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Minister of International Development appearance before the Standing Committee On Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) on the government's response to the final report of the special committee on Afghanistan

2023-04-26

Table of Contents

A. Overview

Scenario Note

Global Affairs Canada

For Your Awareness

The following Ministers have appeared before CIMM on this study:

Timeline of this Study

Your appearance was requested via the following motion, moved by MP Kwan on March 20, 2023:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2):

Context

Following your appearance before AFGH on April 4, 2022, the committee presented a report to the house on June 8, 2022, titled “Honouring Canada’s Legacy in Afghanistan: Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis and Helping People Reach Safety.” The report contained 37 recommendations.

The government addressed each of these recommendations in its official response, and agreed in part, in principle, or without reservation, to 34 out of the 37 recommendations. Considering this, and the ongoing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, CIMM is undertaking a further study with the objective of holding the government accountable on its progress regarding these recommendations (see Annex A for a summary of progress made, since the Government Response, on each GAC-led recommendation).

During both Minister Fraser and Minister Joly’s appearances before CIMM on February 8 and March 22, respectively questions from members centered around allegations that the government permitted Senator McPhedran to issue inauthentic documents to Afghans in the chaos surrounding the fall of Kabul. The CPC, particularly MP Rempel-Garner, pressed on this issue. On February 10, 2023, MP Rempel-Garner rose in the House of Commons to criticize the government on these same grounds.

During adjournment proceedings on February 14, 2023, CPC MP Alex Ruff, criticized the government for alleged inaction in supporting Afghans who helped Canada during its mission in Afghanistan.

General lines of questioning from CPC members at your appearance before AFGH on April 4, 2022, included removing Criminal Code barriers impeding aid organisations and criticizing the effectiveness of interdepartmental coordination during the crisis.

Questions from the Bloc Quebecois and MP Brunelle-Duceppe have focused on the Criminal Code and the barriers it presents to NGOs on the ground, who are trying to help women and girls. He has criticized the government for not moving fast enough to find a solution, particularly when compared to its allies. He has risen in the House of Commons several times to speak on this issue since the fall of Kabul.

The NDP and MP Kwan have primarily been interested in ensuring that family members of interpreters will have access to resettlement programs, and they have also shown concern for the plight of Afghans in third countries awaiting resettlement. MP Kwan has risen in the House of Commons several times to discuss these issues, though not since October 2022, when she criticized the government for delays in processing applications for Afghans who have served Canada.

At a Foreign Affairs Committee (FAAE) meeting on October 31, 2022, NDP Foreign Affairs and Development Critic, MP McPherson criticized the government, stating that it “continues to fail Afghans by delaying a humanitarian carve-out [in the Criminal Code].” She asked “How much longer will the Minister of Public Safety make women and girls in Afghanistan wait? How many more women and girls in Afghanistan will die before he acts?”

Opening Remarks

The Honourable Harjit Sajjan

Minister of International Development

Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) on Afghanistan

April 26, 2023

Good afternoon/evening members of the Committee.

Let me begin by restating the Government of Canada’s commitment to the Afghan people as they face a dire humanitarian crisis, with the reversal of many of the gains made over the last 20 years, including around women’s rights. Canada has supported, and will continue to support, the most vulnerable Afghans, particularly women and girls.

The Government of Canada is grateful for the work of the Special Committee on Afghanistan and its report and recommendations to further support the Afghan people.

We’re taking a whole-of-government approach in responding to the Committee’s report. It is a coordinated effort across several departments.

Since the Taliban took over as the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, there have been significant challenges for Canada to provide consular support, to assist vulnerable Afghans who want to come to Canada, and to deliver much-needed international assistance. We are witnessing the rapid deterioration of human rights and freedoms in Afghanistan, as a result of the Taliban’s highly repressive and indefensible policies towards women and girls.

I’m here today to speak to progress made on the recommendations from the Special Committee on Afghanistan in its final report. I want to highlight areas where Canada has focused its efforts since the tabling of the Government Response.

Humanitarian Response

Humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan have deteriorated since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. We are now seeing over 28 million people – nearly two thirds of the population – in need of urgent assistance in 2023, up from 18.4 million at the start of 2021. Afghans are suffering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises with needs across all sectors, and nearly half the population is experiencing acute food insecurity.

Canada has been steadfast in its continued support to the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable Afghans, including women and girls. We have found ways to deliver assistance in this difficult environment, through experienced international humanitarian organizations, ensuring that it reaches those in need.

In 2022, Canada provided over $143 million to support efforts to deliver much-needed emergency food and nutrition assistance, health services, emergency shelter, and protection services in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. Our support continues in 2023. [REDACTED].

Bill C-41

The Taliban’s status as a terrorist group has imposed constraints on Canadian charities, non-governmental organizations and government officials wishing to deliver aid in Afghanistan, as any taxes, tariffs or fees paid to the Taliban would risk contravening the Criminal Code’s counter-terrorist financing provisions.

In March, my colleague Minister Mendocino tabled Bill C-41, an amendment to the Criminal Code that would facilitate our humanitarian, human rights, and safe passage work in Afghanistan by providing an authorization regime that could shelter Canadian organizations providing needed activities from the risk of criminal liability.

With this amendment, we aim to provide more flexibility to our partners to deliver on our humanitarian responsibilities, while ensuring that Canada’s counter-terrorism measures remain strong and effective

Support for Women and Girls

Increasingly, the Taliban is restricting the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, including their freedom of movement and dress, as well as their ability to work in the profession of their choice or receive an education. We’re alarmed by the Taliban's decree of December 2022 which banned female NGO workers from providing assistance, which was subsequently extended to women working for UN agencies in April, particularly in light of the humanitarian crisis; as well as the outrageous ban on women attending university. The Government of Canada has – repeatedly and at the highest level – strongly condemned the Taliban’s attempt to erase girls and women from public life in Afghanistan.

Despite these increasing restrictions, Canada’s support for Afghan women and girls has not wavered. Canada continues to advocate strongly for the full realization of Afghan women’s and girls’ rights at every opportunity, including through outreach by our Special Representative for Afghanistan, and our Permanent Missions to the UN in New York and Geneva, through our civil society partners, and on social media.

Additionally, Canadian officials consult regularly with a broad range of Afghan women leaders and human rights defenders, in order to better understand their needs and how we can best support them. The international community, including Canada, is working together in a strong, coordinated effort to fiercely advocate for the rights of Afghan women and girls and to call on the Taliban to reverse the bans and protect and fundamental rights and freedoms of the Afghan people.

Resettlement / Safe Passage

Canada’s commitment to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees before the end of 2023 is one of the largest in the world and we are confident that we can meet it. But challenges remain, including securing safe passage out of Afghanistan. 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 the ever-changing circumstances around what entry and exit documentation is required at checkpoints and international crossings into third-countries.

Despite these challenges, we have been working tirelessly to facilitate the safe passage of vulnerable Afghan destined to Canada and I am pleased to report that to date, more than 30,000 Afghans are beginning their new lives in Canada, with more arriving every week. We continue to make progress, including through collaboration with our partners and regional governments such as Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Conclusion

The Government of Canada is committed to do all that we can to address the recommendations made in the Special Committee’s Report. We remain committed to the people of Afghanistan and to calling out the Taliban for its unacceptable repression.

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

Member Biographies

Salma Zahid - Chair
(LPC—Scarborough Centre, ON)

Salma Zahid

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2016- present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2016- present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2016- present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016- present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2016- present); Canada- Europe Parliamentary Association (2016- present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2016- present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2016- present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2016- present); Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2017- present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2018- present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2019-2021); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2020- present)

Notable committee membership

Chair: CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (December 2021- present)

Member: AFGH Special Committee on Afghanistan (December 2021- present); LIAI Liaison Committee (February 2020- present)

Former Member: FAAE Foreign Affairs and International Development (2015-2022), FEWO Status of Women (2019-2021)

Statements on Afghanistan

Brad Redekopp – Vice Chair
(CPC—Saskatoon West, SK)

Brad Redekopp

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary Roles

Associate Shadow Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (April 2022- present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (April 2022- present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (April 2022- Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (April 2022- present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (April 2022- present)

Notable committee membership

Vice Chair: CIMM Citizenship and Immigration (October 18, 2022-present)

Member: ENVI Environment and Sustainable Development (February 5, 2020- August 15, 2021)

COVI COVID-19 Pandemic (April 20,2020- June 18, 2020)

Statements on Afghanistan

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe
(BQ—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC)

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe

Election to house of commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary Roles

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2020- present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2020- present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2020- present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2020- present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2020- present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2020- present); Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (2020- present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2020- present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2020- present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2020- present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2020- present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2020- present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2020- present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2020- present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2020- present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2020- present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2020- present)

Notable committee membership

Vice Chair: CIMM Citizenship and Immigration Committee (December 14, 2021- Present)

Member and former Vice-Chair: AFGH Afghanistan Committee (December 8, 2021- Present)

Former member and Vice-Chair: National Defence Committee (October 6, 2020- August 15, 2021)

Statements on Afghanistan

Jenny Kwan
(NDP—Vancouver East, BC)

Jenny Kwan

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

NDP Caucus Chair: (2021- present); Former NDP Deputy Whip: (2019); Member of the Joint Interparliamentary Council: (2019-2020)

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canada-China Legislative Association (2015-2020); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016-2017)

Notable committee membership

Member: CIMM Citizenship and Immigration (2016- present)

Former Vice chair: AFGH Afghanistan (2021-2022)

Former Member: COVI COVID-19 Pandemic (April 2020- June 2020)

Statements on Afghanistan

Shafqat Ali
(LPC—Brampton Centre, ON)

Shafqat Ali

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2022 - Present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2022- Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2022 - Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2022 - Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2022- Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2022 - Present)

Notable committee membership

Member: CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2021 - Present); BILI Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament (2021 - Present)

Statements on Afghanistan

Sukh Dhaliwal
(LPC—Surrey-Newton, BC)

Sukh Dhaliwal

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Former Critic: Western Economic Diversification (2007); Competitiveness and the New Economy (2008 - 2009); Sports (2008 - 2009); Asia-Pacific Gateway (2008 - 2011); Western Economic Diversification (2009 - 2011)

Former Assistant Critic: Canadian Heritage (Multiculturalism) (2006); Status of Women (2006); Seniors (2006); Consumer Affairs (2006 - 2007)

Notable committee membership

Member: CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2020 - Present)

Former Chair: AFGH Special Committee on Afghanistan (2021 - 2022)

Former Member: CIIT Standing Committee on International Trade (2016 - 2021); TRAN Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2009 - 2011); ETHI Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2006 - 2008)

Statements on Afghanistan

Fayçal El-Khoury
(LPC—Laval-Les Îles, QC)

Fayçal El-Khoury

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (2016 - Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016 - Present)

Notable committee membership

Member: CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2021 - Present)

Former Vice-Chair: REGS Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2021)

Former Member: AFGH Special Committee on Afghanistan (2021 - 2022); REGS Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2016 - 2022); TRAN Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2020 - 2021)

Statements on Afghanistan

Arielle Kayabaga
(LPC—London West, ON)

Arielle Kayabaga

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Nil.

Notable committee membership

Member: CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2021 - Present); OLLO Standing Committee on Official Language (2021 - Present)

Statements on Afghanistan

Marie-France Lalonde
(LPC—Orléans, ON)

Marie-France Lalonde

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (2021 - Present); Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario and Official Languages) (2021)

Parliamentary Associations Chair: Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2020 - Present)

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (2019 - Present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2020 - Present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2019 - Present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2019 - Present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2019 - Present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2020 - Present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2020- Present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2019 - Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2020- Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2019 - Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2019 - Present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2019 - Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly(2019 - Present); Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2020 - Present)

Notable committee membership

Member:CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2021 - Present)

Former Member: OLLO Standing Committee on Official Languages (2020 - 2021); ACVA Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (2020 - 2021)

Statements on Afghanistan

Tom Kmiec
(CPC—Calgary Shepard, AB)

Tom Kmiec

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Shadow Minister: Citizenship and Immigration (2022 - Present)

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2022 - Present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2020 - Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2015 - Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2015 - Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2022 - Present)

Former Deputy House Leader and Co-Chair of Question Period Planning (2022)

Former Conservative National Caucus Chair (2019 - 2021)

Former Assistant Critic: Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (2016 - 2017)

Notable committee membership

Member: CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2022 - Present); CACN Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2022 - Present)

Former Chair: PACP Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2021 - 2022)

Former Member: LIAI Liaison Committee (2021 - 2022); FINA Standing Committee on Finance (2017 - 2019); FAAE Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2016 - 2017)

Statements on Afghanistan

Larry Maguire
(CPC—Brandon-Souris, MB)

Larry Maguire

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Associations Vice-Chair: Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2022 - Present)

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2014 - Present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2016 - Present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2016 - Present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2020 - Present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2022 - Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2018 - Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2019 - Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016 - Present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2014 - Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2018 - Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2014 - Present)

Notable committee membership

Member: CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2017 - 2019/2022 - Present)

Former Vice - Chair: RNNR Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2022); CHPC Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (2016 - 2017) Former Member: HESA Standing Committee on Health (2020 - 2021); JUST Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (2020) OGGO Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (2014 - 2015)

Statements on Afghanistan

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner
(CPC—Calgary Nose Hill, AB)

Hon. Michelle Rempel Garner

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Key interests

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Associations Member: Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2017 - Present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2016 - Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2017 - Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2016 - Present)

Former Minister: Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification) (2013 - 2015)

Former Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of the Environment (2011 - 2013)

Former Shadow Minister: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (2015 - 2019); Industry and Economic Development (2019 - 2020); Health (2020 - 2021); Natural Resources (2021 - 2022)

Notable committee membership

Member: CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2016 – 2019/2022 – Present)

Former Vice -Chair: RNNR Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2021 - 2022); HESA Standing Committee on Health (2020 - 2021); CIMM Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2017 - 2019)

Statements on Afghanistan

B. Issue Notes

Afghanistan General Note

Supplementary Messages

Background

Canadian engagement on Afghanistan is guided by four key priorities: safe passage and resettlement of at least 40,000 Afghans to Canada (29,000 of whom have been resettled); delivery of humanitarian assistance and support for basic needs; promoting human rights, particularly those of women and girls; and counterterrorism efforts to ensure that Afghanistan does not once again become a safe haven for transnational terrorist groups.

Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, based in Doha, engages the Taliban informally, alongside key allies, to convey key messages: calling on the Taliban to ensure safe passage of Canadians and Afghans approved through our Special Immigration Program; to ensure unhindered humanitarian access; to respect Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations, including the protection of fundamental rights of women, girls, minorities and other vulnerable groups; to form an inclusive and representative government; and, to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe-haven for terrorism.

Future Engagement: Looking forward, Canada will continue to work to advance its priorities, in line with Ministerial mandate letters. As part of this work, Canada will continue to advocate for respect for human rights, particularly those of women and girls, and the formation of an inclusive government. This will include close coordination with allies to seek a reversal of restrictions placed on women and girls.

Canada’s Support for Afghan Women and Girls: Canada uses every opportunity to forcefully advocate for the full realization of Afghan women’s and girls’ rights, and supports a strong, coordinated effort by the international community in this regard. Canada has been vocal in expressing our condemnation of decisions by the Taliban barring Afghan women and girls from education and their exclusion from public life, most recently by joining a statement on International Women’s Day. Canadian officials continue to consult with a broad range of Afghan women leaders and human rights defenders. On February 2, 2023, Minister Sajjan met with a group of Canada-based Afghan women civil society leaders to listen to their views on, and potential response to, the Taliban’s restrictions on women.

Canada, along with allies and likeminded partners continue to urge the Taliban to respect the human rights to which every Afghan is entitled.

International Response to the Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

Supplementary Messages

Background

Humanitarian Response: The Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) remains the largest globally in terms of required funding. The 2023 Afghanistan HRP requires USD 4.6 billion to meet the needs of 28.3 million people in need. The 2022 HRP, required USD 4.4 billion and was 73 percent funded.

Diplomatic Engagement: Following the Taliban’s takeover on 15 August 2021, Canada and allies closed their embassies in Kabul. Canada engages the Taliban, as required, through its Special Representative for Afghanistan, who is based in Doha (Qatar), where 18 likeminded countries and the EU also have representatives. The EU has reopened a mission in Kabul with minimal staff to support the coordination and delivery of humanitarian aid. Of Canada’s like-minded, only Japan has fully reopened its embassy (Sept 2022) Most regional states maintain embassies in Kabul.

Support to Basic Services: In addition to humanitarian assistance donors support the delivery of basic services in the areas of health, food security, education and livelihoods.

Donor Priorities: There is general agreement within the international community on the importance of supporting humanitarian access; inclusive governance; respect for women’s and girls’ rights; countering and controlling irregular migration and narcotics flow; and, counterterrorism. Donor positions vary as to what level of engagement is appropriate under the circumstances, and as to what elements should or should not be included in the definition of basic needs and support for livelihoods.

Human Rights: The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), whose mandate was renewed for another year in March 2023 by the UN Security Council, is tasked with, among other objectives, monitoring and reporting on human rights and gender equality. The UN Human Rights Council named a Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan whose mandate is to provide detailed reporting on the situation on the ground.

Canada’s humanitarian response

Supplementary Messages

Update

On December 24, the Taliban imposed new restrictions barring female Afghan employees from working for domestic and international NGOs. This ban has had a significant impact on the ability of NGOs to deliver assistance in Afghanistan. However, its implementation has been uneven across provinces, and sectoral exemptions have been secured for health and education. Partners are continuing to find ways to deliver while ensuring women and girls are accountably reached. These new restrictions on women have been widely criticized by the international community, including by the Government of Canada and G7 countries.

Supporting Facts and Figures

Background

The scale of humanitarian needs is increasing, with 23.7 million Afghans estimated to require humanitarian assistance in 2023, up from 24.4 million in 2022 and 18.4 million in 2021 prior to the Taliban takeover. Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan cut across all sectors, with food and nutrition, health, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene needs of particular concern. Needs are driven by broad economic decline, conflict, drought, COVID-19, food insecurity, displacement, and are exacerbated by the difficult operating context.

Canada has supported a multi-sectoral humanitarian response across Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on the provision of life-saving food and nutrition assistance to vulnerable groups.

Humanitarian partners are observing increased access constraints and operational challenges, including the de-facto authorities’ (DFAs) operational guideline that aims to regulate and monitor aid organizations. This contributes to shrinking humanitarian space through attempts to influence beneficiary selection, program design and staff recruitment, and added bureaucratic hurdles to project implementation. The safety and basic rights of women in Afghanistan are of heightening concern. In this context, humanitarian partners are continuing to engage with local authorities and to find ways to deliver principled humanitarian action that reaches the most vulnerable.

Haiti Humanitarian Response

Supplementary Messages

Update

In 2023, the UN is expected to appeal for US $715 million humanitarian appeal to address emergency needs of 3 million people in Haiti, an increase of US $342 from 2022.

As announced by the Prime Minister on February 16, to date in 2023 Canada has allocated $12.3 million in humanitarian assistance to partners in Haiti.

Supporting Facts and Figures

Background

Haiti is a context with longstanding humanitarian needs. The overlapping security and political crises are impacting economic activity and exacerbating humanitarian needs. Armed gang activity hinders access to key parts of the country, limiting the flow of fuel, food and medicine and the ability of humanitarian organizations to reach most vulnerable people.

The most acute humanitarian issues currently include cholera, food insecurity and displacement along with the associated protection risks. Cholera, which has re-emerged in the country after three years, has now confirmed cases in all departments. Access to safe drinking water remains a challenge and a major cause of the spread of the disease.

Approximately 4.9 million people in Haiti (nearly 50% of the population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, an increase of 200,000 people from the IPC analysis published in September, 2022.

According to IOM, more than 155,000 people have been displaced by gang violence in Greater Port-au-Prince. There are also increasing reports of human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence.

Canada’s 2023 funding will continue to provide support, particularly as it relates to cholera, water, sanitation and hygiene, health, food security and nutrition, logistics and protection assistance. It is being provided through: The World Food Programme, the Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Population Fund, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Ukraine Humanitarian Response

Supplementary Messages

Update

Budget 2023, released on March 28, 2023, included $84.8 million to fund exceptional international assistance support to Ukraine from internal Global Affairs Canada reference levels in 2023-24, including $32.5 million for humanitarian assistance. These funds will be sourced from the department’s reference levels.

Supporting Facts And Figures

Background

The Ukraine conflict has caused the world’s fastest growing displacement crisis since World War II, with over 13 million people initially uprooted in less than two months. Currently, over a quarter of Ukraine’s population have fled their homes, including more than 5.6 million people now estimated to be internally displaced and over 4.9 million Ukrainian refugees registered for Temporary Protection or similar national protection schemes in Europe, most of them women and children. Nearly two-thirds of the children in Ukraine have been displaced.

Humanitarian needs in Ukraine continue to be significant. The 2023 Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) indicates a need for US $3.9 billion to support 9.4 million people with humanitarian assistance this year. Priority needs result largely from attacks on energy and shelter infrastructure, which hampers access to water, food, health care, transportation, telecommunications, and other essential services. The war is impacting women and men in different ways and is exacerbating pre-existing inequalities.

Since the beginning of hostilities on February 24th, humanitarian partners have worked intensively to increase the scale and scope of their operations in Ukraine. The humanitarian response is assisting more people every week. As of February 2023, the UN and humanitarian partners have reached over 15.8 million people across Ukraine.

Afghanistan: Support for Women and Girls

Supplementary Messages

Update

On April 4 2023, the Taliban banned Afghan women from working for UN agencies. March 23, 2023, marked one year since the Taliban banned girls from attending secondary school. On March 8, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan met with Afghan women in Canada and inside Afghanistan to hear their concerns and to convey Canada’s unwavering support for the rights of women and girls.

Supporting Facts and Figures

Background

Canada’s Support for Afghan Women and Girls: Canada uses every opportunity to forcefully advocate for the full realization of Afghan women’s and girls’ rights, and supports a strong, coordinated effort by the international community in this regard. Canada has been vocal in expressing our condemnation of decisions by the Taliban barring Afghan women and girls from public life, most recently by joining a statement on International Women’s Day (March 8). Canadian officials continue to consult with a broad range of Afghan women leaders and human rights defenders. On February 2, 2023, Minister Sajjan met with a group of Canada-based Afghan women civil society leaders to listen to their views on, and responses to the Taliban’s restrictions on women.

Education of Afghan Girls and Women: The Taliban has banned Afghan women and girls from receiving an education beyond grade 6, depriving them of their fundamental right to an education. The Government of Canada condemns these bans and is currently assessing how to further support education for women and girls in Afghanistan.

Taliban Ban on Women Working for NGOs and the UN

Supplementary Messages

Taliban in the distribution of humanitarian aid, and a growing number of reports of corruption.

Supporting Facts and Figures

Background

On December 24, 2022, the Taliban imposed new restrictions barring female Afghan employees from working for domestic and international NGOs. At present, the ban does not apply to women working in the health care system, nor to teachers in primary schools.

In January 2023, two high-level UN delegations traveled to Afghanistan to urge the Taliban to reverse the ban and impress the importance of principled humanitarian assistance. During his visit, Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths received a verbal commitment from the Taliban to develop written guidelines clearly outlining where women are allowed to work. By late March 2023, the Taliban have not provided these guidelines.

A Basic Needs Principles non-paper adopted by donors, sets the parameters for how donors can continue to deliver basic needs services under the current conditions. Specifically, it states that: (1) women must remain beneficiaries of any assistance; (2) female workers must not be replaced by male workers; male-only teams should only be used in cases where they had been used prior to the ban, and when there is a strong rationale for women not being a part of the delivery; (3) otherwise, activities can only continue if women can meaningfully participate; and (4) adequate monitoring of the delivery of assistance must be ensured.

The guidelines agreed by humanitarian donors add that humanitarian assistance should continue only where: (1) women can meaningfully participate in the assessment of needs, delivery of assistance, and monitoring activities; and (2) where women staff themselves assess that they are able to work safely. The adoption of these principles, together with an enhanced monitoring framework, will guide humanitarian and international assistance activity delivery for the foreseeable future.

On April 4, 2023, the Taliban de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs verbally informed senior UN country officials in Afghanistan that the ban on Afghan women working for NGOs would extend to UN agencies. This is expected to have significant impacts on the delivery of humanitarian and basic needs assistance. Currently, the exemptions for women working for NGOs as primary teachers and in healthcare clinics will apply to UN bodies also. UN entities, specifically UNAMA, are asking donors for time and space to assess the situation on the ground and to attempt negotiations with the de facto authorities.

Bill C-41

Supplementary Messages

Update

Status of Bill C-41: On March 9, 2023, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-41 to create an authorization regime to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, health services, education, human rights programming, support to livelihoods, resettlement, immigration processing, safe passage activities, and other government operations. The Bill was debated at second reading on Monday, March 27 after which, it was deemed read a second time and referred to the House of Commons Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST). The Bill could be discussed at the JUST as early as April 17. Budget 2023 includes a reference to new resources to support GAC, PS, RCMP and CSE for this authorization regime, with some of these resources sourced from internal departmental resources.

Initial reactions to Bill C-41 have been mixed. A coalition of 18 Canadian charitable organizations, including GAC implementing partners, have expressed support. At the same time, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières have called for a humanitarian exemption instead of an authorization regime, and questions have been raised about timing for issuing authorizations, and the ability for smaller NGOs to get authorizations. There also have been concerns expressed by some Afghan-Canadian diaspora groups regarding the need to deliver aid in a manner that does not benefit the Taliban. During second reading, criticisms raised by opposition MPs include the delay in introducing the legislation, the decision to have an authorization regime rather than a clear exception, the ability to issue authorizations in a timely manner and of smaller diaspora groups to access authorizations.

Background

Overview of Bill C-41: Under the proposed authorization regime, the Minister of Public Safety (PS) or a delegate would have the authority to issue authorizations to shield from criminal liability activities for the above purposes that would otherwise be at risk of violating the Criminal Code due to the unavoidable benefit to a terrorist group from carrying out that activity. In deciding whether to issue an authorization, the Minister of PS would consider referrals by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and IRCC on specific assessment criteria, including the need for the activity, whether the area is controlled by a terrorist group, and the capacity of the applicant to manage and report on funds. The Minister would balance this information against the results of a national security review in a risk-benefit analysis and make a decision on the request, including associated terms and conditions of any authorization. The proposed regime, while responsive to the current situation in Afghanistan, would also be applicable outside of Afghanistan and enables Canada to better anticipate responses to future crises in any area where terrorist groups exert control.

Criminal Code: With the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban, a listed terrorist entity in Canada, is likely to receive revenue from any payment made to the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, including taxes, import tariffs, and the payment of administrative fees. Any Canadian authorizing such payments risks contravening the provision 83.03 of the Criminal Code. As a result, it has been difficult for Canadian NGOs and the Government of Canada officials to support activities in Afghanistan.

Sensitive Q&A Document Bill C-41

  1. Why does Bill C-41 propose to amend the Criminal Code to create an authorization regime rather than legislating a humanitarian carve-out or exemption from the provision?
    • The current proposal as captured in the Bill presents the best balance between facilitating the delivery of international assistance and maintaining the integrity of robust counter-terrorism measures.
    • An authorization regime provides flexibility to consider a wider range of eligible applicants and activities, such as education, human rights, and livelihoods support, compared to a carveout for exclusively humanitarian activities.
    • A carve-out may not have provided the desired certainty for affected organizations and third parties (such as banks) that their activities were covered by any exemption, and that the risk of contravening Canada’s Criminal Code was sufficiently reduced or mitigated.
  2. Why did it take the Government of Canada so long to finally propose an amendment to the Criminal Code?
    • Amendment to any legislation is a complex exercise and require the input and considerations of many departments and agencies across the Government of Canada.
    • It was imperative that the regime considers the risks associated with authorizing activities that would benefit a terrorist group, and quite possibly their actions.
    • The proposed regime took time to develop to ensure that a rigorous framework of checks and balances would be in place to minimize the risk of terrorist financing while enabling important humanitarian and immigration activities including safe passage work to help vulnerable people, especially those made vulnerable due to terrorist activity.
    • Furthermore, the proposed regime possesses the flexibility to respond to similar crises in the future.
  3. How will the Government of Canada ensure that the Taliban do not benefit from Canadian funding?
    • Canada has among the strongest regimes to counter the financing of terrorism in place in the world.
    • Though Bill C-41, Canada is establishing the flexibility to facilitate needed international assistance in areas under terrorist control, including in Afghanistan.
    • The Government of Canada remains committed to counteracting terrorist financing, and the authorization regime will be implemented in such a way as to minimize as much as possible any benefit and possible diversion of funds to any terrorist organization.
    • All authorization requests will be subject to national security screening, which will be considered along with the referral by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Refugee and Citizenship, in a risk benefit analysis, to inform the decision of the Minister of Public Safety.
    • Authorizations will be subject to terms and conditions and require organizations to report on their activities.
    • As per Budget 2023, the Government is planning to allocate resources to Public Safety, the RCMP, Global Affairs Canada and CSE to support the new authorization regime proposed under the amendments to the Criminal Code, including the monitoring of the authorizations.
    • With this amendment, the Government of Canada is balancing the need to maintain strong anti-terrorist financing provisions with the need to allow Canadian and international organizations to deliver international assistance to people in need living in geographic areas controlled by a terrorist group.
  4. How will the government address concerns around the perceptions of neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian organizations?
    • A list of authorization holders will not be published.
    • Publishing the names of individuals or organizations coordinating humanitarian activities, human rights programming, the delivery of basic services and activities supporting immigration including safe passage in a specified geographic area that is controlled by a terrorist group could pose an unnecessary and grave threat to the safety of personnel.
    • Therefore, the names of individuals or organizations who are granted authorizations will not be made publicly available, nor will the authorizations themselves.
    • Each organization may exercise its discretion to determine whether they will publicly share the status of their authorization during the delivery of activities.
  5. How will the government be able to process applications in a timely manner?
    • The Government of Canada is working to ensure that this process is as timely and streamlined as possible.
    • Work is underway on a standardized electronic form for applications and clear guidance documents to facilitate applications from all organizations.
    • Following passage of the legislation, the Government of Canada is also planning to hold stakeholder information sessions.
    • As announced in the Budget 2023, the Government of Canada is allocating new resources to standing up the authorization regime to the departments and agencies involved in processing applications, as well as funding for an IT solution.
  6. What mechanism will be put in place to track results and monitor progress and to ensure transparency in how this exemption is applied?
    • An annual Government of Canada report will be tabled in Parliament to provide information regarding the operation of the authorization regime.
  7. What are Canada’s allies doing to reduce terrorist financing risks while providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan?
    • This amendment largely aligns with and even goes beyond what some of our closest allies, including Five Eyes counterparts, are doing, in terms of having the ability to issue authorizations for many of the same activities (e.g., humanitarian and some key development assistance) and to individuals and organizations including Canadian NGOs and charities.
    • This approach is consistent with the December 2021 United Nations Security Council Resolution 2615 that carved out an exemption for the delivery of humanitarian aid and other actions in support of basic human needs from its sanction regime for Afghanistan, including the payment of taxes or other fees. It is also consistent with the December 2022 United Nations Security Council Resolution 2664 that carved out a similar exemption for UN agencies and UN-linked agencies, from all other UN sanctions regimes.
    • The authorization regime will prepare Canada to better respond to other situations and places as well, if needed. While the situation in Afghanistan has prompted this effort, the authorization regime is not restricted to Afghanistan and will allow the Minister of PS to grant an authorization to an eligible individual or organization, in any geographic area that is controlled by a terrorist group, to undertake activities for certain purposes, that would otherwise be prohibited under the current terrorist financing offence in paragraph 83.03(b) of the Criminal Code.
    • The proposed authorization regime is not limited exclusively to Afghanistan and is intended to cover programming in existing or future fragile and crisis-affected contexts similar to Afghanistan. Activities meeting the listed “purposes” (humanitarian, health, education, livelihoods, human rights and immigration processing/safe passage) correspond with the recommendations of the Special Committee of Afghanistan in their report, Honouring Canada’s Legacy in Afghanistan: Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis and Helping People Reach Safety and also provide flexibility for an immediate and effective crisis response. This approach permits the Government of Canada to fulfill its various international assistance and immigration processing / safe-passage mandates.

Key Messages: Recommendations in The Special Committee Report On Afghanistan Impacting International Development

Supplementary Messages

Supporting Facts and Figures

Background

Special Committee and Recommendations:

C. Additional Note

Timeline of Events and GoC Response to the Crisis in Afghanistan

Key Events

Key Canadian Reponses

2021

April 14: US & NATO announce troop withdrawal by Sept 11, 2021

July 4: Almost all Coalition troops have been withdrawn

July 23: Canada announces Special Immigration Measures program

August 3: Canada’s first CAF evacuation flight

August 13: Canada expands resettlement program

August 15: Collapse of Afghan government, seizure of Kabul by the Taliban

August 15: Canada evacuates the Kabul embassy and suspends operations indefinitely

August 24: G7 leaders issue a statement on the situation in Afghanistan

August 25: Canada’s final CAF evacuation flight

August 25: Women ordered to stay indoors at home because soldiers are not trained to respect women

August 26: Canada announces $50M Humanitarian Assistance contribution to Afghanistan

August 27: Canada appoints David Sproule as Canada’s Senior Official for Afghanistan

August 30: Ban declared on co-education and men prohibited from teaching girls

August 30: All US & Coalition Forces withdrawn

September 17: Ministry of Women’s Affairs replaced with Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice

September 20: Professional/working women ordered to stay home until further notice

September 28: Canada announces the doubling of its resettlement goal, from 20,000 to 40,000 Afghans

September 29: Women banned from attending and teaching at Kabul University

December 21: Canada announces $56 million in humanitarian funding in Afghanistan in response to 2022 UN and ICRC appeals

December 26: Women banned from travelling long-distance (72 km) road trips without a mahram (chaperone/ male guardian)

2022

March 2: Women banned from entering health centers without a mahram (male guardian)

March 13: Enforcement of segregation of women and men’s offices ordered

March 17: UN Security Council extends the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA)’s mandate until 17 March 2023

March 23: Announcement that schools for girls’ grade 7 and up will remain closed

March 25: MINA joins a joint female Foreign Minister’s statement expressing disappointment and concern that girls have been barred from secondary school in Afghanistan

March 27: Women banned from traveling abroad without a mahram/male guardian and without a “legitimate reason”

March 31: Canada announces an additional $50 million to support humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan

April 1: UN Human Rights Council appoints Richard Bennett as Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan.

April 21: Islamic State - Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) claims responsibility for an attack on a Shi’a mosque that killed 31 worshippers in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif

May 5: Issuing of driving licenses to women halted

May 12: G7 foreign ministers issue a statement on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan

May 16: Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission dissolved

June 21: A 6.0 magnitude earthquake erupts in eastern Afghanistan, killing over 1000 and injuring nearly 3000 people

August 14: MINA, MINE, Ministers of Immigration and Defense issue a statement for the 1-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul

August 15: 1-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul

August 25: Order issued banning women from going to parks where park authorities cannot ensure segregation between men and women

August 29: Female university students ordered to cover their faces in classrooms

September 3: ISIS-K claims responsibility for a suicide bombing in front of the Russian embassy in Kabul which killed 6 including two embassy staff

September 30: A suicide bomber detonates in an education center in Kabul, killing more than 50 students and educators, the majority of whom Hazara Shi’a women and girls

October 14: Canada appoints David Sproule (previously Senior Official for Afghanistan) as Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan

October 30: Female university students whipped in Badakhshan for wearing jeans under their long coats

November 10: Women and girls banned from parks and gyms

November 23: Three women were among several other people flogged by the Taliban in front of thousands of onlookers in a football stadium

December 1: 21 people flogged by the Taliban, including six women in Kabul

December 4: ISIS-K claims responsibility for a targeted attack against the Head of Mission of Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul, which killed the diplomat’s security guard

December 12: ISIS-K-affiliated gunmen open fire in a Chinese-owned hotel in central Kabul, killing 5 and wounding 5 Chinese nationals

December 20: Female students banned from attending university throughout the country

December 21: MINA joins a joint Foreign Minister's statement condemning the Taliban’s ban on women attending university

December 24: Female staff banned from working for NGOs

December 29: MINA joins a statement from Foreign Ministers condemning the Taliban’s ban on women working for NGOs

2023

February 18: MINA joins a Female Foreign Minister's statement at the Munich Security Conference condemning the Taliban’s erasure of women from public life

March 9: The Government of Canada introduces Bill C-41, An Act to amend the Criminal Code with the goal of establishing an authorization regime to allow aid to reach Afghanistan directly while maintaining compliance with the Criminal Code’s anti-terrorism provisions

March 16: UN Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 March 2024

April 4: The Taliban de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs verbally informs UN senior officials in Afghanistan that the ban on women working for NGOs will extend to Afghan women working for UN entities

Consular Support and Facilitation Letters

Supplementary Messages

Supporting Facts And Figures

Responsive lines – Anticipatory Q&A document

  1. Evacuation During the Fall of Kabul
    If asked about Canada’s response to the fall of Kabul and its evacuation’s effort
    • Canada’s coordinated response to the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban seizure of power was one of the largest, most challenging and most complex international crisis operations in recent decades.
    • Following the withdrawal announcement made by NATO and the United States on November 17, 2020, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) began to have serious concerns regarding its ability to maintain a long-term diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.
    • As GAC worked to maintain Canada’s diplomatic presence in Kabul, assets and resources that were critical to facilitating mission security, were in danger of being lost, prompting a decision to temporarily suspend operations at the mission by August 31, 2021. The rapid deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan required the Head of Mission to order a temporary suspension of operations on August 12, 2021.
    • All mission closure protocols were adhered to, ensuring information and assets were not compromised.
  2. Speed of the Taliban Takeover in Afghanistan
    If asked about the 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.
    • Analysts broadly agreed that a lasting, peacefully negotiated agreement between the Taliban and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was highly unlikely; the Taliban were intent on a military resolution.
    • While there were warnings about the stability and resiliency of the Afghan government, the intelligence community broadly underestimated the speed at which the Taliban would seize power.
    • While the precise timing of the fall of the Afghan government was a surprise, including to the Taliban itself, the fact that the government ultimately collapsed was not a shock to the intelligence community.
  3. Humanitarian Crisis and Response
    If asked about Canada’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
    • Canada remains deeply concerned over the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and is committed to supporting the delivery of lifesaving assistance through experienced humanitarian partners in a way that ensures assistance reaches the most vulnerable, including women and girls.
    • In 2022, Canada provided over $143 million in humanitarian assistance for much-needed food assistance, health services, emergency shelter, and protection services. Canada is in the process of determining its humanitarian response for 2023.
    • The Criminal Code creates a wide range of terrorism-related offences, and has to date presented serious constraints on the humanitarian and development activities the Government is able to support and the organizations Canada is able to partner with. On March 9, 2023, the Government of Canada introduced a bill to amend the Criminal Code, allowing Canada to overcome these constraints and facilitate our engagement with allies to address humanitarian crises and advance human rights globally, including in Afghanistan.
    • Canada is outraged at the Taliban’s recent restrictions against women NGO workers, and is alarmed at the impacts of this ban on vulnerable people in Afghanistan, especially women and girls. Canada continues to support coordinated international efforts to press for a reversal of the ban and to deliver assistance wherever women can be accountably reached.
  4. Canada’s Legacy in Afghanistan
    If asked about Canada’s legacy in Afghanistan over the last twenty years.
    • Canada remains committed to Afghanistan and the Afghan people following the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
    • Prior to the Taliban’s seizure of power, Canada had worked for twenty years alongside Afghans who achieved tangible results in terms of democracy, human rights, women’s rights, girls’ education, maternal and child health, and a free press in Afghanistan.
    • Since 2001, Canada has provided $3.9 billion in assistance to Afghanistan, which helped a generation of Afghans achieve a higher standard of living, with reduced infant mortality, extended life expectancy, and millions of children, especially girls, attending school.
    • These achievements would not have been possible without assistance from Canada, and they have contributed to an Afghanistan that is fundamentally different from what it was in 2001.
    • We remember and honour the sacrifices made by Canadian Armed Forces, diplomats and other Canadians in Afghanistan and the losses suffered by their families and loved ones.
  5. Facilitation Letters
    If asked about Global Affairs Canada’s role in the distribution of the Facilitation Letters and comment on recent reporting in media
    • Global Affairs Canada authorized the issuance of facilitation letters during the Afghanistan air bridge to enable individuals already approved for evacuation to Canada to get through Taliban checkpoints.
    • Canada and friendly nations operating in Kabul identified that the Taliban was preventing civilians from accessing the Hamid Karzai International Airport, putting the lives of Canadians and Afghan nationals at risk. The government learned that civilians issued facilitation documents by foreign governments were getting through the checkpoints.
    • The government could not, in good conscience, have summoned families to the airport without using the tools at our disposal to mitigate the risk to their safety posed by the Taliban checkpoints.
    • The facilitation letters did not confer any status to the bearers. They were only issued to facilitate movement within Afghanistan.
  6. Afghanistan Evacuation Recognition Ceremony
    If asked about the Recognition Ceremony
    • On October 26, 2022, GAC held a ceremony to recognize the efforts of public servants during this extremely complex and challenging evacuation operation.
    • Many have demonstrated outstanding commitment in difficult conditions. It was an emotionally charged situation for all those involved and some still carry this emotional weight to this day.
    • However, this does not mean that our work is done. The Government of Canada is unwavering in its commitment to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals, and we are working tirelessly to achieve it.
    • The proposed amendment to the Criminal Code will support the response to the crisis in Afghanistan by facilitating the provision of international assistance and the safe passage and immigration processing of vulnerable individuals destined for Canada.
  7. Criminal Code
    If asked about progress on the Criminal Code amendment
    • On March 9, 2023, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-41, which amends the Criminal Code to create an authorization regime.
    • With this amendment, we will provide flexibility to support our humanitarian responsibilities, while ensuring that Canada’s counter-terrorism measures remain strong and effective
    • The proposed amendment to the Criminal Code will facilitate Canada’s engagement alongside our allies to address humanitarian crises and advance human rights globally, including in Afghanistan.
    • The new authorization(s) will provide certainty for Canadians that they will be shielded from the risk of criminal liability for the activities covered by the authorization.
  8. Canada’s response to crisis in Afghanistan vs crisis in Ukraine
    If asked about the difference in the Government of Canada’s response to the crisis in Afghanistan and Ukraine. (i.e. Does the Government’s response to Afghanistan differ from its response to Ukraine? How? Why?
    • Canada is concerned about the humanitarian situations in both Afghanistan and Ukraine.
    • Its differing response is reflective of differing contexts, operational challenges as well as the unique constraints of Canada’s Criminal Code on support in Afghanistan.
    • In Ukraine, Canada is able to support a breadth of partners with a range of support including humanitarian, development, peace and security, and military assistance.
    • In Afghanistan, Canada’s Criminal Code creates a wide range of terrorism-related offences, and thus presents serious constraints on the humanitarian and development activities that the Government is able to support in Afghanistan, and the organizations with which Canada is able to partner.
    • Nonetheless, Canada continues to respond in both contexts in ways that address the most pressing needs. For example:
      • To help address the humanitarian impact of attacks on energy and shelter infrastructure in Ukraine, Canada supported the procurement and distribution of over 1,250 generators for use in humanitarian collective centers.
      • To help address one of the world’s largest and most severe food insecurity crises – with 20 million people, nearly half the population, acutely food insecure– Canada’s humanitarian assistance is focused on providing lifesaving food assistance, as well as emergency nutrition supplies to treat acutely malnourished children and pregnant and lactating women.
    • [If pressed] Canada’s international assistance must consider a range of complexities and challenges in every crisis. The realities in Ukraine and Afghanistan are different, and as such, Canada continues to approach each situation independently. Nevertheless, we remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in both Ukraine and Afghanistan, and committed to responding to humanitarian needs
  9. Support for women and girls in other countries
    If asked about how Canada’s support to women and girls in Afghanistan compares to its support to women and girls in other regions, specifically the Rohingya, and Uyghurs.
    • In line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, our steadfast support for women and girls is integrated into all advocacy and assistance provided globally.
    • Canada is deeply concerned with the decline of women’s rights around the world, particularly including women in Afghanistan.
    • Different contexts require different solutions, which is why there are strategic differences in approach to support women and girls in different communities, but the goals of gender equality and respect for the rights of women and girls remain the same.
    • The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights found that serious human rights violations have been committed in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, discriminatorily affecting members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim minorities. Credible allegations of family separation and individual incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, such as forced birth control, have been reported.
    • The Government of Canada continues to express concern about the situation in Xinjiang and is committed to advocating for the fundamental human rights of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim communities in China.
  10. Canada’s efforts to prevent persecution of minorities abroad
    If asked about Canada’s efforts to prevent persecution of minorities abroad
    • Human rights are indivisible, universal, and interdependent. They are inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or belief or any other status.
    • Canada protects human rights, addressing racism and discrimination, and promoting inclusion and respect for diversity, key elements toward fostering healthy democracies;
    • Members of minority communities and other persons and groups in vulnerable situations are often disproportionally affected by restrictions, marginalization and exclusion;
    • We remain concerned by violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms that continue to occur around the world;
    • The Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities was adopted in December 1992 and remains the key instrument at a universal level to address the political and civil, economic, social and cultural rights of persons belonging to minorities;
    • Canada works bilaterally, internationally and multilaterally to counter intolerance and discrimination and in support of the rights of people belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities;
    • Through Canada’s international assistance, we are supporting bilateral, regional, and global initiatives that promote all human rights, inclusion and respect for diversity, and address issues such as genocide, xenophobia, hate speech, antisemitism, violent extremism, racism, and discrimination, while supporting gender equality.
    • Canada recognizes the significant hardship faced by various minority groups in Afghanistan, including for members of the Hazara, Ahmadiyya, Sikh, Hindu and Christian communities.
    • In Afghanistan, Canada continues to advocate for the protection of minorities and to insist that their rights and freedoms be respected, through our Special Representative for Afghanistan, who presses the Taliban to uphold Afghanistan’s human rights commitments and obligations to protect persecuted minorities.
    • Canada has committed to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan refugees, including through our special immigration humanitarian program that focuses on vulnerable Afghan nationals. This includes persecuted religious or ethnic minorities. Over 28,000 Afghans have arrived in Canada since 2021.
  11. Cooperation with Aman Lara to facilitate safe passage efforts
    If asked about the Aman Lara partnership and funding of the organization despite the Criminal Code issue.
    • The Government of Canada works closely with organizations internationally to advance its commitment of welcoming at least 40,000 Afghan refugees by the end of 2023. We will continue ongoing efforts to engage with a wide range of partners, including NGOs and private sector service providers, to address challenges related to securing safe passage for Afghan nationals who are eligible for Canada’s immigration programs.
    • Due to the situation on the ground, many of IRCC clients are unable, or face great risks when attempting to make the journey out of Afghanistan without assistance.
    • IRCC is working with organizations that can provide safe passage support out of Afghanistan, including Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), Aman Lara, and the Veterans Transition Network (VTN), to enable their life-saving work to continue.
    • GAC has extended its project with JHR to May 2023, who is working with organizations such as Aman Lara to support safe passage. The current project with JHR supports logistical support and training.
  12. Engagement with the United Arab Emirates on safe passage
    If asked about Canada’s engagement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on safe passage of Canada-bound Afghan refugees.
    • The Government of Canada has been closely collaborating with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to facilitate the resettlement of Canada-bound Afghan refugees.
    • In September 2022, with support from the U.S. and the UAE, we resettled approximately 1,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals who have been residing in the Emirates Humanitarian City since they were evacuated from Afghanistan during the 2021 crisis.
    • Canada continues to engage with the UAE to strengthen our partnership and cooperation on safe passage.
  13. Engagement with Pakistan on safe passage
    If asked about Canada’s engagement with Pakistan on safe passage of Canada-bound Afghan refugees.
    • Canada-Pakistan bilateral relations are strong, and multi-faceted.
    • Pakistan is a key partner for Canada in efforts to resettle vulnerable Afghans to meet the Government of Canada commitment to welcome at least 40,000 Afghan refugees. Canada appreciates Pakistan’s ongoing support.
    • As of March 4, 2023, approximately 10,000 Afghan refugees have arrived in Canada via Pakistan since the fall of Kabul.

D. Annex

Annex A: GAC’s Progress to Responses from the Government Response MC

Recommendation summaryGovernment responseProgress as of March 3, 2023

Recommendation 1: The Government of Canada (GoC) re-examine its whole-of government review of lessons learned from Afghanistan to ensure the review addresses all aspects of the government’s performance in Afghanistan from Feb 2020 onwards.

Category: Intergovernmental coordination and lessons learned

The Government of Canada agrees with the recommendation.

Most of the GoC departments and agencies engaged in the response to the crisis in Afghanistan have undertaken various internal reviews and lessons learned exercises over the course of the past year.

Those reviews are being carefully considered, and changes to policies, programs, and operations have or will be undertaken, where relevant.

The sensitive nature of some GoC operations prohibits these reviews from being shared publicly at this time, and therefore, they have not been included in the Response to the Special Committee’s Report.

  • One of the main tenets of GAC’s emergency management program is enabling continuous improvement of the department’s emergency management policies and operations through After Action Reviews (AARs) following each emergency response.
  • GAC conducted an after action review (AAR) of emergency response operations for the Afghanistan response to identify strengths and areas for improvement of our internal operational readiness and effectiveness as well as whole-of-government coordination.
  • The internal recommendations of the AAR are being incorporated into department’s Emergency Management policies, operational guidelines and training.
  • The department is working with IRCC, CBSA and DND partners to continue to foster a mutual understanding of the respective EM structures, authorities and operations that are required for effective GAC-led whole-of-government response to international emergencies.

Recommendation 2: When signs point to an emerging international crisis that implicates Canada’s interests, the GoC quickly establish a structure of interdepartmental coordination, communication, and planning, as well as streamlined leadership and decision-making authority across departments, with one person responsible to ensure a coherent and timely response.

Category: Intergovernmental coordination and lessons learned

The Government of Canada agrees in part with this recommendation.

The Emergency Management Act (EMA) establishes the supporting roles of federal departments for all national emergencies, whether under the leadership of the Minister of Public Safety for events in Canada, or the leadership of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for emergency responses abroad.

The EMA ensures that the federal leadership for Canada’s emergency responses is unambiguous and that the roles and responsibilities of supporting departments is clear and coordinated. The statutes enable the government to leverage federal expertise and resources for emergencies into a clear and coherent command.

As lead for federal emergency response abroad, GAC’s International Emergency Response Framework (IERF) provides the processes and mechanisms to facilitate an integrated Government of Canada response to an emergency. The IERF positions the GoC to respond effectively to major international emergencies in a timely manner, through the strategic coordination and deployment of resources to achieve the best possible outcomes for Canada and Canadians. The IERF has been in place since 2016. It enables GAC to rapidly mobilize capabilities from across the Government as needed.

GAC may establish an Interdepartmental Task Force (ITF) at any time, convening stakeholders to deliver a whole-of-government response to international emergencies.

An integrated co-lead of an international emergency response may be required when, for example, an international emergency affects multiple jurisdictions and/or government institutions, requiring an additional level of coordination and support from OGDs.

The Department continually monitors international events to identify and analyze all hazards of potential or immediate threat to Canadians and/or Canadian interests abroad. In accordance with IERF protocols, GAC can strike an ITF immediately upon an emergency situation occurring or appearing imminent. The ITF sets the overall strategic direction of the response and is the focal point for coordination between departmental and federal departments stakeholders.

  • GAC is working closely with federal EM partners including Public Safety, IRCC, PCO, and DND among others to enhance integrated federal emergency response so that the department is equipped to lead the government’s response to international emergencies that affect multiple jurisdictions and/or government institutions, requiring coordination and support from other government departments (e.g. a pandemic).
  • IRCC has made efforts to bolster its emergency response capacity and is working closely with GAC to learn from their experience in international emergency management. This engagement is a good example of the ongoing horizontal work to better position the government to deliver future whole-of-government emergency responses.
  • Regular interdepartmental emergency management meetings are conducted on a proactive basis to address both domestic and international crisis response plans. Recent examples have included nuclear planning meetings as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Recommendation 4: The GoC ensure it has the ability to surge resources to relevant embassies and departments when conditions in another country that implicates Canada’s interests are deteriorating.

Category: Intergovernmental coordination and lessons learned

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

GAC has several established mechanisms to deploy surge capacity to missions abroad to enable and sustain crisis response. The main surge resource is the Standing Rapid Deployment Team (SRDT). In December 2022, GAC secured TB funding to bolster the SRDT capacity and training. This additional funding will equip the SRDT to meet the resource requirements of contemporary crises, which increasingly are protracted, and multi-faceted, requiring more resources for longer periods.

At headquarters, GAC’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre has established mechanisms to call-up scalable surge capacity to bolster contact centres in order to respond to public inquiries when a crisis occurs.

  • GAC has secured TB ongoing funding to reinforce consular and emergency management surge capacity and improve agility to deploy these trained resources to missions and abroad and at headquarters, when required, to bolster an emergency response.
  • The TB funding approved in December 2022 will further bolster Ottawa-based surge resources by enabling the creation of a standing Emergency Response Team that will be deployable 24/7 to stand-up a GAC emergency response.
  • New funding will augment GAC’s capacity and capability to train and deploy surge resources in order to better respond to emergencies.

Recommendation 5: GAC to allocate Canada’s fair share of funding toward the UN humanitarian appeals for Afghanistan, with funding being increased should needs increase.

Category: Humanitarian funding and economic stability

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC engages with humanitarian organizations such as UN, Red Cross Movement, and NGOs in order to provide a needs-based response to humanitarian crises. Funding decisions are guided by consolidated humanitarian appeals, in particular annual UN Humanitarian Response Plans (HRPs).

The Afghanistan HRP for 2022 included USD 4.4B in financial requirements. The 2023 one has not been released but is expected to include USD 4.6B in financial requirements.

  • In 2022, Canada provided $143.4M in humanitarian assistance to help meet the emergency needs of the most vulnerable people, including women and girls, in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.
  • Canada was the 5th largest single-country donor to the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan.

Recommendation 6: GAC to support trusted orgs whose primary focus is vulnerable populations, while ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations in Afghanistan on basis of need.

Category: Humanitarian funding and economic stability

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC provides emergency assistance through experienced humanitarian organizations such as the UN, Red Cross Movement, and NGOs.

Canada’s humanitarian assistance is explicitly guided by its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

  • In 2022, Canada’s humanitarian response in Afghanistan was delivered through experienced organizations such as OCHA, WFP, UNICEF, IOM, UNHCR, and the Red Cross Movement.
  • In 2022, Canada provided $143.4M with a focus on responding to the diverse needs of the poorest and most marginalized in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries, including through much-needed food assistance, health services, emergency shelter, and protection services for vulnerable populations of all ages, abilities, genders, ethnicities, and religions.
  • Canada’s humanitarian assistance is explicitly guided by its FIAP. Organizations must integrate gender equality throughout project cycles, including through the collection of sex-disaggregated data.

Recommendation 7: GAC to monitor humanitarian environment in Afghanistan, and take action if humanitarian assistance is being impeded or that the de facto authorities are limiting the roles of women humanitarian actors.

Category: Humanitarian funding and economic stability

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC actively engages with humanitarian organizations in Afghanistan, including UN agencies, Red Cross Movement, and NGOs, in order to monitor the humanitarian operating context, including cases of interference in humanitarian assistance.

  • Canada closely monitors the humanitarian operational context through humanitarian organizations on the ground, including UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement, and NGOs.
  • Canada continues to actively engage with the international community, including humanitarian organizations and other donors across several fora, to support a coordinated and principled response to the Taliban’s interference in humanitarian assistance, including the recent restrictions against women working in NGOs in Afghanistan. These efforts are supported at all levels, including by Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.

Recommendation 8: The GoC work with its allies and international financial institutions in support of Afghanistan’s economic stability in a way that is focused on helping the Afghan people.

Category: Humanitarian funding and economic stability

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC works closely with UN agencies, international organizations, allies, and likeminded donors to provide support to the Afghan people.

The GoC will continue to engage with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, UN organizations and other donors, providing guidance and input to the development of policies and projects in Afghanistan, and ensuring a focus on helping the Afghan people.

  • The GoC has continued to work with its allies and international financial institutions to promote economic stability in Afghanistan via our support to the Afghan people.
  • Our partners have continued to deliver basic services in several key sectors directly tied to economic stability, including healthcare, education, and food security.
  • The GoC remains an active participant in donor coordination forums and is working closely with our allies to create solutions that support medium and long-term stability within Afghanistan.

Recommendation 9: The GoC implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2615.

Category: Terrorist financing and Criminal Code restrictions (UNSCR Implementation)

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

With regard to the UN-mandated sanctions, under the Regulations Implementing the UN Resolutions on Taliban, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida (UNAQTR), individuals and entities may submit a request to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue a certificate authorizing them to carry out activities that would otherwise be prohibited by UN-mandated sanctions.

The certificate process helps to mitigate potential unintended consequences of UN-mandated sanctions, including by giving the Minister of Foreign Affairs the ability to issue a certificate for humanitarian reasons, consistent with UNSCR 2615. GAC will further review the language of the UNAQTR and will consider measures, including legislative options, as well as amendments to the UNAQTR.

Another regime to address terrorist financing is found in the Criminal Code. To ensure that the delivery of humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs to vulnerable people in Afghanistan, in accordance with UNSCR 2615, can continue without risking criminal liability, the GoC will consider measures, including legislative options.

  • The Regulations Implementing the UN Resolutions on Taliban, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida is a separate instrument by which Canada implements its UN obligation to sanction certain listed individuals and entities.
  • According to these regulations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs must issue the certificate if the Security Council did not intend that the activity be prohibited or if the Security Council, the 1988 Sanctions Committee or the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Quaida Sanctions Committee, as the case may be, has approved the activity in advance.
  • On March 9, 2023, the GoC introduced a bill into Parliament which would amend the Criminal Code to create an authorization regime to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, healthcare services, education, human rights programming, support to livelihoods, resettlement, immigration processing, safe passage activities, and other government operations.
  • The GoC is also actively considering amending Canada’s UNA regulations to give effect to the humanitarian exceptions

Recommendation 10: The GoC ensure that Canadian organizations have the clarity and assurances needed to deliver humanitarian assistance without fear of prosecution for violating Canada’s anti-terrorism laws.

Category: Terrorist financing and Criminal Code restrictions

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC will consider measures, including legislative options, to address the need for exemptions for some Canadian organizations seeking to conduct humanitarian and other essential activities in regions controlled by a terrorist group and Canadian officials who assist them while avoiding the legal risk of committing a terrorist financing offence.

  • On March 9, 2023, the GoC introduced a bill into Parliament which would amend the Criminal Code to create an authorization regime to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, healthcare services, education, human rights programming, support to livelihoods, resettlement, immigration processing, safe passage activities, and other government operations.
  • The new authorization(s) will provide certainty for Canadians that they will be shielded from the risk of criminal liability for the activities covered by the authorization.

Recommendation 11: The GoC review the anti-terrorism financing provisions under the Criminal Code and urgently take any legislative steps necessary to ensure those provisions do not unduly restrict legitimate humanitarian action.

Category: Terrorist financing and Criminal Code restrictions

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

In order to protect principled humanitarian action, the GoC will consider measures, including legislative options. In so doing, the GoC will balance the need to maintain strong anti-terrorism financing provisions with the need to allow for Canadian and international organizations to deliver impartial humanitarian assistance without undue legal risk.

  • On March 9, 2023, the GoC introduced a bill into Parliament which would amend the Criminal Code to create an authorization regime to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, healthcare services, education, human rights programming, support to livelihoods, resettlement, immigration processing, safe passage activities, and other government operations.

Recommendation 12: The GoC advocate for the end of the UNSC exemption on the travel ban for Taliban leaders.

Category: Engagement with the de facto Taliban authority

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The travel ban is implemented and overseen by the UNSC Committee established pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1988 (2011), which is mandated to consider and decide upon notifications and requests for exemptions from these measures. Canada is not a member of the UNSC or its subsidiary bodies, such as the UNSC Committee, which meet in closed sessions inaccessible to Canadian diplomat observers.

The GoC will continue to engage individual Security Council members in regard to upcoming decisions by the UNSC Committee related to exemptions to the travel ban.

  • On August 25, 2022, exemptions to travel bans on 13 Taliban officials subject to sanctions under UNSC Resolution 1988 expired. No travel ban exemptions are in effect.
  • Canada is not a member of the UNSC, and does not have access to the proceedings of the UNSC 1988 Sanctions Committee.

GAC continues to monitor developments, and will engage with individual UNSC members on an as-needed basis to discuss decisions of the Committee related to exemptions to the travel ban.

Recommendation 13: The GoC continue to insist that girls and women throughout Afghanistan have permanent access to all levels of education.

Category: Engagement with the de facto Taliban authority

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC continues to press the Taliban to uphold the right to education for girls and boys. In all of the GoC’s engagements with the Taliban, women’s rights are central to every conversation.

The GoC has been working with the international community in responding to the restrictions on women and girls imposed by the Taliban, and in ensuring that the gains made since 2001 in improving access to quality education are not lost. This is accomplished through cooperation with likeminded countries and through Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.

  • Canada has been vocal in expressing its unreserved condemnation of decision by the Taliban not to allow Afghan girls to access education beyond grade 6.
  • Canada has joined international partners and allies in coordinated messaging to demand that the rights of access to education for Afghan women and girls be respected.
  • Canada remains actively engaged in calling upon the Taliban, both directly in meetings involving our Special Representative for Afghanistan, and in concert with partners and allies in multilateral fora, to uphold the basic rights of women and girls to access education at all levels.

Recommendation 14: The GoC’s special envoy insist on being able to communicate with Afghan civil society organizations and women leaders who are in Afghanistan, without them facing any risk of reprisals.

Category: Engagement with the de facto Taliban authority

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC has been engaging with and advocating for civil society actors, including women’s groups, in Afghanistan by finding innovative ways to safely monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

The GoC has been a leading voice internationally coordinating engagement with the Taliban that urges them to adhere to and protect the fundamental rights of all Afghans. This coordination and advocacy has been accomplished through direct messages delivered to Taliban representatives in Doha via Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, the UN General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, the G7 and G20, and joint ministerial statements.

  • Canada continues to strongly advocate for the full realization of Afghan women’s and girls’ rights at every opportunity.
  • Canada pursues this advocacy through: its Special Representative for Afghanistan in Doha, who conveys these priorities directly to Taliban officials; joint ministerial statements with likeminded allies and partners; Canada’s Permanent Representatives at the UN in New York and Geneva; Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security; and indirectly through our support to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan.

Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and other senior Canadian officials consult with a broad range of Afghan women leaders and human rights defenders, both inside and outside of Afghanistan, in order to hear their voices directly and to inform future efforts to promote human rights.

Recommendation 16: The GoC engage with countries that neighbour Afghanistan to ensure that Afghan nationals who are eligible for Canada’s special programs have safe passage.

Category: Safe passage to Canada for Afghan refugees (diplomatic engagement)

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC continues to engage with a wide range of partners, including regional and likeminded governments, in order to secure safe passage for Afghans who are eligible for Canada’s immigration programs.

For example, since the beginning of the crisis, the GoC, including Canada’s High Commission in Pakistan, has maintained an active and constructive dialogue with the Government of Pakistan on issues related to safe passage for vulnerable Afghans.

The GoC continues to advocate in a variety of multilateral fora, including the G7, the UN, and through regular and sustained dialogue led by Canada’s SRFA based in Doha. Additionally, at every opportunity, Canada calls on the Taliban to respect international obligations and to allow Afghans safe passage out of Afghanistan.

  • Safe passage operations and related engagement are ongoing and can’t be fully disclosed to ensure the integrity of the negotiations with partners, and safety and security of affected individuals.
  • Since the tabling of the GR, GAC and IRCC continue to engage with a wide range of partners, including regional and likeminded governments, to secure safe passage for Afghans who are eligible for Canada’s immigration programs. Progress to date includes:
    • Continued close cooperation with partners in advancing safe passage initiatives
    • Active negotiations with a number of regional partners to establish staging areas to facilitate the resettlement process of Canada-bound refugees.
  • As a result of this cooperation, as well as engagement with regional partners, NGOs, and private sector service providers, the GoC has resettled 28,470 Afghans refugees as of February 25, 2023.

Recommendation 17: That IRCC waive biometric and other documentation requirements, for extended family members of former interpreters and collaborators. And enhancing access to biometric collection.

Category: Safe passage to Canada for Afghan refugees (Biometrics (IRCC lead))

The Government of Canada agrees with this recommendation.

The GoC agrees with enhancing biometric collection capacity in third countries, and has already done so. IRCC has also implemented a multi-stage approach to security screening that includes enhanced biographic collection while clients are still in Afghanistan.

Given that identity verification via biometric collection is an integral component of the immigration process, the GoC disagrees with the recommendation to waive biometric requirements.

  • Given the challenges and risks associated with the establishment of in-country biometric screening capacity in Afghanistan, IRCC has implemented a multi-stage approach to security screening. Under this modified approach, initial admissibility screening can be conducted while clients are in Afghanistan, followed by full admissibility screening, utilizing biometrics, once clients arrive in a third country.
  • With the help of partners in the region, the GoC is working to support the movement of clients to third countries, where we have bolstered existing biometrics capacity, so that we may complete security screening and enable travel to Canada.

The GoC will continue to work with multiple partners to explore potential options for biometrics collection in Afghanistan.

Recommendation 18: GAC to assemble a whole-of-government team, including DND to help bring Afghans to safety.

Category: Safe passage to Canada for Afghan refugees (collaboration)

The Government of Canada agrees in principle with this recommendation.

GAC, IRCC, and DND/CAF have been closely collaborating since the outset of the crisis in Afghanistan to ensure that Government objectives relating to its commitment to welcome at least 40,000 Afghan refugees by 2024 are met in a timely and well-coordinated fashion.

In the lead up to the announcements of the SIM program in July 2021, IRCC, GAC and DND/CAF rapidly established teams dedicated to the resettlement of Afghans. Since then, the teams have been in regular communication, collaborating on key issues, standing up various interdepartmental working groups as required, and providing surge capacity when needed.

  • Since the outset of the crisis, GAC, IRCC and DND/CAF, along with other relevant departments, have been working together to bring as many Afghans as possible to safety and this collaboration is ongoing.
  • The three departments still have teams dedicated to the resettlement of Afghans.

Collaboration is at the working, management and senior management level; for example, weekly meetings are held between GAC and IRCC officials to share information and ensure that open lines of communication concerning ongoing resettlement operations are active.

Recommendation 19: The GoC work with allied countries and NGOs like Aman Lara, which can operate in Afghanistan, to help confirm identities in Afghanistan and bring Afghans to safety.

Category: Safe passage to Canada for Afghan refugees (partnerships)

The Government of Canada agrees in principle with this recommendation.

To secure safe passage for those remaining in Afghanistan, IRCC is working with partners in the region, including state entities, international organizations, private sector entities, and local and regional NGOs to identify a path forward. A contribution agreement for emergency funding is currently in place between GAC and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), which works in collaboration with Aman Lara to facilitate safe passage and training.

The GoC recognizes the important role of NGOs on the ground, such as Veterans Transition Network (VTN), Aman Lara, and JHR, and will continue collaborating with them to help facilitate the safe passage of Afghans through third countries and onwards to Canada.

  • GAC, along with IRCC, continues to engage diplomatically with allied countries and regional governments to address challenges related to safe passage for Canada-bound Afghans.
    • There are significant challenges that Canada, as well as likeminded countries, face in resettling Afghan refugees, including:
    • Ever-changing requirements for entry and exit documentation at check-points and international crossings into third-countries
    • Lack of diplomatic presence on the ground
    • Risk of criminal liability to public servants and Canadian NGOs involved in providing support to Afghans
  • GAC has extended its project with JHR to May 2023, who is working with organizations such as Aman Lara to support safe passage.
  • As of February 1, 2023, GAC is aware that IRCC has approximately 8,600 clients who currently remain in Afghanistan, and the majority are those who supported the Government of Canada during our mission in Afghanistan, along with their families (i.e., SIMs).
  • Due to the situation on the ground, many of these clients are unable, or face great risks when attempting, to make the journey out of Afghanistan without assistance.
  • IRCC is working with organizations that can provide safe passage support out of Afghanistan, including Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), Aman Lara, and the Veterans Transition Network (VTN), to enable their life-saving work to continue.

Recommendation 20:

GAC to continue funding organizations like Aman Lara, and expand the use of those funds to include temporary accommodations for Afghans.

Category: Safe passage to Canada for Afghans refugees (funding)

The Government of Canada agrees in principle with this recommendation.

GAC’s emergency funding of Aman Lara, through its agreement with JHR, has been an exceptional response to the urgency and uniqueness of the crisis. JHR is a Canadian media development organization whose operations with public and private funds pivoted to supporting safe passage, accommodation and logistics support, and providing training to SIM clients, journalists, human rights defenders, peacebuilders and their families in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. This contribution agreement has helped support the safe passage of thousands of Afghans to neighbouring countries for onward travel to Canada.

GoC works closely with the IOM on Canada’s refugee programs around the world. In many locations, the IOM is Canada’s service provider for immigration medical exams, temporary accommodations in advance of departure, and transportation logistics.

  • The current project with JHR supports logistical support and training
  • The GoC, including GAC and IRCC, works closely with organizations internationally to advance its commitment of welcoming at least 40,000 Afghan refugees by the end of 2023. We will continue ongoing efforts to engage with a wide range of partners, including NGOs and private sector service providers, to address challenges related to securing safe passage for Afghan nationals who are eligible for Canada’s immigration programs.
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