear weapons, this Treaty will not eliminate a single weapon.

Canadian civil society actively advocates for Canada to sign the Treaty, and opposition parties have pressed the Government on the issue. Canada supports the total elimination of nuclear weapons, but only as the ultimate step of a process involving states that possess nuclear weapons.

As such, Canada and many of its likeminded allies continue to focus their efforts on initiatives that reflect states’ security concerns, and which could unite nuclear and non- nuclear armed states. Canada actively advocates for the commencement of negotiations on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT); the entry-into-force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT); efforts to build global capacity for nuclear disarmament verification; the expansion of nuclear arms control; and enhanced engagement of underrepresented groups such as women and youth.

Office for Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion (OHRFI)

• Global Affairs Canada’s Office for Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion leads Canada’s policy development and advocacy on human rights, democracy and inclusion.
• The Office supports Canada’s bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and works closely with civil society and other stakeholders.
• The Office leverages Canadian leadership through two funds that support projects in fields such as media freedom, election observation and freedom of religion or belief.

Supplementary messages

• Promoting and Protecting Democracy Fund invests $8.9M a year, while the Inclusion, Diversity and Human Rights Fund invests $7.5M a year.
• The Office houses the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) to defending democracy from foreign threats.

Update

The promotion and protection of democracy and respect for human rights is crucial during these challenging times. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated global inequality and exclusion, including online. In addition, there has been a resurgence of expressions of intolerance, xenophobia and racism associated with the pandemic. Respect for human rights, as well as freedom from discrimination and hate, must be at the center of all efforts in combatting the spread of COVID-19.

Supporting facts and figures

• The Office represents Canada in governmental and multi-stakeholder forums such as the Media Freedom Coalition, the Freedom Online Coalition, the Community of Democracies, the Equal Rights Coalition, the UN’s High-Level Panel for Digital Cooperation, and the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief to address specific human rights and democracy issues.
• RRM Canada provides unique insight on foreign interference online based on open-source analytics. RRM Canada played a critical role in protecting Canada’s 2019 federal election from foreign interference and acting as an early warning system.

Background

The Office of Human Rights, Freedom, and Inclusion (OHRFI) serves as the focal point for the Government of Canada’s engagement with faith and belief communities, civil society actors, Indigenous communities, academics and the broader international community. The OHRFI takes a global approach in advocating for human rights, working within multilateral forums to promote a positive narrative on the benefits of inclusion, respect for diversity, and freedom of religion or belief. It now has a unit that delivers timely and targeted programming initiatives to protect democracy, human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, as well as to promote inclusion and respect for diversity globally.

OECD Secretary-General campaign

• Canada looks forward to working with the newly elected Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.
• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an important international body for Canadians: it will play a meaningful role in helping foster an inclusive and green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other global issues like digital taxation, trade liberalization, the future of work and social policies.
• Canada is proud to have supported Bill Morneau’s candidacy. We will continue to seek roles for qualified Canadians to lead organizations that matter for Canadians and to find solutions to shared global challenges.

Supplementary messages

• As is the case in any campaign for leadership positions in multilateral organizations, the government provided diplomatic support, advocacy and strategic advice to advance Mr. Morneau’s candidacy.
• As of March 31, 2021, the total costs incurred by the government in relation to Mr. Morneau’s campaign is $10,899.73.
• No Canadian officials were exclusively assigned for the purposes of the OECD Secretary-General campaign. However, select staff in Ottawa and at the Permanent Delegation of Canada to the OECD did provide support in line with their regular duties.
• Over the years, the Government of Canada has supported candidates for senior leadership roles in different international organizations through various means in accordance with each circumstance, such as The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean’s campaign for the position of Secretary-General for La Francophonie in 2014 and Mr. Donald Johnston’s campaign for the OECD Secretary-General role in the mid-1990s.

Update

On March 12, 2021, OECD members reached consensus and selected Mathias Cormann from Australia as the new Secretary General. Mr. Cormann is expected to take up the position on June 1, 2021.

Physical security at missions abroad

• Global Affairs Canada operates in a complex risk environment with ever-changing threats and undertakes all reasonable measures to protect Canadian personnel abroad.
• Our government committed, in 2017, $1.87 billion (over 10 years) to improve the safety and security of our people abroad. This is done through enhanced intelligence gathering, security training and more resilient infrastructure.
• While the impacts of COVID-19 on missions abroad continue to be felt, critical security services continue to be provided and alternative mitigation measures are in place.

Supplementary messages

• GAC’s security investments are governed by the department's Global Security Framework, which ensures appropriate investment oversight, prioritization and performance measurement.
• Security infrastructure and practices in our missions abroad are continuously reviewed through rigorous risk assessment analyses to ensure that appropriate physical and operational security measures and safeguards are in place.
• Global Affairs Canada has accepted all five recommendations by the Office of the Auditor General following its review of physical security at Canadian missions abroad in 2018. 91% of these are fully implemented.

Quadrilateral dialogue

• Canada supports cooperation between the four “Quad” members (Australia, Japan, India and the United States) and other likeminded nations working to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• The Quad is not expanding beyond its four members at present.
• We continue to work closely with all four member countries on a broad range of issues.
• Canada values our growing relations with ASEAN and our partners in Southeast Asia.

Supplementary messages

• Canada maintains frequent contact with the members of the Quad through diplomatic and defence channels.

Update

Following an invitation from the Biden administration, Quad leaders held their first leader-level summit virtually on March 16, 2021. Leaders adopted the “Spirit of the Quad” declaration and agreed to establish a COVID-19 Vaccine Working Group, a Climate Change Working Group, and a Critical and Emerging Technologies Working Group.

Supporting facts and figures

• In April 2020, New Zealand, Vietnam and South Korea were invited to join an informal ‘Quad Plus’ format focussed on COVID-19 management in Asia and regional economic recovery. The Biden Administration has recently welcomed Canada’s participation in Quad Plus discussions, on issues to be determined.

Background

The Quadrilateral Dialogue (known as the 'Quad') is a strategic policy dialogue and coordination process established in 2017 which focuses on the Indo-Pacific region. Its members are Australia, India, Japan and the United States. The Quad seeks to promote broad principles on which to base regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, including a renewed commitment to uphold a rules-based international order and advance prosperity and security. To date meetings have been held at senior official, foreign minister and Leader levels.

Russia – Sanctions and human rights

• Canada is deeply concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation and trend towards a closing of civic space in Russia, most recently seen in the treatment of Alexey Navalny and his supporters.
• The recent sanctions announcements by Canada sent a clear message: we will not stand by while Russia continues to violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and the human rights of its own people.
• Canada is concerned with Russia’s plans to restrict access to parts of the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait. We continue to coordinate efforts with allies and partners to support Ukraine.

Supplementary messages

• Canada frequently intervenes with concerns about negative human rights trends in Russia via demarches and public statements, in bilateral meetings, and at multilateral forums such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the UN.
• Canada continues to promote the need to respect human rights multilaterally and bilaterally with Russia. With our allies, we continue to call for the release of Mr. Navalny and his supporters who have been unlawfully detained.
• Coordinated and collective action and messaging with Allies has been Canada’s priority throughout the recent Russian military buildup crisis. Recent G7 and NATO statements affirm our strong support for Ukraine, as we as recent sanctions announcements by Canada, the EU and the US, in response to Russia’s continued occupation of Crimea.
• Canada will maintain pressure on Russia, including through sanctions, until Russia respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international law.
• Despite difficult relations, Canada engages with Russia for the purposes of advancing Canadian interests, e.g. the Arctic, and expressing Canadian values.

Canada’s sanctions regime

• Autonomous sanctions are an important complement to Canada's foreign policy tools for maintaining and restoring international peace and security and promoting respect for human rights.
• Canada is judicious when it chooses to deploy sanctions and is committed to their effective and coordinated use, when appropriate.

Supplementary messages

• Sanctions complement Canada's comprehensive suite of foreign policy tools, which includes engagement, dialogue, and capacity building.
• Canada remains committed to playing a leadership role in the preservation and strengthening of an international rules-based order – sanctions are a component of this approach.
• The Government of Canada seeks to avoid unintended adverse effects of sanctions through targeted deployment and the use of humanitarian exemptions for certain activities. Additionally, GAC is accelerating permit and certificate applications related to the current COVID-19 crisis.

Update

On February 18, 2021, Canada imposed sanctions against 9 Myanmar military officials for their role in the February 2021 coup d’état.

On March 22, 2021, Canada imposed sanctions against 4 officials and 1 entity for their role in gross and systematic human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).

In addition, on March 24, Canada imposed sanctions on 9 Russian officials in response to gross and systematic violations of human rights in Russia including related to the attempted murder and subsequent prosecution of Alexey Navalny.

On March 29, 2021, Canada also announced new sanctions on 2 individuals and 4 entities, in response to Russia’s illegal occupation and annexation of Crimea. All the above measures were taken under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA).

Saudi Arabia – Human rights

• The promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, are an integral part of Canada's foreign policy.
• Canada remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and the ongoing detention of human rights defenders.
• Canada is following the cases of Mr. Raif Badawi and other Saudi human rights defenders closely.

Supplementary messages

• Canada and likeminded countries have publicly called for the release of civil society and women’s rights activists in Saudi Arabia.
• [REDACTED]
• Canada will continue to raise its concerns about human rights with Saudi Arabia at every appropriate opportunity.

Update

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Supporting facts and figures

• Raif Badawi’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, and their three children are Canadian citizens and reside in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
• On January 27, 2021, the House of Commons unanimously passed a Bloc Québécois motion urging the Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship to use discretionary powers to offer Raif Badawi Canadian citizenship.
• On March 15, 2021, a similar motion was introduced in the Senate.

Background

[REDACTED]

Raif Badawi is a Saudi blogger and activist, who is currently serving a ten-year sentence in Saudi Arabia and former Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler acts as his international legal counsel. [REDACTED]

Loujain Al-Hathloul was arrested in May 2018, along with 11 other women’s rights activists. A prominent and outspoken Saudi human rights defenders, Ms. Al-Hathloul attended UBC as a student. She was convicted of terrorism related offences in December 2020 and sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in prison with a “suspension of 2 years and 10 months of [her] punishment” due to health considerations. In February, she was conditionally released and remains subject to arbitrary arrest and detention at any time; she is barred from leaving Saudi Arabia.

In August 2020, Saad al-Jabri, a former high ranking Saudi intelligence officer and current resident in Canada, filed a lawsuit in US court accusing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) of seeking to silence or kill him to stop him from undermining the Crown Prince’s relationship with the United States and the Trump administration.

[REDACTED]

Saudi officials perceive Canada’s public engagement on human rights issues as not only an irritant but also an unacceptable interference in domestic affairs.

Saudi Arabia – Bilateral dispute

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Supplementary messages

• Canada remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia and the ongoing detention of civil society and women’s rights activists.
• Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women's rights and freedom of expression, around the world.
• Canada remains concerned about the dispute's impact on Canadian citizens and businesses.

Update

The bilateral relationship has been fractured since August 2018, [REDACTED]. Saudi Arabia’s ongoing human rights violations remain a predominant concern for Canada. In November 2020, Prime Minister Trudeau participated in the virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia.

Human rights in Sri Lanka

• Lack of progress on post-conflict accountability and warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
• Canada, with international partners, led efforts to successfully adopt a new resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council’s 46^th session in March of 2021.
• The resolution mandates that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights collect and preserve evidence of human rights violations, develop strategies for future accountability processes, and continue to report on the situation in Sri Lanka.

Update

Resolution 46/1 was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on March 23, 2021 with 22 votes in favour, 11 votes against, and 14 abstentions. The new resolution strengthens the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to collect and preserve information and evidence of crimes related to Sri Lanka’s civil war that ended in 2009. It also requests the OHCHR to enhance its monitoring and reporting on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka, including the preparation of a comprehensive report with further options for advancing accountability for presentation at the Human Rights Council’s 51^st session in September of 2022.

Canada and the international community will consider these options when the OHCHR presents its comprehensive report.

Supporting facts and figures

• You and Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant issued statements on Sri Lanka during the 46^th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
• During the high-level segment on February 24, 2021, you outlined warning signs of the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
• On February 25, 2021, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant issued a statement in response to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report on Sri Lanka. He reiterated that domestic accountability processes in Sri Lanka have repeatedly failed to deliver results.

Background

Canada has long supported UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) action on Sri Lanka, including through resolutions 30/1 (2015), 34/1 (2017), and 40/1 (2019). Canada joined the Core Group for the resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in December 2018, alongside the UK, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Germany. Canada was disappointed when the Government of Sri Lanka withdrew its support from resolution 40/1 and its consensual framework in February of 2020, in favour of a strictly domestic approach to reconciliation. Canada and Core Group partners believe that previous domestic processes have proven insufficient to tackle impunity and deliver real reconciliation. Moreover, there have been recent and worrisome human rights trends in Sri Lanka, including the erosion of democracy through the militarization of civilian government, intervention with the independent judiciary, shrinking space for civil society and media, and concerns over the treatment of minority communities. For these reasons, the Core Group led efforts on a newly-voted resolution keep Sri Lanka on the UNHRC’s agenda at the 46^th session from February 22 to March 23, 2021.

Syria consular cases

• We are aware of Canadians being detained in northeastern Syria and are particularly concerned with cases of Canadian children.
• Given the security situation, our ability to provide consular assistance in Syria remains extremely limited.
• We continue to seek information from the Syrian Kurdish authorities on Canadians in their custody, and to monitor the situation closely.
• Due to the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed.

Supplementary messages

Consular case of a Canadian child

We are aware that a Canadian child exited northeastern Syria into Iraq. The Government of Canada was not involved in securing the child’s exit from northeastern Syria. Once the child was in Iraq, consular assistance was provided to facilitate the child’s travel to Canada. Due to the need to respect the child and their family’s privacy, no further information will be disclosed on this case.

Consular case of orphan child

In October 2020, the Government of Canada provided repatriation assistance on an exceptional basis to a Canadian orphan. The child is now safely back in Canada with their extended family. Due to the need to respect the child and their family’s privacy, no further information will be disclosed on this case.

Update

In March 2021, the exit of a Canadian child from an Internally Displaced Persons camp in northeastern Syria was facilitated by a former U.S. diplomat, with the consent of the child’s mother who remains in detention. The Government of Canada was not involved in this effort aside from providing consular assistance to facilitate the child’s travel from Iraq to Canada.

Background

The Government of Canada is currently aware of a number of Canadian citizens who are being detained by the Syrian Kurds in northeastern Syria. However, Canada closed its mission in Damascus, Syria, in 2012 and currently has no diplomatic representatives in the country. Canada’s ability to provide consular assistance there is therefore extremely limited.

On October 4, 2020, GAC successfully repatriated a child to Canada with the support of the Canadian Armed Forces. [REDACTED] was reunited in Canada with her extended family on October 5, 2020.

Since the repatriation of [REDACTED], GAC has received multiple enquiries from the families of the Canadian detainees asking when and if their loved ones in Kurdish detention will be repatriated to Canada.

Syria crisis and peace talks

• Inclusive, intra-Syrian peace negotiations are the only path towards a sustainable, long-term solution to the conflict.
• The Syrian regime must participate meaningfully in these processes, including at the UN-led Geneva talks.
• The conditions inside Syria are still not conducive to a safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return of refugees.
• Full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access is vital to reach those most in need throughout Syria.

Supplementary messages

• The meaningful participation of women in peace negotiations is critical to the success of peace talks and an eventual political settlement.
• Canada condemns, in the strongest terms, the deliberate targeting of civilians by the Syrian regime and its supporters.
• Canada supports the necessary tools to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria to ensure accountability for those responsible, including for the use of chemical weapons.

Update

On April 21, 201, the Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on Chemical Weapons (CWC) voted to revoke Syria’s rights and privileges under the CWC, an unprecedented move in response to Syria’s possession and use of chemical weapons. In January 2021, the Geneva peace talks resumed; however, a lack of meaningful engagement by the regime meant that no progress was made. In Idlib, the March 2020 ceasefire faces daily breaches, despite having endured, largely due to the will of Turkey and Russia.

Syria (ICJ)

• Canada is proud to join the Netherlands in holding the Assad regime accountable for its flagrant and repeated violations of human rights, including the use of torture committed in Syria.
• Together with the Netherlands, Canada is committed to attempting to resolve our dispute with Syria through negotiations, in accordance with the dispute resolution procedure under the Convention Against Torture.
• Syrians have lived through a decade of unspeakable suffering at the hands of the Assad regime. A sustainable peace will only be possible once those responsible for these abuses are held to account.

Supplementary messages

• The dispute resolution provisions of the Convention Against Torture (CAT) require, as a first step, negotiation in good faith on the part of the states parties.
• If our genuine attempt to resolve this dispute is unsuccessful, Canada and the Netherlands intend to continue the dispute resolution process against the Assad regime for its human rights violations under the CAT. The next step involves attempting to agree to terms of arbitration and, if no agreement can be reached in that regard, bringing the dispute before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Background

Canada has supported accountability and transitional justice initiatives to hold the Assad regime, and other parties to the conflict, accountable for human rights violations committed in Syria since at least 2011. These violations of international human rights, including the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are well documented, including by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.

Canada, the Netherlands and the Syrian Arab Republic are among 171 states parties to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) that prohibits the use of torture.

On September 18, 2020, the Netherlands invoked the UNCAT with respect to Syria’s responsibility for human rights violations, in particular torture, contrary to the state’s obligations under the Convention. Canada has joined the Netherlands as a full partner in its endeavors, which may culminate in bringing a case before the ICJ. On March 4, 2021, Canada announced that it had invited the Syrian Arab Republic to enter into negotiations, pursuant to Article 30(1) of the UNCAT, to find a means of addressing Syria’s treaty violations given the longstanding dispute with the Assad regime.

On March 12, 2021, Canada and the Netherlands issued a joint Ministerial statement to affirm collaboration between the two countries, including a commitment to taking further steps to hold the Assad regime accountable for its violations of the UNCAT, and to demand justice for the victims of the regime’s horrific crimes.

Canada is committed to upholding the rules-based international order, and calls on all States and the international community to join our efforts to hold Syria accountable.

Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets)

• Canada fully supports the efforts of the White Helmets and we continue to affirm the legitimacy of their work in Syria.
• Canada has been a key partner to the White Helmets and we feel a deep moral responsibility towards these brave and selfless people, including the women who were recruited as a result of our support.

Supplementary messages

• Since undertaking the 2018 evacuation initiative of over 400 vulnerable White Helmet members and their families, the Government of Canada has been working tirelessly to complete the resettlement process.
• It was and continues to be Canada’s intention to ensure the resettlement of the remaining families.
• We continue our honest and transparent relationship with the White Helmets organization.

Supporting facts and figures

• Between 2017 and 2019, Canada provided $9 million to the White Helmets to help increase the number of women volunteers and the organization's capacity to clear explosive hazards, as well as rescue operations.
• Canada led an international effort in July 2018 to help evacuate particularly vulnerable White Helmet members from southern Syria. Work is ongoing to resettle the 422 White Helmets and their families in Canada and other partner countries.

Background

The Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) are a group of civilian first responders operating in opposition-held areas of Syria. Small groups of first responders spontaneously emerged in late 2012 to assist civilians injured or trapped due to bombardments by regime forces. In 2014, these teams came together to form a single organisation with a centralized leadership. The White Helmets serve an estimated four million civilians in Syria. To date, they have rescued or aided over 110,000 individuals and their work has earned them nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 and 2016. Since the summer of 2018, when the Syrian army retook control of southern Syria, the White Helmets have been limited to operating in northern Syria, principally in the Idlib governorate.

As the White Helmets have witnessed and documented regime and Russian attacks on civilians, the Syrian regime and Russia have labelled the organization as terrorists; they have maintained a vitriolic disinformation campaign alleging ties to extremist groups in Syria, and/or that it is comprised of organ traffickers or western agents. Canada, and other like-minded nations, have continued to express support for the White Helmets and defend their legitimacy as impartial and non-belligerent.

The White Helmets are dependent on funding from international donors to maintain the civil defence services they provide to communities in northwest Syria. As the White Helmets do not have the administrative capacity to manage funding from multiple donors, they have relied on partnerships with other organizations. Current donors include the US, UK, Denmark and Germany. The White Helmets also receive some support from various other sources, including a $1M grant from Grand Challenges Canada (2020) to support the White Helmets’ COVID-19 response.

[REDACTED]

Following the July 2018 evacuation of over 400 vulnerable White Helmets from southern Syria, they and their families were brought to Jordan to await onward resettlement in a number of countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany. The Government of Canada continues to systematically pursue different resettlement options for a number of White Helmets and their families currently in Jordan.

Ukraine – Russian aggression and NATO membership

• Canada is deeply concerned about Russia’s military build-up in Crimea and around Ukraine, its disinformation campaign, and its plans to restrict access to parts of the Black Sea and Kerch Strait.
• Although Russia appears to be pulling back some elements, we will continue to monitor the situation in close coordination with Ukraine and Allies.
• Canada fully supports NATO’s Open Door Policy. We are keen to help Ukraine maximize its Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP) status, which is a key avenue for Ukraine to advance its Euro-Atlantic goals.

Supplementary messages

• Like the Kerch Strait attack in 2018, the recent Russian military build-up on the Crimean Peninsula and around Ukraine’s borders is a reminder of how quickly Moscow can dial-up tensions in the region.
• Canada is deeply concerned about Russia’s efforts to restrict navigation in parts of the Black Sea, and to restrict access to the Kerch Strait. We call on Russia to allow all Ukrainian vessels, including Ukrainian warships and other government vessels, unhindered access to the Kerch Strait, in accordance with international law.
• Coordinated and collective messaging and efforts among Allies has been Canada’s priority throughout the current Russian military buildup crisis, including the Kerch Strait issue.
• Recent G7 and NATO statements affirm strong support for Ukraine, as well as recent sanctions announcements by Canada, the EU, and the US, in response to Russia’s continued occupation of Crimea.
• Canada’s position is clear - we will continue to condemn Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and international law, as well as its actions towards the forcible integration of the Crimean peninsula into Russia.
• Canada will continue to maintain pressure on Russia, including through sanctions, until Russia respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and international law.
• Allies decided at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Ukraine “will” become a member of NATO.
• Ukraine’s Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP) status is an important recognition by NATO of the progress that Ukraine has made, and of Ukraine’s significant and valued contributions to NATO operations and exercises.

Supporting facts and figures

• On April 22, in what appears to be a de-escalation to the current crisis, Russia’s Minister of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, announced that Russia would be recalling its troops from Crimea and the border of Ukraine starting April 23, after declaring the snap military exercises a “success.” Some troops and military capabilities will remain in place for Russia’s annual “Zapad” military exercise planned for August/September 2021.
• On April 15, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Russia is planning to close parts of the Black Sea, near the Kerch Strait, for foreign warships and state vessels, until October 2021, under the pretext of military trainings. It appears that commercial vessels will not be affected.
• The Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence have all recently spoken with and remain in close contact with their Ukrainian counterparts to share information and convey Canada’s support.
• NATO granted Ukraine Enhanced Opportunities Partner (EOP) status in June 2020, a decision for which Canada strongly advocated. This status will serve to further deepen NATO-Ukraine relations. Ukraine is now one of six EOPs, alongside Australia, Finland, Georgia, Jordan and Sweden. It does not pre-judge any decisions on NATO membership.
• President Zelenskyy has pushed more intensively for a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) in recent weeks, [REDACTED]. MAP is a NATO tool that is meant to prepare a Partner for membership. Allies continue to encourage Ukraine to advance its reform efforts and interoperability with NATO forces.
• As the NATO Contact Point Embassy in Ukraine (along with the U.K.), Canada supports public diplomacy efforts to bring Ukraine closer to Euro-Atlantic standards and principles.
• Through our peace and security programming, we are helping to build the capacity of Ukraine’s police and develop a more capable military through Operation UNIFIER- Canada’s military training mission to Ukraine. Through Operation UNIFIER, Canada has trained over 25,000 Ukrainian security forces to date. Since 2014, Canada has provided over CAD $885 million in total assistance to support Ukraine.
• Since 2014, Canada has imposed a broad range of sanctions through the Special Economic Measures Act against more than 440 Russian and Ukrainian individuals and entities who have directly or indirectly facilitated the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty or territorial integrity or obstructed the work of international organizations in Ukraine.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)

• Canada is committed to helping vulnerable Palestinians, including refugees whom UNRWA is mandated to serve.
• Sufficient and predictable resources is important for meeting the needs of refugees and to support regional stability.
• Canada expects UNRWA to uphold UN values and humanitarian principles, including neutrality, in all activities.

Supplementary messages

• It is concerning that problematic educational materials were provided to students. UNRWA recognized the error and implemented corrective actions.
• Canadian officials are monitoring UNRWA’s activities. Our engagement allows us to insist on accountability and transparency.

Update

In January and February of 2021, reports brought to the attention of Canada and other donors to UNRWA claimed that certain educational materials used by UNRWA for ‘self-learning’ during pandemic-related school closures violated UN values. UNRWA has since assessed those materials and taken corrective actions. The Minister of International Development and Canadian officials are working closely with partners and UNRWA’s senior management to address the issue of problematic educational materials, and to help ensure that UN values are upheld and that UNRWA takes further corrective actions, as needed, in this regard.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada has committed $90M to UNRWA from 2020 through 2022.
• Canada’s support helps more than half a million Palestinian children who rely on UNRWA for education services.
• UNRWA also delivers critical food or cash assistance to approximately 2 million beneficiaries, with a focus on the very poorest.
• Canadian funding reinforces UNRWA’s ongoing efforts on neutrality, including work by UNRWA staff to identify, monitor, and follow up on violations of this principle.
• Canada exercises enhanced due diligence for all international assistance funding for Palestinians, including funding for UNRWA.

Background

Since 1948, UNRWA has been the only UN organization mandated to provide basic services to over five million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. UNRWA is almost entirely funded through voluntary contributions by international donors and has faced a significant funding shortfall partly as a result of growing needs, falling contributions, and a volatile environment. UNRWA's Program Budget (education, health and social services) and its Emergency Appeals for humanitarian assistance are currently facing deficits. Without significant additional resources, services may need to be cut, leading to negative humanitarian consequences.

Canada-United States relations

• On February 23, 2021, PM Trudeau and President Biden launched the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.- Canada Partnership to guide whole-of- government efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic and in support of our mutual prosperity and security.
• The Canada-U.S. temporary border arrangement is working well, reflecting the open and effective communications between our two governments.
• As vaccination rolls out and the pandemic is better controlled, we would like to find a consensus for a gradual reopening of the border.

Supplementary messages

• The close and productive ties built by parliamentarians with Members of Congress, subnational leaders, and other American influencers are crucial, especially in the context of the pandemic.
• Following a proposal by the U.S. Government earlier this year, Government of Canada officials have begun exploratory talks with the U.S. State Department on a possible bilateral science, technology and innovation treaty between our two countries. Formal negotiations to finalize such a treaty could begin in the fall.

Update

You met with Secretary Blinken on February 26, 2021 and agreed to coordinate on a number of global challenges, including China. On May 5, you had a pull aside with Secretary Blinken on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. You provided background on Line 5 and highlighted Canada’s decision to file an amicus brief in support of Enbridge’s position.

On April 21, PM Trudeau had a call with President Biden ahead of the Climate Leaders’ Summit hosted by the U.S. on April 22-23. The two leaders highlighted the importance of increased global ambition in the fight against climate change, and discussed the ongoing vaccination efforts in both countries, as well as the economic recovery and the importance of the G7 in protecting our shared values. PM Trudeau also thanked President Biden for its support and efforts in securing the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

The North American Leaders’ Summit will be an important milestone in rebuilding alliances. The U.S. has indicated that a NALS is not likely before the G7 meeting in June, but the summertime frame may still be a possibility.

Supporting facts and figures (Statistics in Canadian Dollars)

• In 2020, bilateral trade in goods and services was $859.2 billion. While overall bilateral flows were down significantly for the year as a whole (86% of 2019 levels), trade had recovered to 92% of 2019 levels by the fourth quarter of 2020.
• Millions of U.S. jobs are related to trade and investment with Canada, more than from any other single trading partner.

Background

Border management: On April 21, the temporary border arrangement between Canada and the U.S. was extended through May 21, 2021. In the “Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership”, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden recognized that coordinated border policies remain central to controlling COVID-19 and new variants, while promoting economic growth and recovery. Both leaders agreed to take a coordinated approach based on science and public health criteria when considering measures to ease Canada-U.S. border restrictions in the future.

S&T and Innovation: The U.S. has proposed that both our countries conclude a legally-binding bilateral science, technology and innovation (STI) treaty. Canada’s large, complex and multi-sectorial S&T relationship with the U.S. has grown organically over time, with Canadian federal and other departments and agencies having developed their own partnership arrangements with counterparts in all corners of the United States. The proposed treaty would provide an overarching framework under which these relationships could continue to grow and develop. Exploratory talks with the U.S. concerning such a treaty have begun. If Cabinet approves a negotiating mandate, formal negotiations to finalize a treaty could begin in the fall.

Bilateral economic priorities

• On February 23, 2021, PM Trudeau and President Biden launched the “Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership” to revitalize and expand our historic relationship, and to prioritize public, climate-resilient and green infrastructure spending to spur economic recovery after COVID-19.
• The Canada-U.S. trade relationship is fair and complementary. It is built on longstanding binational supply chains – networks of businesses that are not just trading goods but making goods together.
• Canada is committed to working with the U.S. and Mexico to implement the CUSMA, including by advocating for Canadian businesses and supporting labour reform in Mexico.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada and the United States enjoy the largest trading relationship in the world. In 2019, Canada-U.S. bilateral trade in goods and services totaled over $1 trillion.
• Canada is the largest single-country market for U.S. exports; 33 of the 50 U.S. states consider Canada their most important export destination.
• The United States is the most important source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada. In 2019, its share of FDI in Canada was $455 billion, representing 47 per cent of the total FDI in Canada.

Background

PM Trudeau and President Biden met on February 23, 2021 and committed to the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership, a cornerstone of a whole-of- government approach to Canada-U.S. relations. Economically, it prioritizes building back better to address the disproportionate impacts on women and underrepresented groups, and considers the impact of the pandemic on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The leaders also launched a strategy to strengthen Canada-U.S. supply chain security.

Canada and the U.S. are increasing public climate-resilient and green infrastructure spending as a means to spur economic recovery after COVID-19. President Biden’s US$2 trillion green infrastructure and clean energy plan calls for investments in clean energy technologies and infrastructure, new electric vehicle charging stations, battery manufacturing, and foreign investment. Canadian firms have significant experience building and operating some of the world’s largest renewable energy plants through developers, engineering firms, equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

CUSMA entered into force on July 1, 2020, reinforcing the strong trilateral economic ties and enhancing North American competitiveness. Recently, parties have focused on implementing the auto rules of origin and the standing CUSMA committees, including those on SMEs and North American competitiveness. Canada has devoted $27.5 million over 4 years, beginning in April 2021, to support Mexican labour reform programming and establish a monitoring and compliance regime. The U.S. has appropriated US$180 million for programming to support similar efforts in Mexico. Canadian and U.S. officials engage regularly to coordinate their efforts.

Bilateral economic priorities

• On February 23, PM Trudeau and President Biden launched the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.- Canada Partnership to revitalize and expand our historic relationship, and to prioritize public, climate-resilient and green infrastructure spending to spur economic recovery.
• The Canada-U.S. trade relationship is strong and complementary. It is built on longstanding binational supply chains – networks of businesses that don’t just trade, but make goods together.
• Canada is committed to working with the U.S. and Mexico to support the effective implementation of CUSMA, including by advocating for Canadian businesses interests and supporting Mexican labour reform.

Update

CUSMA entered into force on July 1, 2020, reinforcing the strong trilateral economic ties and enhancing North American competitiveness. Recently, parties have focused on implementing the auto rules of origin and preparation for the first Free Trade Commission meeting from May 17 to18, 2021.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada and the United States enjoy the largest trading relationship in the world. In 2019, Canada-U.S. bilateral trade in goods and services totaled over $1 trillion.
• Canada is the largest single-country market for U.S. exports; 33 of the 50 U.S. states consider Canada their most important export destination.
• The United States is the most important source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada. In 2019, its share of FDI in Canada was $455 billion, representing 47%.

Background

On February 23, 2021, PM Trudeau and President Biden committed to the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership, a cornerstone of a whole-of-government approach to Canada-U.S. relations. Economically, it prioritizes building back better to address the disproportionate impacts on women and underrepresented groups, and considers the impact of the pandemic on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The leaders also launched a strategy to strengthen Canada-U.S. supply chain security.

Canada and the U.S. are increasing public spending on climate-resilient and green infrastructure as a means to spur economic recovery. President Biden’s US$2 trillion green infrastructure and clean energy plan calls for investments in clean energy technologies and infrastructure, new electric vehicle charging stations, battery manufacturing, and foreign investment. Canadian firms have significant experience building and operating some of the world’s largest renewable energy plants through developers, engineering firms, equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

Buy American and Buy America

• Canada is exempt from Buy American requirements.
• Canada has long-standing concerns with Buy America requirements, as it does not have an exemption.
• The federal government is engaging the U.S. Administration, members of Congress, allies at the sub-national level, and U.S. business and labour communities, to advocate for a Canada - U.S. approach to the U.S. infrastructure package.

Supplementary messages

• As we have seen in the past, applying Buy America against Canada can have negative impacts on U.S. manufacturers and workers, increase costs, delay projects, and result in negative environmental or safety impacts.
• Canada must continue to demonstrate the value that our suppliers bring to the U.S. marketplace and we must use all the tools we have at our disposal to protect the security and resilience of our cross-border supply chains.

Background

Buy American requirements were first established during the U.S. Great Depression and are set out in the Buy American Act of 1933, which mandates that all federal government departments purchase only U.S. goods. Canada is exempt from Buy American requirements as a result of our respective obligations under the revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).

However, Canada is not exempt from Buy America requirements. Since 1982, Buy America requirements have applied to the purchase of iron, steel and manufactured goods used in state/local infrastructure projects funded – in whole or in part – by certain U.S. federal departments and agencies (mainly the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency). In addition, procurement of rolling stock (e.g., buses, subway cars, vehicles) requires 70% U.S. domestic content and final assembly in the U.S. to be considered Buy America compliant. As federal transfers or grants to lower levels of government are not covered by the U.S. under the GPA, imposing Buy America requirements is consistent with U.S. trade obligations.

There is broad bipartisan support for Buy America policies in the U.S. and it is expected that President Biden will add existing, or potentially expanded, Buy America requirements to the projects funded by the American Jobs Plan, which will invest US$2 trillion over 8 years in physical and green infrastructure, workforce development, and the caregiving economy. This initiative, which would be the subject of new legislation, could particularly impact Canadian companies supplying products for:

• Transportation infrastructure projects (e.g., roads and highways, bridges, rail, charging stations for electric vehicles, port facilities, and airports);
• Transportation goods (e.g., trains, subway cars, buses, vehicles, including electric vehicles);
• Water and wastewater infrastructure;
• Power sector infrastructure; and
• Social infrastructure projects (e.g. school upgrades).

The federal government is engaging the U.S. Administration, members of Congress, allies at the sub-national level and in the U.S. business and labour communities, to advocate for a Canada-U.S. approach to the U.S. infrastructure package. A strong Team Canada approach will be required to advance Canada’s interests.

Canada-U.S. relations and roadmap

• Canada is a key U.S. ally. No two nations depend more on each other for their prosperity and security.
• On February 23, PM Trudeau and President Biden launched a Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership to revitalize and expand our historic relationship and realize its full potential.
• This roadmap is the cornerstone of a whole-of- government approach to Canada-U.S. relations and includes the creation of a High-level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate, the revival of the North American Leaders’ Summit, and expansion of the U.S.-Canada Arctic Dialogue, among other initiatives.
• We continue to work with the U.S. including on border issues, trade, and the ongoing implementation of the Canada-United States- Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), as well as addressing important foreign policy issues.

Supplementary messages

Trade

• Millions of American jobs are supported by trade and investment with Canada. The U.S. sells more goods to Canada than to any other country – more than it sells to China, Japan and the U.K. combined.
• Canada is committed to working with the U.S. and Mexico to implement the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which is particularly important for the post-pandemic economic recovery.
• Open procurement has been a win-win for the U.S. and Canada: we’ve supported good, middle-class jobs, created opportunities for our businesses, and ensured value for our taxpayers.
• We recognize the U.S. desire to use government procurement to support American workers and jobs.
• However, economic recovery efforts that limit the use of inputs from Canada would negatively affect U.S. companies and workers that rely on cross-border supply chains.
• Given our shared vision for sustainable economic recovery in North America and the opportunities afforded by advancing clean growth, we should work together on a Canada-U.S. approach to economic recovery efforts.

Climate and energy

• We welcome the new Canada-U.S. High-level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate, which will provide a valuable platform to discuss efforts to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees C.
• During the April 22-23 U.S.-hosted Leaders’ Summit on Climate, Canada pledged to enhance the emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement – known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) – by 40-45% below 2005 levels, by 2030.
• Canada is the United States’ primary energy supplier and partner in energy security.
• Canada is disappointed but acknowledges President Biden’s decision to fulfil his election campaign promise to cancel the Keystone XL permit.
• Canada supports the continued safe operation of Enbridge Line 5 and completion of the tunnel replacement project. Line 5 is critical to central Canada’s economic and energy security, and also delivers feedstock to refineries in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, providing energy for business, consumers, home heating and transportation..

International security and foreign policy

• Canada is the U.S.’ most important ally, defence and national security partner, e.g., NORAD, NATO, and Five Eyes. We look forward to closer collaboration with the U.S. on our responses to global security challenges.
• We look forward to working with the U.S. on the Biden administration’s proposed Summit for Democracies, which Secretary Blinken indicated the U.S. could host at the end of 2021.
• We share many of the U.S. concerns on China, including human rights, security, and economic issues). We deplore China’s arbitrary detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. We thank the U.S. for its continued support on this issue.

Inclusion and respect for diversity

• Canada and the U.S. share a commitment to greater equality. Canada works to advance inclusion and respect for diversity, to help us become a more just and prosperous society.
• Pleased that PM Trudeau and President Biden agreed to work together, as part of the Roadmap for a Renewed Canada-U.S. Partnership, to combat systemic racism and discrimination, including by sharing best practices and promoting diversity and inclusion within both public and private sectors.

Supporting facts and figures

• In 2020, bilateral trade in goods and services was $859.2 billion. While overall bilateral flows were down significantly for the year as a whole (86% of 2019 levels), trade had recovered to 92% of 2019 levels by the fourth quarter of 2020.
• Canada is the largest and most secure foreign source of energy for the U.S., supplying 56% of its crude oil imports; 98% of natural gas imports; 88% of electricity imports; and 24% of uranium imports in 2019. In 2019, the Canada-U.S. bilateral energy trade totaled $151.7 billion, including a $86.3 billion surplus for Canada. Canada exported 91% (by value) of its global energy exports to the United States.

Background

The Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership prioritizes:

• Combating COVID-19, including support for relevant multilateral organizations such as the WHO and the UN;
• Building back better with our shared vision for a sustainable economic recovery;
• Accelerating our climate ambitions, including through a new High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate;
• Advancing diversity and inclusion through combatting systemic racism and gender-based discrimination;
• Bolstering security and defense by modernizing NORAD and supporting our shared commitment to transatlantic security; and,
• Building global alliances by reviving the North American Leaders’ Summit and working through multilateral organizations, including the UN, the G7, G20, WTO, NATO, and FVEY.

Central American migration

• Addressing irregular migration originating in Central America is a key priority for Canada, as well as for our U.S. partners.
• Canada is working with regional organizations and governments to address root causes of irregular migration, enhance the capacity of foreign states to tackle the criminal elements of irregular migration and to ensure that migration routes are safe, orderly and regular.
• Canada continues to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection to crisis- affected populations, particularly through funding to trusted humanitarian partners, including United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Canada-U.S. vaccine cooperation

• Canada continues to work in close collaboration with the Biden administration to coordinate our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Early in the pandemic, the U.S. exempted Canada from export restrictions placed on certain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and in March offered a loan of 1.5M doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine – a clear recognition of the special role we play in their economic and national security.

Update

The White House announced on April 26, 2021, that the U.S. will share its entire pipeline of AstraZeneca vaccines with Canada – with 10 million doses available immediately and an additional 50 million scheduled for delivery between May and June.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada has negotiated eight agreements with vaccine manufacturers, four of which are with U.S.-based pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Moderna, Jenssen and Novavax). Thus far, Health Canada has approved vaccines from three of the four U.S. companies for emergency use (Pfizer, Moderna, and Jenssen).
• Canada is a top five supplier to the U.S. for 69 of the 203 imported COVID- response products, or the sixth largest foreign source overall. This includes disinfectants, medical sterilizers, electrocardiographs, and inputs into the production of PPE, such as the pulp for N95 masks.
• The U.S. remains Canada’s top supplier of medical goods, particularly for more sophisticated medical products such as diagnostic instruments and medications.

Background

On January 21, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order titled “Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain” to direct authorities to secure supplies necessary to respond to domestic needs related to COVID-19, including the authorities of the Defense Production Act (DPA).

Since the issuance of this Order, the Biden Administration has invoked the DPA to increase production of vaccines by U.S. manufacturers. U.S. Government priority- rated orders do not explicitly prohibit exports. However, once a U.S. company has been issued a DPA-rated order from the U.S. government, it is legally bound to comply in fulfilling that order on a priority basis. A supplier can continue to fill other orders while working on a priority-rated order if its supplies are sufficient, in accordance with the details of the Order.

Canada has an exemption to export restrictions of certain medical products under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), valid until June 30, 2021. These restrictions do not cover COVID vaccines.

In March of 2021, the U.S. Government exported 1.5 million AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine doses to Canada, which counted as part of Canada’s 20 million doses secured through a bilateral agreement with AstraZeneca.

Line 5

• Canada strongly supports the continued safe operation of Line 5 and is committed to protecting the Great Lakes.
• We recognize the serious impacts that shutting down Line 5 would have in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
• Canada has been continuously advocating in support of Line 5 since 2017. This has included engagement by both the Embassy in Washington and Canada’s Consulate General in Detroit.

Supplementary messages

• Canada is on the record with written, official comments in support of both the existing Line 5 and the proposed Tunnel Project to replace it, as part of state and federal-level permitting processes and public comment periods.
• The Prime Minister has raised Line 5 with President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken.
• Ambassador Hillman has discussed Canada’s concerns with the Governor of Michigan.
• We will continue to engage with U.S. officials, legislators and other stakeholders on the importance of Line 5 and the negative consequences to both countries of shutting it down.

Supporting facts and figures

• Line 5 runs 1,038 km from the terminal hub of Superior, Wisconsin, through Michigan, crossing the border at Sarnia, Ontario.
• Line 5 carries up to 540,000 barrels/day of Canadian light crude oil and natural gas liquids through the U.S., delivering feedstock back into Canada (critical to Ontario and Quebec refineries) and some to U.S. refineries in the region.

Background

Line 5 is a pipeline operating safely since 1953, carrying light crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs) from Alberta and Saskatchewan to Michigan and Ontario. Connecting pipelines transport these resources further to Quebec, Ohio and Pennsylvania. A shutdown of the Line 5 would cause significant economic disruption.

On November 13, 2020, Michigan announced that it was revoking Enbridge’s 1953 authorization (‘easement’) to operate its Line 5 pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac, which connect Lakes Michigan and Huron. Citing alleged violations of the easement agreement by Enbridge, which Michigan sees as an unacceptable oil spill risk, the company was given until May 12 to cease operations. The Governor has filed a legal claim seeking a state court decision to validate this action. Enbridge has filed a suit against Michigan in federal U.S. District Court, seeking to remove the case from State to federal jurisdiction. The state court case is in abeyance, awaiting a decision from federal court. The federal court has set aside all considerations and motions, with the exception of Michigan’s motion to remand the case to state court.

On February 17, the federal court judge set a briefing schedule for one procedural motion, whether to remand the case to state court, whereby all action is suspended until the federal court determines jurisdiction. Filings of pleadings may run until June 2, 2021, after Michigan’s stipulated shutdown date of May 12. The federal court judge ordered Enbridge and Michigan to enter into mediation to see if they might reach a settlement, thereby rendering court proceedings unnecessary. A mediator has been announced, with the first meeting to take place on April 16, [Update] after which they will report out a meeting schedule to the judge. Any mediation outcome is non-binding.

Canada’s advocacy in support of Line 5 has been ongoing for several years, led primarily by the Consulate General in Detroit. The Consulate General in New York has also joined the advocacy activities to cover a refinery in western Pennsylvania. In addition, Canada’s current and former ambassadors have had discussions with Governor Whitmer.

UN Security Council (UNSC) campaign costs

• Canada ran a fiscally responsible campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, with most of the resources for the campaign being reallocated from within Global Affairs Canada.
• $2.45 million was spent on operational expenditures for the campaign. This figure does not include staff salaries, which were covered by existing resources.
• Through the campaign, we reinvigorated our bilateral relationships with countries all over the world, which we will continue to build on. We also created new partnerships and renewed and strengthened existing relationships throughout the multilateral system.
• Submitting a candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council was a concrete demonstration of Canada’s ongoing commitment to international peace and security and to multilateralism.

Supplementary messages

• Canada continues to actively engage in the UN’s work, as well as playing a leadership role in other multilateral forums such as the G20, G7, the Commonwealth, la Francophonie, and NATO.

Venezuela

• Canada is deeply concerned by the situation in Venezuela and the resulting needs of Venezuelans.
• Canada is concerned by ongoing reports of harassment and interference against civil society, humanitarian organizations, and independent media that operate in Venezuela.
• Canada is working with its regional and international partners to press for a peaceful return to democracy in Venezuela through free, fair and credible elections.

Supplementary messages

• Nearly 5.6 million Venezuelans have left the country because of the crisis. Canada is concerned by reports of armed clashes at the border between Colombia and Venezuela, which have resulted in a further displacement of populations in the area.
• Canada continues to actively engage the international community to speak with a unified voice and agree on a common response to the crisis.

Update

The September 2020 report from the UN Fact Finding Mission on Venezuela found that high-ranking individuals in the Maduro regime have committed crimes against humanity, including forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and extra- judicial killings. An oral update from the Fact-Finding Mission on March 10, 2021, reported that there have been at least 200 killings by police since the beginning of this year.

On June 17, 2021, Minister Gould will host the International Donor’s Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants to raise awareness and support for the nearly 5.6 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants who have left the country since 2015.

Supporting facts and figures

• A collapsed economy and health care system means that Venezuela is among the worst hit by the pandemic in the Americas. The poverty rate is estimated to be above 96% (with extreme poverty at 79.3%) and the minimum wage is less than US $5 per month. Venezuela’s GDP has shrunk by 70% since 2013.
• Over 7 million people need humanitarian assistance inside Venezuela; millions face food insecurity.
• Nearly 5.6 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015, many to neighbouring countries such as Colombia (>1.7 million), Peru (>1 million), Chile (457,000), and Ecuador (443,000).
• Canada’s assistance to the Venezuelan crisis has targeted the needs of Venezuelan migrants, refugees and host communities in neighbouring countries.
• Canada’s sanctions do not target Venezuela as a country, but the individuals who have committed human rights abuses, attacks on democratic institutions, and/or significant acts of corruption.
• Canada does not import crude oil from Venezuela.
• There are currently no Canadian-owned mining companies operating in Venezuela.

Background

In Venezuela, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as millions of people face food insecurity, shortages of fuel and other basic goods, a deteriorating health care system, and hyper-inflation.

Since 2019, Canada has committed a total of $86 million in response to the Venezuela crisis (as of December 31, 2020). Included in this amount is over $74 million in humanitarian and development assistance to support regional responses to the migrant and refugee crisis.

Yemen

• Canada remains deeply concerned with the ongoing violence in Yemen, including in Ma’rib. We urge all parties to de-escalate hostilities, commit to a political dialogue, and halt the tragic loss of life.
• Since the start of the conflict in 2015, Canada has provided over $295 million in humanitarian funding for Yemen.
• Canada continues to call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and to comply fully with international human rights and humanitarian law.

Supplementary messages

• Canada supports the UN-led process initiated by US Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, which seeks to achieve a cessation of hostilities, and a political transition in Yemen based on principles of inclusivity and respect for human rights.
• We welcome Saudi Arabia’s recently announced peace initiative. Recent Houthis attacks in Yemen and beyond are deeply concerning.
• Canada’s activities in Yemen focus on diplomatic engagement and humanitarian assistance, as well as peacebuilding and stabilization programming.
• Canada is concerned about the disproportionate effects that the conflict continues to have on women and girls.

Update

Despite the UN Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire, efforts for a nationwide ceasefire in Yemen have not materialized. The security situation remains extremely concerning following a renewed escalation in violence since early 2020. The overall humanitarian situation is deteriorating due to the spread of COVID-19. UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths continues engaging in negotiations with the parties, though little progress has been made since the Stockholm Agreement in December 2018.

Supporting facts and figures

• On June 2, 2020, the UN and Saudi Arabia co-hosted the annual Yemen humanitarian pledging event virtually. Minister Gould represented Canada and announced Canada’s $40 million contribution for 2020. Canada’s funding to UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and NGOs will provide food, healthcare, clean water and sanitation.
• On March 1, 2021, the UN, Sweden and Switzerland co-hosted the annual Yemen humanitarian pledging event virtually. Minister Gould represented Canada and announced Canada’s $69.9 million contribution for 2021. Canada’s funding to UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and NGOs will provide food, healthcare, clean water and sanitation.
• According to the UN, at least 24.120.7 million people, more than two thirds of the population, need some kind of humanitarian or protection assistance.
• The COVID-19 crisis is expected to further exacerbate the already disproportionate impact of the conflict on women and girls, by reducing their ability to access essential services and health care, as well as increasing the risk of domestic sexual and gender-based violence.