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Minister of Foreign Affairs appearance before the Special Committee on Afghanistan (AFGH) on diplomacy and foreign policy

2022-05-02

Table of Contents

  1. Background Information
    1. Scenario Note
    2. Opening Remarks
    3. AFGH Member Biographies
    4. Questions for MINA on Afghanistan at CoW (December 2021)
  2. Notes
    1. Afghanistan Today: Political, Economic, Humanitarian & Security Context
    2. Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan: 2001 to 2021
    3. Engagement with the Taliban
    4. Humanitarian Response
    5. Closing the Embassy & Evacuation during fall of Kabul
    6. International Responses to the Crisis
    7. Sanctions & Criminal Code Listings
    8. Consular & Safe Passage Support
    9. Special Immigration Measures (SIMs) Referrals
    10. IRCC Special Immigration Programs (from IRCC)
    11. Military Evacuations (from DND)
    12. Afghan Resettlement (from PS/CBSA)
  3. Responsive Lines/Anticipatory Q&As
    1. Sanctions & Criminal Code Listings
    2. Special Immigration Measures (from IRCC)
    3. Re-engagement with Afghanistan
    4. Canada’s Legacy in Afghanistan
    5. American Decision to Withdraw Forces
    6. Comparisons of Allies’ Evacuation Policies
    7. Speed of Afghanistan Collapse
    8. Support for Women and Girls

Background Information

Scenario Note

Meeting scenario

In person

Virtually

Committee context

First Round

  • Conservative (6 minutes)
  • Liberal (6 minutes)
  • Bloc Québécois (6 minutes)
  • NDP (6 minutes)

Second Round

  • Conservative (5 minutes)
  • Liberal (5 minutes)
  • Bloc Québécois (2.5 minutes)
  • NDP (2.5 minutes)
  • Conservative (5 minutes)
  • Liberal (5 minutes)

Committee membership & interests

Opening Remarks

REMARKS
The Honourable Mélanie Joly Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada
Special committee on Afghanistan May 2, 2022

Good evening fellow parliamentarians.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this important discussion. I will speak for five minutes, and then I will be happy to answer your questions.

The Afghan people have endured decades of conflict and instability, and the difficulties of life there since the Taliban took power cannot be overstated.

Afghanistan is facing serious humanitarian and economic crises. The situation is dire for millions of Afghans.

Canada has been committed to Afghanistan and its people since the beginning of our mission there. That remains the case today.

Before I go into detail, I want to briefly acknowledge the tremendous efforts Canada made last summer to safely evacuate Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their families, and vulnerable Afghans.

Evacuation

The period leading up to the fall of Kabul by the Taliban last summer was a time of growing insecurity and uncertainty. Even as the Afghan Republic was in the midst of collapsing, critical decisions had to be made urgently and in the absence of “on-the-ground” intelligence.

By mid-July—a full month before the evacuation— all remaining allied military and intelligence assets in Afghanistan were confined to Kabul. Allied assets elsewhere across the country—which provided us with our “eyes and ears”—had been withdrawn. The challenge was compounded by a reduced Canadian staff footprint, due to the security situation as well as COVID-19. Staff were also having to prepare for the prospect of a temporary closure of our mission in Kabul as the Taliban moved towards the capital.

In July and into August, we implemented an immigration program for vulnerable Afghans and undertook a large scale evacuation. It was an extraordinarily complex, challenging task. Under intense pressure and uncertainty, Canada organized everything from verifying the identities of evacuees, marshalling people at the airport, testing for COVID-19 and handling baggage, and transporting evacuees on flights out of the country. All this while coordinating the shuttering of our embassy and ensuring the safety and security of our staff, assets and information.

Close collaboration between Global Affairs, DND, IRCC and others was critically important to the operation. Staff on the ground, at key missions abroad, and more than 600 employees at Global Affairs headquarters worked around the clock for weeks. The successful evacuation of 3,700 Afghans and Canadians—including all of our Locally Engaged Staff and their families—was nothing less than heroic.

Special immigration measures

Last summer, in recognition of the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Canada committed to resettle at least 40,000 vulnerable Afghan refugees under the Special Immigration Measures.

Of these, we plan to welcome 18,000 individuals and family members who have had a direct, significant and lasting relationship with Canada through their work with Global Affairs Canada or the Department of National Defence.

We have also established a humanitarian track to welcome Afghans in particularly vulnerable situations, including Afghan women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted religious and ethnic minorities, journalists, and LGBT2QI+ individuals.

We also opened a new pathway to permanent residency for extended family members of Afghan interpreters who previously came to Canada under the 2009 and 2012 public policies.

Interest in these programs has been unprecedented. Provinces and communities across the country have welcomed more than 11,500 Afghan refugees, with more flights arriving every week.

Consular services and safe passage

Getting people out of Afghanistan is not easy. The most difficult obstacles to overcome are the lack of safe, secure, and reliable routes out of the country; as well as the lack of stability and ever-changing exit requirements at checkpoints and international crossings.

Our regional missions are working with partners and friendly countries to overcome these obstacles and provide options for Afghans who want to come to Canada. Our High Commission in Islamabad also provides consular support to Canadians of Afghan origin.

Humanitarian aid

Even before the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation was among the world’s worst.

The Taliban takeover has only worsened the situation. It threatens to wipe away decades of progress. Basic services, financial systems and markets have all suffered, making life more difficult for vulnerable people.

Afghanistan teeters on the brink of universal poverty. We are particularly concerned about growing food insecurity throughout the country.

With Canada’s support, humanitarian partners are providing life-saving assistance.

So far this year, Canada has committed more than $143 million in humanitarian assistance to help people in Afghanistan and Afghans in neighbouring countries. This includes the $50 million announced at the end of March.

It is essential that humanitarian assistance be principled, needs-based and separate from political and security objectives. Canada understands this, and we call on the Taliban to ensure that aid workers - including women - have unimpeded access to those in need.

Human rights

We are working to ensure that the Taliban respect international humanitarian law and human rights— particularly the rights of women and girls, a top priority for Canada’s engagement on Afghanistan.

Canada is committed to supporting the rights of all Afghans, especially those of women and minorities.

Canada has been a leading advocate for a coordinated effort by the international community to pressure the Taliban to respect human rights. Canada is also exploring how to concretely continue our support for Afghan women and Afghan human rights defenders.

We are deeply concerned by growing reports of violence and human rights abuses.

Civilians, journalists, human rights defenders, government employees and former members of the Afghanistan National Defence and Security Forces are also being targeted.

Canada calls on the Taliban to honour their promise of amnesty.

We also cannot overstate Canada’s disappointment with the Taliban’s March 23rd decision to reverse their commitment to allow all girls to return to school at the secondary level.

The Taliban authorities must be held accountable by the international community. The violations of the rights of all Afghans must end immediately.

Related to this, Canada welcomes the strong human rights mandate of the UN Mission to Afghanistan following the Security Council’s renewal of the mission on March 17.

We also welcome the appointment of Richard Bennett as the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan

Engagement with the Taliban

As you know, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has profound implications for regional stability and for global security.

The Taliban is a listed terrorist entity under Canadian law. Because of this, coupled with a security situation on the ground which remains very volatile, Canada no longer has a footprint in Afghanistan.

David Sproule, our Senior Official for Afghanistan, is based in Doha, where he works with allies on the joint international response to the crisis.

He also meets with Taliban officials. During these meetings, he shares our priorities and conditions for engagement and assistance that goes beyond meeting basic human needs.

Terrorism

In order to build a stable, safe and democratic world, Canada needs to work with allies to strategically engage in fragile and challenging environments.

The fight against terrorism is a priority. We’re using all the tools at our disposal to ensure Afghanistan doesn’t become a safe haven for trans-national terrorists.

We’re also monitoring the Taliban’s role in the illicit drug trade.

The appointment of Richard Bennett as the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan.

Conclusion

In closing, I want to very clearly state that Canada remains committed to Afghanistan and the Afghan people who have built and accomplished so much over the course of the past twenty years.

Thank you all for your attention. With that, I will be pleased to take questions.

AFGH Member Biographies

Sukh Dhaliwal

(LPC – Surrey–Newton, BC)

Sukh Dhaliwal
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Mr. Dhaliwal is currently serving as the MP for Surrey-Newton. He has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN), the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) and the Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Mr. Dhaliwal was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006, where he served until he was defeated in 2011, however he returned to Parliament in October 2015. Prior to this, Mr. Dhaliwal was a small business owner and engineer, as well as an active community member in his hometown of Surrey, BC. He volunteered on the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Emergency Capital Campaign and as a member of the City of Surrey Parks and Community Services Committee. He obtained his BSc in civil engineering from Guru Nank Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, and his second BSc in geomatics engineering from the University of Calgary.

Issue Specific Background & Social Media

He has made no statements relating to Afghanistan during this, or the previous Parliament.

Mr. Dhaliwal’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned human rights (particularly religious freedoms), Indigenous reconciliation, citizenship and immigration, as well as public health He has also been active on Twitter, where he has tweeted, and re-tweeted fellow parliamentarians, particularly concerning religious holidays, Indigenous reconciliation and public health protocols.

Hon. Michael D. Chong, P.C.

(CPC—Wellington – Halton Hills, ON)

Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs

Hon. Michael D. Chong, P.C.
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Mr. Chong is currently serving as the Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs. MP Chong previously occupied the positions of 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), and the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
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 42nd 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 his BA in philosophy.

Issue Specific Background & Social media

Mr. Chong has made several statements on Afghanistan, most recently during the CPC Opposition Day on December 7, 2021. He is generally CRITICAL of the government’s response to the crisis, particularly the withdrawal of Canadian personnel, Afghan interpreters and their families, as well as the lack of foresight in planning and preparedness.

Mr. Chong’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned Canada-U.S. relations, China, human rights, Afghanistan, refugees and repatriation. He is very active on Twitter, tweeting and retweeting fellow parliamentarians on subjects such as China, the ongoing Uyghur genocide, Taiwan, the Israeli- Palestinian conflict and the democracy movement in Hong Kong. Finally, since his appointment 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).

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe

(BQ – Lac-Saint-Jean, QC)

Critic for Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees and Human Rights

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe is currently serving as the MP for Lac-Saint-Jean, as well as the BQ Critic for Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship and Human rights. He has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF), the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (CAPF), the Canada- China Legislative Association (CACN) and Canada-Italy Parliamentary Group (CAIT), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2019, and was subsequently re-elected in September 2021. Prior to his election, he was most recently employed by Resolute Forest Products (a Montreal pulp and paper manufacturer), after working for nearly twenty years in film production. He obtained his diploma in media art and technology from the Cégep de Jonquière. He is the son of former BQ Leader Gilles Duceppe.

Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe has made several statements on Afghanistan, most recently during the CPC Opposition Day on December 7, 2021. He is generally CRITICAL of the government’s response to the crisis, particularly concerning immigration, refugees and repatriation.

Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned foreign policy (China; Uighur, human rights), Canada-US relations, illegal immigration and the COVID-19 pandemic. He is very active on Twitter, mainly concerning foreign policy (specifically relating to China’s ongoing human rights violations), illegal immigration and Canada-US relations (concerning Quebec economic interests).

Jenny Kwan

(NDP – Vancouver East, BC)

Critic for Multiculturalism, Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees

Jenny Kwan
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Ms. Kwan is currently serving as the MP for Vancouver East, as well as the NDP Caucus Chair and Critic for Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees. She has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN) and the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CAJP).

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Ms. Kwan was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2015, and was subsequently re-elected in October 2019 and September 2021. Prior to her election to Parliament, she was a Member of the BC Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2015, having served in three NDP governments as Minister for Municipal Affairs, Women’s Equality and Community Development. She obtained her BA in criminology from Simon Fraser University.

Ms. Kwan has made several statements concerning Afghanistan during this Parliament, most recently on the CPC Opposition Day on December 7, 2021. She is generally CRITICAL of the government’s response to the crisis, particularly concerning immigration, refugees, repatriation and women’s rights.

Ms. Kwan’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned housing, Indigenous reconciliation, immigration, citizenship and refugees. She is very active on Twitter; where she tweeted about and advocated for a coordinated response to China’s actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, a national housing strategy/policy, U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber and greater action on Indigenous reconciliation.

Yvan Baker

(LPC — Etobicoke Centre, ON)

Yvan Baker
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Mr. Baker is currently serving as the MP for Etobicoke Centre. During the 43rd Parliament, he is a member of a few parliamentary associations and interparliamentary groups, such as the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN), the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), and the Canada- Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Mr. Baker was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2019, and was subsequently re-elected in September 2021. Prior to his career in politics, he had a large focus on business administration and management. Per MP Baker’s website, he has been involved in causes focusing on violence against women, and supporting emerging women leaders in Rwanda on multiple issues. He was previously awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He obtained his BBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire.

Mr. Baker has made no statement relating to Afghanistan during this, or the previous Parliament.

He has a relatively limited number of interventions in the House, in this and previous Parliaments. Mr. Baker’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned immigration, Ukraine, communism and Poland. He is active on Twitter, tweeting and retweeting fellow parliamentarians on subjects such as the condemnation of Russia’s treatment of Ukraine (MP Baker is Ukrainian), as well as Belarus’s brutal crackdown on protesters following the disputed recent presidential election. He also has been an advocate for establishing national standards for long-term care homes.

John Brassard

(CPC – Barrie-Innisfil, ON)

Official Opposition Critic for Ethics and Accountable Government

John Brassard
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Mr. Brassard is currently serving as the MP for Barrie-Innisfil, as well as the Official Opposition Critic for Ethics and Accountable Government. He previously served as a Member of the Joint Interparliamentary Council from September 2017 to September 2020 and the Official Opposition Deputy Whip from August 2017 to September 2020. He has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU), the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (CAIL), the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) and the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Mr. Brassard was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2015, and was subsequently re- elected in October 2019 and September 2021. Prior to his election to Parliament, he served on the Barrie City Council from November 2006 to November 2015. Mr. Brassard was a firefighter for 30 years and small business owner immediately preceding his election to council.

Issue Specific Background & Social Media

Mr. Brassard has made several statements concerning Afghanistan during this Parliament, most recently on the CPC Opposition Day on December 7, 2021. He is generally CRITICAL of the government’s response to the crisis, particularly concerning refugees, CAF veterans who were personally engaged in Kabul to assist Afghan interpreters/Canadian citizens, repatriation and the government’s unwillingness to disclose documentation relating to the crisis.

Mr. Brassard’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned government ethics and accountability, the government’s COVID-19 economic policies, and allegations of fraud. He is very active on Twitter; tweeting about and retweeting posts of other parliamentarians concerning government accountability, alleged fraud violations, his support for CAF veterans and their families, and foreign policy/national security specifically related to China.

Pam Damoff

(LPC – Oakville North-Burlington, ON)

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

Pam Damoff
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Ms. Damoff is currently serving as the MP for Oakville North-Burlington, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety. She was previously the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services from December 2019 to August 2021, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Heath from February 2019 to September 2019. She has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF), the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN), the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS), and Member of the Executive of the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Ms. Damoff was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2015, and was subsequently re- elected in October 2019 and September 2021. Prior to her election to Parliament, she served on the Oakville Town Council from December 2010 to October 2015. Prior to elected office, Ms. Damoff worked for 25 years in the financial industry, as well as over a decade in self-employment as a consultant. She obtained her BA from the University of Western Ontario (UWO).

Issue Specific Background & Social Media

Ms. Damoff has made no statement relating to Afghanistan in this, or the previous Parliament.

Ms. Damoff’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned public safety (specifically gun control and sentencing), climate change and Indigenous reconciliation. She is active on Twitter; tweeting and re- tweeting fellow parliamentarians on public safety, sentencing and prison reform, indigenous reconciliation, violence against women and women’s rights.

Fayçal El-Khoury

(LPC – Laval-Les ÎLes)

Fayçal El-Khoury
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Mr. El-Khoury is currently serving as the MP for Laval-Les-Îles. He has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS), and as a Member of the Executive of the Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (CAFR).

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Mr. El-Khoury was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2015, and was subsequently re- elected in October 2019 and September 2021. Prior to his election to Parliament, he was a business consultant with a focus on the Middle East. An engineer by training, Mr. El-Khoury founded and operated his own construction company in his home of Laval, QB. He obtained his degree in civil engineering from Concordia University.

Issue Specific Background & Social Media

Mr. El-Khoury has made no statement relating to Afghanistan in this, or the previous Parliament.

He has a relatively limited number of interventions in the House, in this and previous Parliaments. Mr. El-Khoury’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned public health/immunization, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He has a limited social media presence; while he uses Twitter he predominantly retweets fellow parliamentarians on subjects such as public health measures, the COVID-19 pandemic, Quebec affairs (particularly economic related), small businesses and climate change.

Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C.

(CPC – South Surrey-White Rock, BC)

Official Opposition Critic for National Defence

Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C.
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Ms. Findlay is currently serving as the MP for South Surrey-White Rock, as well as the Official Opposition Critic for National Defence. She previously served as the Minister for National Revenue from July 2013 to November 2015, the Associate Minister of National Defence from February 2013 to July 2013 and the Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Justice from May 2011 to February 2013. She has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN), the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (CAIL), the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM), and the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (SECO), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Ms. Findlay was first elected to the House of Commons in May 2011, until her defeat in October 2015. She subsequently returned to Parliament in October 2019 and was re-elected in September 2021. A lawyer by training, Ms. Findlay has worked in the Vancouver area in civil litigation, mediation, and family and employment law, amongst others, for over 30 years. She was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1999, and served on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal from 2006 to 2011. She was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Service to Canada in 2012. She obtained her BA in history and political, as well as her JD from the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Issue Specific Background & Social Media

Ms. Findlay has made several statements concerning Afghanistan during this Parliament, most recently on the CPC Opposition Day on December 7, 2021. She is generally CRITICAL of the government’s response to the crisis, particularly concerning the lack of preparedness and planning, refugees and repatriation, and the lack of military hardware and assets that required Canada to rely on the US military and others.

Ms. Findlay’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned national defence and foreign policy (particularly relating to NATO, Russia and Ukraine), refugees and repatriation, and international cooperation. She is very active on Twitter; tweeting a retweeting fellow parliamentarians on subjects including national defence and foreign policy (particularly relating to Afghanistan, China, NATO, and Russia, among others), public safety and national security (such as terrorism and Huawei/5G), and economic matters and affordability.

Jasraj Singh Hallan

(CPC – Calgary Forest Lawn, AB)

Official Opposition Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Jasraj Singh Hallan
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Mr. Singh Hallan is currently serving as the MP for Calgary Forest Lawn, as well as the Official Opposition Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. He has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF), the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CAJP), and as a Member of the Executive of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Mr. Singh Hallan was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2019, and was subsequently re- elected in September 2021. Prior to his election to Parliament, he was a small business owner, and operated a home construction business in the Calgary area. He obtained a degree in accounting from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).

Issue Specific Background & Social Media

Mr. Singh Hallan has made several statements concerning Afghanistan during this Parliament, most recently on the CPC Opposition Day on December 7, 2021. He is generally CRITICAL of the government’s response to the crisis, particularly concerning refugees, repatriation, human rights (religious and women’s rights), and the backlogs in bureaucracy that have caused delays.

Mr. Singh Hallan’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned Afghanistan, refugees and repatriation, citizenship and immigration, bureaucratic backlogs, and Canada-U.S. relations. He is very active on Twitter; tweeting and re-tweeting fellow parliamentarians on subjects such as immigration and citizenship (backlogs and reform), Afghanistan (refugees and repatriation), veterans affairs, and religious rights.

Maninder Sidhu

(LPC – Brampton East, ON)

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Maninder Sidhu
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Mr. Sidhu is currently serving as the MP for Brampton East, as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was previously the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development from March 2021 to August 2021. He has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF), the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU), the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), and the Canada-United Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships
Background

Mr. Sidhu was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2019, and was subsequently re-elected in September 2021. Prior to his election to Parliament, he was a small business owner in the customs brokerage industry. He also founded The Kindness Movement, a registered not-for-profit that that supports students in both Canada and India. He was educated at the University of Waterloo.

Issue Specific Background & Social Media

Mr. Sidhu has made no statement relating to Afghanistan in this, or the previous Parliament.

He has a relatively limited number of interventions in the House, in this and previous Parliaments. Mr. Sidhu’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned foreign policy (the Indo-Pacific region), the COVID-19 pandemic, international development and aid, public transit/electric vehicles and international trade. He is active on Twitter; tweeting and retweeting fellow parliamentarians on subjects such as public health/COVID-19, international development, childcare and affordability, and Afghanistan (specifically regarding refugees and repatriation).

Salma Zahid

(LPC – Scarborough Centre, ON)

Salma Zahid
Key Interests
Parliamentary Roles

Ms. Zahid is currently serving as the MP for Scarborough Centre. She has been a member of several parliamentary associations and inter-parliamentary groups such as the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF), the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), and a Member of the Executive of the Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (CADE), and the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships

February 2020 – August 2021

Background

Ms. Zahid was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2015, and was subsequently re-elected in October 2019 and September 2021. Prior to her election to Parliament, she was a public servant in the Government of Ontario and a community organizer, and was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Meritorious Community Service in 2012. She obtained her MA in educational management from the Institute of Education at the University of London, and her MBA from Quaid e Azam University in Pakistan.

Issue Specific Background & Social Media

Ms. Zahid has made several statements concerning Afghanistan during this Parliament, most recently on the CPC Opposition Day on December 7, 2021. As a member of the governing party, she is generally SUPPORTIVE of the government’s response to the crisis, particularly concerning the number of Afghan refugees already settled in Canada (including those especially vulnerable; LGBT, women, children, and ethnic/religious minorities), the effort of the public service in addressing the crisis as well as the government’s target of 40,000 refugees.

Ms. Zahid’s most recent statements in Parliament concerned affordable housing, Afghanistan (refugees, repatriation and immigration), and human/civil rights. She is active on Twitter; tweeting and re-tweeting fellow parliamentarians on subjects such as citizenship and immigration, the resettlement of refugees, human rights and religious freedoms (particularly in relation to Bill 21 in Quebec) and affordable housing.

Afghanistan-Related Questions at Committee of the Whole for MINA December 7, 2021

  1. MP Chong (CPC): Afghanistan: Qatar has a unique and special relationship with the Taliban – has the government demarched with the state of Qatar to request that they intervene with the Taliban to allow persecuted minorities and Afghans that have assisted Canadian soldiers, to leave the country?
    • Qatar has played an important role in evacuating refugees and staff from Afghanistan.
    • During bilateral meetings over the past many months, Canada has asked Qatar, at every opportunity, to pressure the Taliban on safe passage of vulnerable Afghans.
  2. (IRCC Lead) MP Singh Hallan (CPC): Afghanistan: Plan to evacuate 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada. What is the plan to bring the remaining Afghan refugees to Canada? Applicants to the Special Immigration Measures only receive automated responses. When will all 40,000 refugees be brought into Canada?
    • The Government of Canada is focused on resettling Afghan nationals, not administering evacuations, however, our efforts have been met with significant challenges. We are navigating an extremely challenging environment, one in which the Government of Canada has no military or diplomatic presence.
    • Afghanistan is currently under Taliban control. The Taliban is a listed terrorist entity under Canadian law, making both it unrecognizable as a legitimate governing body, and illegal to fund either directly or indirectly. Given this, and given the significant security concerns for both clients and Government of Canada employees, we no longer have a footprint in Afghanistan.
    • Our lack of presence in Afghanistan at the current time is creating significant obstacles to the application process and travel arrangements for Afghan nationals wishing to leave the country to resettle in Canada. Although we are currently unable to process files to completion for those clients while they remain in Afghanistan, the Government of Canada continues to explore avenues to facilitate the process.
    • Our current advice to clients still in Afghanistan is to shelter in place, however, we understand that people may have to make the choice to displace themselves for their safety.
    • The Government of Canada continues working to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals to Canada as quickly and safely as possible, and we have implement pathways to assist with this: including:
      • Special Immigration Measures for Afghan nationals and their families who were integral to Canada’s effort in Afghanistan;
      • Humanitarian program focused on Afghan nationals outside of Afghanistan, without a durable solution in a third country, and belonging to a vulnerable group such as:
        • women leaders
        • human rights defenders
        • persecuted religious or ethnic minorities
        • LGBTI individuals
        • journalists and those who helped Canadian journalists;
      • Extended Family public policy creates a pathway for extended family members of those former Afghan interpreters who previously immigrated to Canada under programs in 2009 and 2012; and
      • Family sponsorship – IRCC is prioritizing family sponsorship applications by Canadians, permanent residents and protected persons in Canada in the process of sponsoring their immediate family members who are in Afghanistan.
  1. MP Singh Hallan (CPC): Afghanistan: Vulnerable groups (religious minority groups, women’s rights leaders, LGBTQ+ community) have sought shelter in safe houses but they are running out of funds. Will the government be providing support to these safe houses?
    • The Government of Canada is currently developing and assessing options for the support of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, in consideration of the constraints imposed by the possibility of indirectly funding the Taliban via payments to these organizations.
      • Canada has provided funding to Journalists for Human Rights, Veterans Transition Network and Aman Lara to support their efforts to protect vulnerable persons in Afghanistan, including human rights defenders, women peacebuilders, former Canadian Armed Forces interpreters and locally engaged staff. The Government of Canada continues to work closely with these organizations regarding the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
      • Canada continues to have discussions with allies and countries in the region to explore avenues to assist those who remain on the ground, as well as those who have already travelled to third countries and wish to come to Canada. Canada is deploying its full diplomatic weight through a variety of channels including through the G7, Five Country forums and the United Nations. The Government of Canada is closely monitoring the situation on the ground and remains committed to responding to the needs of the people of Afghanistan
  1. (IRCC Lead) MP Singh Hallan (CPC): Afghanistan: How many Afghan interpreters applied for refugee status before Kabul fell? How many have settled since Kabul fell?
    • IRCC is unable to provide this number; interpreters would most likely have come via a variety of referral sources (US, GAC, DND/CAF, etc.); however, IRCC’s application processing system for these clients does not ask for their profession.
  1. MP Pierre Paul-Hus (CPC): Relationship with the United States: Does Canada have good relations with the United States? Does this mean we share information? Can the Minister confirm that the government knew when the Americans were going to leave Afghanistan? Was the Minister involved/did she know the Americans were going to leave Afghanistan months beforehand?
    • Canadian and American cooperation is extensive and have maintained a good cooperative relationship with the United States, throughout the engagement in Afghanistan.
    • Canadians and Americans have fought and died together in Afghanistan. On April 14, 2021, President Biden publically announced plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan before the 20th anniversary of September 11. The Minister of Foreign Affairs discusses with their American counterpart on a regular basis, including concerning Afghanistan.
  1. (IRCC Lead) MP Pierre Paul-Hus (CPC): Afghanistan: How many Canadians were left in Afghanistan after August 31? 1290/1280 Canadians are still there. Do we know how many interpreters are still stuck in Afghanistan or Pakistan waiting for their turn?
    • The number of interpreters remaining in Afghanistan or Pakistan is not known. Interpreters were referred via a variety of referral sources (US, UNHCR, etc..) and IRCC’s processing system does not ask for profession.
    • As of February 28, 1,396 consular clients have landed in Canada through chartered and commercial flights.
  1. (IRCC Lead) MP Pierre Paul-Hus (CPC): Afghanistan: The government has decided on 40,000 Afghans coming to Canada. Why is that the number? Do we have the resources in Canada to welcome 40,000 Afghans? When will the 40,000 arrive in Canada?
    • Resettlement planning for at least 40,000 Afghans is being done in concert with IRCC’s annual levels planning, ongoing discussions with Canada’s provinces and territories, and planning around additional supports to ensure that the resources are indeed available. As well, IRCC’s ability to resettle Afghans in Canada will necessarily take into account the capacity of our settlement organizations and the current shortage of affordable housing Canada.
    • The Government of Canada remains firm in its commitment to welcome at least 40,000 refugees and vulnerable Afghans to Canada. Between August 31-February 20, more than 7,885 persons have arrived in Canada, by various programs made developed for this purpose.
    • Under the Special Immigration Program for Afghans, 14,835 applications have been received, of which 10,015 have been approved and 4,600 have arrived in Canada. Under the Humanitarian program, 3,285 Afghans have arrived.
  1. MP Pierre Paul-Hus (CPC): Afghanistan: How many Canadians are imprisoned by the Taliban?
    • GAC has no information to suggest there are any Canadians currently detained in Afghanistan.
  1. (IRCC Lead) MP Pierre Paul-Hus (CPC): Afghanistan: Why has the refugee program changed its criteria saying that there is a difference between those inside and outside of Afghanistan?
    • Canada’s Refugee Program is legally and operationally designed to address the needs of refugees outside of their country of origin, consistent with the 1951 Refugee Convention.
    • Given this unique and urgent situation, the Government of Canada has had to be responsive, innovative and flexible, including with the creation of public policies to rapidly assist at-risk Afghans. IRCC’s website is comprehensive and provides all the information required for applicants.
    • Canada’s efforts to process those remaining inside Afghanistan, to come to Canada, are constrained on various fronts; safe travel arrangements and a safe third country between Afghanistan and Canada, and our inability to complete the required security screening processes prior to persons departing Afghanistan.
    • IRCC continues to explore all avenues in an effort to overcome these obstacles, and has recently introduced an enhanced biographics program which may be conducted from inside Afghanistan. Applicants who complete this program without a finding requiring more thorough investigation become eligible for travel facilitation (as is possible) to a safe third country.
    • Despite these complexities, the Government of Canada remains firm in its commitment and is actively advancing the safe arrival of at least 40,000 Afghan nationals.
  1. MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay (CPC): Afghanistan: Dialogue in the last 3 months with the Taliban government with regards to the release of our Afghan friends and allies?
    • David Sproule, Canada’s Senior Official for Afghanistan, is based in Doha where he coordinates with allies on a joint international response to the crisis in Afghanistan.
    • Discussions and developments are moving at a rapid pace and it is vital to Canadian interests that Canada be a part of those discussions, many of which involve like-minded and other key stakeholders. 18 like-minded countries, plus the EU, have representatives for Afghanistan based in Doha.
    • Canada meets informally with Taliban officials in Doha to advocate for Canada’s priorities.
    • Canada will continue to deliver clear, coordinated messaging to the Taliban and continue to negotiate aggressively to protect the gains Afghans have made over the past 20 years. We continue to call on the Taliban to respect its international human rights obligations and are deploying our full diplomatic weight through a variety of channels to ensure that the Taliban respect their commitment to allow safe passage out of the country for Canadians, foreign nationals and vulnerable Afghans.
  1. MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay (CPC): Afghanistan: Who are the government’s regional partners?
    • Canada discusses the situation Afghanistan with a broad range of regional actors, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, India, and more.
    • During the evacuation, Canada partnered with Qatar and Pakistan as key regional players to allow Canadians and Canada’s Afghan partners to be evacuated safely.
    • The international community has reached a strong consensus on Afghanistan, although coordination remains challenging. None have recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government. All, including Afghanistan’s neighbours and friends in the Gulf/the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, have rallied around counter-terrorism, women’s rights and inclusive governance. This is in no small part due to our collective efforts.
    • The Government of Canada continues to work with our traditional partners for this type of initiative, including the International Organization for Migration and UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
    • We are also developing and partnering with a network of new partners, including Aman Lara, Front Line Defender, Veteran’s Transition Network, etc. These organizations are assisting us with the facilitation of movement of Afghan persons wishing to resettle in Canada.

Notes

Afghanistan Today: Political, Economic, Humanitarian & Security

Update

The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. The overall situation is deteriorating, with a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis, and an increase in political repression and human rights violations, including a media crackdown and banning girls’ secondary education. The security situation remains stable, overall.

Background

Political situation: The Taliban are struggling to transform themselves into an organization capable of governing a country. The Taliban’s interim Cabinet was announced in September 2021 and is comprised mostly of sanctioned hardline religious and military Pashtun figures. Its Cabinet and ministries excludes women and largely exclude members of other ethnic groups.

Economic situation: The short term economic outlook for Afghanistan is highly pessimistic. The UNDP forecasts that Afghanistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) will contract by 20% within a year following Taliban takeover, and the decline is expected to worsen by 30% in the following years. Inflation, the price of basic goods and unemployment continue to rise exponentially. The World Bank data indicates that the Afghan currency has appreciated up to 13% against the US dollar. Poverty has become near universal, projected to hit 97% next year. The shrinking Afghan economy, the loss of international development assistance, and the continuation of sanctions against the Taliban will likely push more people toward illegal activities.

Humanitarian situation: The economic crisis and global pandemic, are contributing to a rapidly worsening humanitarian situation, though a larger crisis is believed to have been averted thanks to a very significant humanitarian assistance response by the international community in 2021. It is projected that over 24 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2022, compared to 18.4 million in 2021. In particular, Afghans continue to experience increased food insecurity and significant protection needs. If left unresolved, it could result in increased migration to neighbouring countries.

Security situation: Overall, the security situation remains stable. Taliban counter- terrorism efforts have been successful at preventing large-scale attacks since November 2021. However, smaller attacks from various groups against the Taliban are increasing throughout the country. Al-Qaeda has become more active in Afghanistan and the Taliban have shown little desire to contain them. There has also been an alarming rise of forced disappearances and arrests, especially of human rights activists and media workers. There is a high risk of Afghanistan becoming, once again, a haven for transnational terrorists and remaining a source of illicit drugs.

Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan: 2001 to 2021

Supplementary messages

MINA’s Engagement

Background

Development Assistance

Since 2001, Canada has provided nearly $3.7 billion in international assistance to the country. Afghanistan has been Canada’s largest bilateral country program for several years, with a $90 million annual allocation of development assistance. Canada made substantial contributions through development and humanitarian assistance, military support, police training, rule of law reform, demining, public financial management and reform, service delivery, human rights and women’s rights advocacy, and diplomatic engagement with Afghan leaders and the international community. Canada, along with other donors and the Afghan Government, contributed to fundamental changes in Afghan society, including a major expansion of primary education enrolment rates for girls, improvements in health care and immunization, a fourteen-year increase in life expectancy, a vibrant and open media, the formation and strengthening of state security forces and the establishment of democratic institutions.

All Canadian development assistance is delivered through third parties (trust funds or trusted implementing partners). Following the Taliban takeover, most international assistance programs in Afghanistan were paused by partners, with the exception of humanitarian assistance., Canada is assessing options with regards to programming and some existing development assistance has been able to resume.

Humanitarian Assistance

Canada has allocated $143 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs of vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries in 2022. This includes $50 million announced on March 31, 2022, at the international pledging conference. Canada is supporting a multi-sectoral humanitarian response across Afghanistan, including a particular emphasis on the provision of life-saving food and nutrition assistance. Canada’s total contribution in humanitarian assistance was $133M for 2021.

Security Assistance

Canada contributed over $600 million in bilateral security support to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. Security sector support was provided through the NATO- managed Afghanistan National Army Trust Fund and the UNDP-managed Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan. Both of these trust funds have paused all operations since the Taliban takeover and are in the process of closing down. 40,000 Canadians served in the NATO mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014, making it the largest Canadian military deployment since the World War II. 158 Canadian Forces members and one Canadian diplomat died during this time.

Engagement with the Taliban

Supplementary messages

Background

On August 15, 2021, the Government of Canada announced that it had temporarily suspended operations at the Canadian Embassy in Kabul due to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, which posed serious challenges to our ability to ensure the safety and security of our mission and mission personnel. The Canadian embassy will resume its operations when security and political conditions in Afghanistan permit.

Canada does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan. The Taliban remain a listed terrorist entity under Canadian law. Canada expects any government of Afghanistan to fulfill its obligations to uphold the human rights of all its citizens, as required by international law.

Canada engages the Taliban informally through our Senior Official for Afghanistan, appointed in August 2021 and based in Doha, Qatar. Discussions and developments continue to move at a rapid pace and it is vital to Canadian interests that Canada be part of these ongoing discussions, many of which involve like-minded and other key stakeholders.

Canada engages the Taliban informally to convey key messages: calling on the Taliban to ensure safe passage of Canadians, foreign nationals and Afghans approved through our Special Immigration Program; to ensure timely humanitarian access to mitigate a humanitarian and refugee crisis; to respect its international human rights obligations, including the protection of fundamental rights of women, girls and other vulnerable groups; to form an inclusive and representative government; and, to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe- haven for terrorism.

Canada’s development assistance in Afghanistan has been explicitly framed within the Feminist International Assistance Policy. Following the Taliban takeover, much of the international community, including Canada, paused most international assistance programs in Afghanistan. In response to the humanitarian crisis, Canada significantly increased its humanitarian assistance support, announcing $143 million in assistance in 2022. Consideration of future development assistance that goes beyond meeting basic human needs of the Afghan people will be weighed against the Taliban’s actions to adhere to and protect the fundamental rights of all its citizens, and form an inclusive and representative government.

Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan

Supplementary messages

Supporting facts and figures

Background

Prior to the Taliban takeover in August, 18.4 million people in Afghanistan were in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. The scale of humanitarian needs is increasing, and it estimated that 24 million Afghans will require humanitarian assistance in 2022.

Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan cut across all sectors, with food and nutrition, and protection needs of particular concern. Needs have typically been driven by conflict, drought, COVID-19, food insecurity and displacement. The ongoing economic challenges inside Afghanistan risk further exacerbating the vulnerability of those in need of assistance.

Canada has supported a multi-sectoral humanitarian response across Afghanistan, including a particular emphasis on the provision of life-saving food and nutrition assistance. In 2022, Canada has allocated a total $143 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries. This includes the additional $50 million announced on March 31, 2022.

Closing the Embassy & Evacuation during fall of Kabul

Supplementary messages

Supporting facts and figures

International Responses to the Crisis in Afghanistan

Supplementary messages

Background

Following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul on August 15, 2021, Canada and allies closed embassies in Kabul due to the deteriorating security situation. Eighteen likeminded countries, as well as the EU, now have representatives for Afghanistan based in Doha, where they coordinate on a joint international response to the crisis in Afghanistan and engage informally with the Taliban. The EU, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Norway and Japan have undertaken brief visits to Kabul to meet with the Taliban. Many regional countries maintain embassies in Kabul, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Pakistan, China and Turkey. The EU has reopened minimal operations in Kabul to support the coordination and delivery of humanitarian aid.

Overall, while there are predictable geo-strategic divisions, there is general agreement within the international community on the importance of humanitarian access; inclusive governance; respect for women and girls’ rights; stability, countering and controlling irregular migration and narcotics flow; and, counter- terrorism. International donors are considering how to apply values-based conditionality to development assistance. European partners, in particular, are concerned with counter-terrorism and irregular migration and are generally more inclined to engage with the Taliban and provide support to basic needs beyond humanitarian assistance.

The 2022 Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan and the Afghanistan Situation Regional Refugee Response Plan were officially launched by the UN on January 11, 2022; combined, the plans request over USD 5 billion.

At the pledging conference to support the Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan co-hosted by the UN, UK, Germany and Qatar on 31 March 2022, donor countries and agencies pledged a total of USD 2.44 billion. Canada announced an additional $50 million to the humanitarian response in Afghanistan, bringing Canada’s total commitment in 2022 to CAD 143M. These commitments fall more than US$2 billion short of UN appeals for over USD 5 billion towards the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for 2022.

In 2021, the UN's Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Afghanistan, including a September 2021 Flash Appeal, requested nearly US$1.5 billion and intended to reach 17.7 million Afghans. Top donors included the US, Germany, the EU and the UK. Canada was the 8th largest single-country donor to the plan, with a total commitment of CA$133M.

Following the Taliban takeover, most like-minded countries paused their bilateral aid programs beyond humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. There are, however, instances of commitment to longer-term development cooperation. Likewise, the World Bank-administered Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, to which Canada and many likeminded countries are donors, is resuming some support to education, health, agriculture and livelihoods.

In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, the UN Security Council passed a temporary exemption on UNSC sanctions on December 22, 2021, allowing humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs to continue unimpeded. On 17 March 2022, the UNSC extended UNAMA´s mandate until March 17, 2023. The renewal preserved important elements, including on human rights monitoring and reporting and continued efforts on gender equality, and included new language on coordination of donors for basic human needs.

Sanctions & Criminal Code Listings

Supplementary messages

Background

UN Sanctions: Canada implements its UN obligations related to the Taliban through the United Nations Act and the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Regulations (UNAQTR). The UNAQTR prohibit Canadians from dealing in the assets of specified persons associated with the Taliban (‘listed persons’); from making property or financial services available to listed persons; and from supplying selling or transferring arms and technical assistance to them. Penalties for offences may include fines of up to $100,000 or up to ten years’ imprisonment.

Exemption certificates to these prohibitions may be issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, when deemed justified, or when the exemption has received advance approval from the UN Security Council (UNSC). In December, the UNSC passed a resolution creating a new exemption for humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs from sanctions imposed by the UN related to the Taliban.

Criminal Code: The Taliban is considered a terrorist group under Canadian domestic law.. The Criminal Code carries a wide range of prohibitions and significant consequences to deter terrorist activity in Canada, or support from Canada. The Criminal Code applies to all persons in Canada, as well as Canadian citizens living abroad. International organizations are generally not subject to Canadian Criminal Code jurisdiction, except with regard to their operations in Canada.

Under Canadian domestic law, it is a crime to directly or indirectly, collect property, provide, invite a person to provide, or make available property (including funding) or financial or other related services, knowing that, in whole or in part, they will be used by, or will benefit a terrorist group. A terrorist group is defined (in Criminal Code) either as: (i) an entity that has as one of its purposes or activities facilitating or carrying out any terrorist activity, or (ii) a listed entity, and includes an association of such entities.

There is currently no existing mechanism to provide exemptions from the anti-terrorism prohibitions of paragraph 83.03(b) for humanitarian or any other activity.

Humanitarian Assistance: In 2022, Canada has allocated over $143 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries – includes $50 million announced on March 31, 2022.

Canada has found ways to deliver on its humanitarian assistance and some development commitments through experienced international humanitarian organizations, such as United Nations agencies and the ICRC, and has strong counter-terrorism provisions in its arrangements with its organizations. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with its organizations to ensure programming is designed to avoid the provision of direct or indirect benefits – such as monetary benefits - to terrorist groups. This could include the funding of select activities, inclusion of explicit taxation provision in arrangements and additional assurances that Canadian funds will not be used to support activities that are subject to taxation, which could be directed toward the Taliban-controlled Government of Afghanistan. However, these measures cannot be applied to Canadian NGOs as they are subject to Canadian law and no mitigation or exemption measures exist.

Consular & Safe Passage Support

Afghanistan: consular response

Supplementary messages

Supporting facts and figures

Afghanistan: safe passage

Background

Special Immigration Measures: GAC Referrals

Background

Supporting facts and figures

IRCC Special Immigration Programs

Supplementary messages

Supporting facts and figures

Background

Special Immigration Measures (SIMs) were implemented in July 2021 for locally engaged staff at the Canadian Embassy to Afghanistan and for individuals who had a significant and/or enduring relationship to the Government of Canada, including their family members.

Both Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defense are responsible for identifying individuals who meet the criteria of having a significant and/or enduring relationship to the Government of Canada. Individuals cannot apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under these measures.

Afghans resettled via SIMs are entitled to receive immediate and essential services, income support, and Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage through Canada’s resettlement programs.

Extended family members of previously resettled Interpreters

IRCC has introduced a pathway to permanent residence for extended family members of former Afghan interpreters who came to Canada under programs in 2009 and 2012.

These earlier policies supported Afghans working for Canada and their immediate families, in recognition of the risk they faced by supporting Canada’s mission in Kandahar. Some extended family members may have come to Canada through existing programs over the years, however, others have not and may now be in a precarious position as a result of their relationship to the interpreters.

This program opened on December 9, 2021.

Humanitarian Program

On August 13, 2021, IRCC announced a Humanitarian Program to resettle vulnerable and at-risk groups, including women, LGBTQI people, human rights defenders, journalists and members of religious and ethnic minorities.

This program includes both government-assisted refugees (GAR) and privately sponsored refugees (PSR) spaces.

IRCC relies on referral partners to identify individuals for GAR spaces. Besides traditional referral partners such as the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), IRCC has signed agreements with the United States (U.S.), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Front Line Defenders and ProtectDefenders.eu for the resettlement of Afghan nationals. Front Line Defenders and ProtectDefenders.eu have been referring Afghan human rights defenders in need of protection.

Referrals are already being received from the U.S., NATO and Front Line Defenders.

GARs and PSRs are entitled to receive immediate and essential services, income support, and Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage through Canada’s resettlement programs. Private sponsors play an important role in assisting sponsored refugees in settling into their life in Canada and financially supporting them.

As part of the humanitarian program for Afghan nationals, more than 4000 have arrived in Canada, as of April 2022.

Military Evacuations: Operation AEGIS

Key facts

Afghan Resettlement—CBSA Efforts

Issue: On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, creating a complex political, security and humanitarian crisis. In response, the Government of Canada has announced that 40,000 eligible Afghan refugees will be accepted under three programs by March 2023. Canada’s unprecedented and accelerated efforts under the special immigration measures program, Operation Safe Haven and the Humanitarian Program has led to the evacuation of thousands of Afghan nationals under exceptional circumstances, many of whom have already arrived in Canada.

Proposed Response:

Security screening measures taken:

Inadmissibility cases:

Background:

On July 22, 2021, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced special immigration measures for Afghanistan nationals who are at risk due to their work supporting Canadian missions in Afghanistan.

The Government of Canada has announced that 40,000 eligible Afghan refugees will be accepted under three programs by March 2023.

There are three measures in the special immigration measures program. The first facilitates the resettlement of the families of locally engaged staff at Canada’s embassy in Afghanistan. IRCC has indicated that 300 people are covered by this measure.

The second measure facilitates the resettlement of former locally engaged staff, interpreters, drivers, and others with a “significant and/or enduring” relationship to the Government of Canada and their families, referred to IRCC by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Department of National Defence (DND). IRCC indicated 5,000 individuals are covered by this special measure.

The final special immigration measure is a two-year humanitarian resettlement strategy, ending December 31, 2023, for 15,000 Afghan nationals who are fleeing Afghanistan to third-party countries. It will include:

Responsive Lines/Anticipatory Q&As

Special Committee on Afghanistan – Sanctions/Criminal Code Q&A

  1. How has Canada’s domestic counter-terrorism legislation impacted Canada’s ability to support the delivery of humanitarian aid?
    • Canada remains deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and is keenly aware of the critical importance of facilitating assistance to address the life-saving needs of vulnerable Afghans.
    • Although the Taliban has taken over as the de facto government of Afghanistan, it remains a terrorist group and is a listed terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code creates a wide range of terrorism related offences, including offences relating to the financing of terrorist groups and terrorist entities.
    • The takeover of Afghanistan and its governmental institutions by the Taliban – a terrorist group – makes it more complex to carry out humanitarian and development activities in the country. Both Canada and its implementing partners need to carefully assess activities to ensure that Canadian funding does not inadvertently directly or indirectly benefit the Taliban.
    • To avoid the risk of any Canadian funds benefitting the Taliban, the Department scrutinizes programming activities and works closely with our partners to put in place measures to mitigate that risk.
    • The need for mitigation measures imposes some constraints on activities the Government is able to support, and the organisations with which the Government of Canada can work.
  1. On March 31, Canada announced an additional $50 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. How is the Government of Canada able to continue providing aid to Afghanistan, when some Canadian NGOs have had to pause their activities due to concern over the counter-terrorism provisions in the Criminal Code?
    • Like all Canadians, the Government of Canada must conduct its activities in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Criminal Code.International organizations are generally not subject to Canadian Criminal Code jurisdiction, except with regard to their operations in Canada.
    • The Government of Canada continues to deliver humanitarian assistance through well-established humanitarian organizations, such as UN agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Canada’s UN partners have well-established and flexible operating modalities that facilitate their continued ability to deliver in the evolving context and within existing constraints.
    • We are actively engaged with these partners to ensure that Canadian programming dollars do not provide any direct or indirect benefits to terrorist groups.
    • Canada has taken a number of measures to mitigate the risk that the provision of aid may benefit the Taliban. These measures may, depending on the circumstances, include contractual provisions, other forms of assurances, and operational arrangements. All of these are intended to reduce any possibility that Canadian funds benefit the Taliban.
    • That said, the need for mitigation measures imposes serious constraints on humanitarian activities that the Government is able to support, and the organizations with which Canada is able to partner.
  1. Can the Government of Canada engage with the Taliban, despite the group being listed as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code?
    • Yes. The Criminal Code prohibits the provision of property, financial or other related services knowing that it will benefit a terrorist group.
    • Similar to likeminded partners, Canada engages the Taliban informally through our Senior Official for Afghanistan, based in Doha.
    • Canada engages the Taliban informally to convey key messages including our expectations regarding safe passage and that the Taliban must respect its international human rights obligations.
    • Canada has no plans to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan.
  1. The US has provided licenses to authorize humanitarian assistance and other activities to support the people of Afghanistan, exempting these activities from its sanctions regime. Can Canada provide a similar exemption to Canadian NGOs and financial institutions with respect to our sanctions and Criminal Code provisions?
    • The Criminal Code does not include any provisions for exemptions from the counter-terrorism prohibitions in question.
    • Responsive if UNAQTR is raised: The Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Taliban, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida (UNAQTR) is a separate instrument by which Canada implements its UN obligation to sanction certain listed individuals and entities.
    • These regulations allow the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue certificates to exempt activities that are deemed justified and which are approved by the United Nations Security Council. However, such certificates enable activities that would otherwise violate the Regulations implementing UN sanctions, and they do not change the applicability of the Criminal Code to Canadian aid activities in Afghanistan.
  1. We have heard that Canadian organizations need certainty with regard to criminal liability in order to continue their operations in Afghanistan and to have financial institutions process transfers. What is the Government of Canada doing to address this problem for Canadian NGOs wanting to assist the people of Afghanistan?
    • The Government of Canada is seized with this issue. This is an unprecedented scenario and we continue to explore options as the situation develops.
    • We are also engaged with likeminded states that are working to address the needs of the people of Afghanistan to benefit from their experience and discuss how we can work together to further our shared objectives.
  1. There are reports that the Taliban has been diverting aid. What is Canada doing to ensure Canadian contributions are not diverted by the Taliban?
    • Canada is committed to providing timely and effective humanitarian assistance to those in greatest need, while respecting the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
    • Given the inherent challenges in delivering humanitarian assistance, Canada works with experienced humanitarian partners to meet the life- saving needs of the Afghan people. These partners have developed measures to minimize the risk of misappropriation or diversion of humanitarian assistance, and to ensure that emergency relief items go to the people for whom they are intended.
    • Global Affairs Canada has put in place extensive procedures to prevent humanitarian assistance from being misused or diverted, including scrutiny of partners, and oversight on the use of Canadian assistance. Anti-terrorism clauses are also a standard component in all of Global Affairs Canada’s financial agreements.
  1. Why is Canada’s Criminal Code more restrictive than our allies’ legislation? Why can’t Canada issue licenses like the USA?
    • Each country meets its UN counter-terrorism obligations and domestic security requirements in a way appropriate to their national legislative framework.
    • All donors, including Canada’s like-minded partners, continue to examine and navigate the complex operating environment in Afghanistan in light of their own domestic anti-terrorism obligations.
    • Some of our allies have more flexibility in the face of the current situation in Afghanistan, as they have either not listed the Taliban, or have mechanisms built into their autonomous regimes that provide for humanitarian exemptions or the ability to issue licenses.
    • Although the Taliban has taken over the as de facto government of Afghanistan, it remains a terrorist group and is a listed terrorist entity under the Criminal Code.
    • There is currently no existing mechanism to provide exemptions from the anti-terrorism prohibitions of sec. 83.03(b) of the Criminal Code for humanitarian or other activities.
    • The Government of Canada is aware of the constraints imposed by these legal circumstances, and we continue to explore options to best address the needs of the people of Afghanistan in this unprecedented situation.
  1. What is Canada doing to counter the threat posed by terrorist groups, including the Taliban?

IRCC special immigration programs

Anticipatory Q&A

  1. How is the program designed?

Special Immigration Measures (SIMs) were developed and implemented in July 2021 to facilitate the immigration of two cohorts: locally engaged staff at the Canadian Embassy in Kabul and their families, and Afghan citizens with a significant and/or enduring relationship with the Government of Canada. This included family members. The eligibility criteria for SIMs is defined as “those with a significant and/or enduring relationship with the Government of Canada.” This criteria is assessed by our referral partners, Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence.

  1. Relevant numbers (applications, acceptances, denials)

To date, IRCC is processing nearly 15,000 applications for Afghan nationals who assisted the Government of Canada (e.g., locally engaged staff, interpreters), along with their family members. Of these, over 10,000 applications have been approved and more than 5,000 Afghans have since arrived in Canada.

In respect to the humanitarian program, more than 4000 persons have arrived in Canada, as of April 2022.

  1. What is the Government of Canada doing to facilitate safe passage from Afghanistan?

Safe passage from Afghanistan is a responsibility that IRCC shares with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Public Safety. There are numerous challenges to facilitating safe passage out of Afghanistan.

We are pursuing creative solutions to facilitate the safe movement of Afghan nationals out of Afghanistan so that the processing of their applications can continue. For example, we have introduced a two-part screening process, which starts in Afghanistan with the submission of a new enhanced biographic form.

We are also exploring options to facilitate safe passage through exit routes and staging areas, and are engaging with neighbouring countries to help expedite the exit process.

  1. What are the timelines for achieving the Government’s 40,000 commitment?

The Government of Canada is proud of the work we have done to help vulnerable Afghans, including welcoming over 10,000 people to Canada. We remain firm in our commitment, but the reality is that there are obstacles facing us in Afghanistan that were not present in other large-scale resettlement efforts.

The unique situation in Afghanistan cannot be compared to any other Government of Canada operation given most Afghans in need of protection are located in Afghanistan. The current situation in Afghanistan is complex and the challenges are extraordinary.

We are navigating a constantly evolving situation in which the Government of Canada has no military or diplomatic presence.

Movement out of Afghanistan both by air and by land was and continues to be very difficult and often dangerous. The key challenge we face is that many at-risk Afghans remain in Afghanistan and are unable to leave. This is a complex, multi-year commitment, which we are trying to complete as expeditiously as possible.

  1. How is Canada balancing the resettlement needs of other populations with those from Afghanistan?

Canada has a proud and long-standing tradition of responding to the needs of vulnerable people affected by crisis. Each humanitarian crisis that Canada responds to is different and there is no “one size fits all” approach to our responses. When responding to international crises, Canada tailors each response to meet the unique needs of those who require our support.

The situation in Afghanistan is an urgent, large-scale resettlement effort that will see Afghans resettled through a variety of existing programs. The ongoing war in Ukraine is significantly different from the crisis in Afghanistan. For instance, many of the displaced Ukrainians have left Ukraine, whereas the majority of Afghans seeking to come to Canada remain in-country. Ukrainians have been welcomed in third countries in great numbers while Afghans have experienced border closures from many neighboring countries. IRCC will continue to focus resources on the processing of Afghan applications across a wide range of immigration programs

The Department is working with the service providers it funds to make sure they have the capacity to serve both Afghan and non-Afghan refugees, and Canada will continue with its commitments to resettle other populations, both as PSRs and GAR

Re-engagement with the Taliban

Issue:

Canada has no plans to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, and engages with the Taliban informally through our Senior Official for Afghanistan in Doha.

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Background

On August 15, 2021, the Government of Canada announced that it had temporarily suspended operations at the Canadian Embassy in Kabul due to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. Canada does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan. The Taliban remains a listed terrorist entity under Canadian law.

Canada’s Senior Official for Afghanistan, Mr. David Sproule, engages informally with the Taliban in Doha to share Canada’s priorities, including safe passage and conditions for assistance that go beyond meeting basic human needs.

Canada continues to call on the Taliban to: ensure safe passage of Canadians, foreign nationals and Afghans approved through our Special Immigration Program; allow timely humanitarian access to mitigate a humanitarian and refugee crisis; respect its international human rights obligations, including the protection of fundamental rights of women, girls and other vulnerable groups; form an inclusive and representative government; and, prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe-haven for terrorism.

Eighteen (18) like-minded countries, plus the EU, have representatives for Afghanistan based in Doha and engage with the Taliban on the same issues.

The international community has achieved a strong consensus on Afghanistan. No country has recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government. All, including Afghanistan’s neighbours and countries in the broader region, have rallied around counter-terrorism, human rights particularly women and girls’ rights and inclusive governance.

Canada’s Legacy in Afghanistan

Issue:

Canada remains committed to Afghanistan and the Afghan people following the Taliban takeover in August 2021 and the continued uncertain political, security and humanitarian environments.

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Background

Development Assistance

Since 2001, Canada has provided $3.7 billion in assistance to the country. Afghanistan has been Canada’s largest bilateral country program for several years, with a $90 million annual allocation of development assistance. Canada’s investments to support basic health, education, human rights and security were targeted toward reducing poverty and building a more stable and secure nation. All Canadian development assistance was delivered through third parties (civil society or multilateral partners). Following the Taliban takeover, most international assistance programs in Afghanistan were paused by partners, with the exception of humanitarian assistance.

Humanitarian Assistance

Canada has allocated $143 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs of vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries in 2022. This includes $50 million announced on March 31, 2022, at the international pledging conference. Canada is supporting a multi-sectoral humanitarian response across Afghanistan, including a particular emphasis on the provision of life-saving food and nutrition assistance. Canada’s total contribution in humanitarian assistance was $133M for 2021.

Security Assistance

Canada contributed over $600 million in bilateral security support to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021. Security sector support was provided through the NATO-managed Afghanistan National Army Trust Fund and the UNDP-managed Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan. Both of these trust funds have paused all operations since the Taliban takeover and are in the process of closing down. 40,000 Canadians served in the NATO mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014, making this the largest Canadian military deployment since the Second World War. 158 Canadian Forces members and one Canadian diplomat died during this time.

Achievements

From 2001 to 2021, with Canadian and international support, Afghanistan made significant progress in women and girls’ rights and their access to healthcare and education. Examples of Canada’s achievements include:

Afghanistan Pull Out

Issue:

The United States military completed withdrawal on August 30, 2021, ending a 20-year presence in Afghanistan.

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Background:

On 30 August 2021, the U.S. military completed withdrawal from Afghanistan and ended a 20- year military presence. On February 29, 2020, after over 18 months of difficult negotiations, the U.S. government reached an agreement with the Taliban, wherein the US agreed to withdraw all US and NATO forces from Afghanistan by May 1, 2021, in return for the Taliban engaging in peace talks with the Afghan government, and cutting ties with international terrorist organizations. On April 14, 2021, President Biden announced that the U.S. and NATO forces would begin a “final withdrawal” on May 1, to be completed by September 11, 2021. He later changed the deadline to August 31, 2021.

Following the US-Taliban agreement, the Taliban began “negotiations” with the Government of Afghanistan in September 2020, but never demonstrated any real intent to negotiate or to find a peaceful solution. In early August 2021, the Taliban started making rapid military advances across the country. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took over the capital city of Kabul, and the Afghanistan government collapsed. On August 26, a suicide attack at the Kabul airport killed 180 people, including 13 American troops. On August 30, the Pentagon declared that the U.S. evacuation and relocation operation had been completed. In public remarks on that day, Secretary of State Blinken announced that more than 123,000 people had been flown out of Afghanistan, including 6,000 American citizens, while also recognizing that there were many who had been left behind.

Over the past 20 years, troops from NATO countries and partners served alongside the US military in Afghanistan. More than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014. Canada’s combat role in the country ended in 2011, at which time Canada’s focus shifted to training Afghanistan’s army and police force until 2014. In total, 158 Canadian Armed Forces members died in service of Canada in Afghanistan, alongside seven Canadian civilians including a diplomat, four aid workers, a government contractor, and a journalist.

Since 2001, Canada has provided $3.7 billion in assistance to Afghanistan and it has been Canada’s largest bilateral country program for several years, with a $90 million annual allocation of development assistance. With Canadian and international support, Afghanistan made significant progress in women and girls’ rights and their access to healthcare and education. In addition, a generation of men and women in Afghanistan have participated in democratic political processes and enjoyed a free and vibrant media. Canada continues to support Afghanistan, and has allocated $143M in humanitarian assistance in 2022.

On November 12, 2021, Minister Joly discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Secretary Blinken, specifically how both countries could work together to help Afghans in need. Minister Joly reiterated the importance of obtaining safe passage for Canadians, Canadian permanent residents, and vulnerable Afghans, of mitigating the humanitarian crisis, and of advocating for inclusive and representative governance and respect for the fundamental rights of all Afghans.

Previously, then Foreign Minister Garneau spoke on a number of occasions about Afghanistan with U.S. Secretary Blinken during the month of August 2021. They spoke on August 9 and 14 about the diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the violence, and Secretary Blinken thanked the Foreign Minister for Canada’s commitment to resettle vulnerable Afghans. On August 17, they discussed efforts to bring American and Canadian citizens to safety and to assist vulnerable Afghans. On August 23, 2021, Minister Garneau had a short call with Secretary of State Blinken to convey Canada’s willingness to accept 5000 referrals from the U.S. list of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants into Canada’s Special Immigration Measures programme. In return, Minister Garneau asked that the U.S. help get people on Canada’s list out of Afghanistan before and after the air bridge closed. The Government of Canada announced the agreement to resettle the 5,000 U.S. referrals on August 31.

Comparisons of the policies pursued by allied nations to evacuate staff and Afghans

Supporting facts and figures

A comparison of policies pursued by Canada and our likeminded to evacuate staff and Afghans includes:

Background

On July 23, 2021, IRCC announced a Special Immigration Program focused on Afghans who provided critical support to Canada’s mission to Afghanistan. This included but was not limited to Afghan interpreters, embassy staff and their families. All Canadian and Afghan staff and their families were successfully evacuated and are now safely in Canada.

On August 13, 2021, IRCC announced a humanitarian program to resettle Afghan refugees with a focus on women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted religious and ethnic minorities, LGBTI individuals, journalists and people who helped Canadian journalists, and extended family members of previously resettled interpreters. Overall, Canada has committed to resettling up to 40,000 Afghan refugees under these programs

Many of the likeminded similarly launched immigration programs to evacuate priority populations – usually mission staff or close contacts. Priority Afghan populations differ between countries. However, there is a near universal focus on locally engaged embassy staff and others who have provided support—or might be perceived to have provided support—to the respective countries, often including their family members.

Many of our like-minded countries have a shared focus on women leaders and human rights advocates, persecuted religious minorities and LGBTI individuals.

Canada’s public commitment to resettle 40,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals is one of the highest in the world, including amongst like-minded partners. No like-minded countries have shared a large scale plan at this time to support Afghans who remain in Afghanistan and are generally only able to process applications from eligible Afghans who are able to leave on their own and present themselves for processing elsewhere.

For Canada and its likeminded, the most difficult hurdles in getting people out of Afghanistan remain the lack of safe, secure and reliable routes out of the country, the absence of stable conditions and ever-changing circumstances around what exit documentation is required at check-points and international crossings into third countries.

Annex A – Links and Resources

Germany

United Kingdom

United States

France

Japan

Norway

Netherlands

EU

Speed of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan

The Taliban took power in Afghanistan far faster than most observers, including those in the Canadian intelligence community, anticipated.

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Releasable Background

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban seized Kabul, President Ghani fled and the former Government of Afghanistan collapsed.

The pace of the Taliban advance was a surprise to most international observers. The first provincial capital fell to the Taliban on August 6, 2021, when the Taliban took control of Zaranj, capital of Nimruz Province in southwestern Afghanistan. Nine days later, the Taliban held virtually the entire country, including parts of Afghanistan that they never controlled in the late 1990s. The collapse of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) was precipitous and complete.

Following the February 2020 agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban, the Taliban continued to meet with the Government of Afghanistan, without every truly wanting to reach a settlement. Instead, the Taliban intended to delay engaging in meaningful dialogue until the final departure of U.S. and coalition forces from Afghanistan.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, the Taliban continued fighting against the ANDSF, while abstaining from attacking international forces. By July, the Taliban controlled vast swaths of rural Afghanistan, while ANDSF units controlled the larger cities and provincial capitals. However, the Taliban were able to sever many important ANDSF supply lines, effectively creating islands of ANDSF control that were held together by re-supply from the air. However, the international community by and large believed that the ANDSF would offer a more robust defence of provincial capitals and of Kabul than eventually proved to be the case.

Support for Women & Girls in Afghanistan

What have been Canada’s achievements in Afghanistan?

What is Canada doing to support women’s rights advocacy within Afghanistan?

What are some examples of recent advocacy by Canada in promoting the rights of Afghan women and girls?

What is Canada doing to support to women’s education within Afghanistan?

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