As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada 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 February 2020 onwards, including in relation to its contingency planning and the information and assessments that informed those plans and decisions, and incorporates all departmental “after-action” analysis that has been completed, as well as the findings and recommendations from this study. Furthermore, that the Government of Canada, while protecting any security clearance requirements, share the full outcome of its review with all relevant departments and agencies, and summarize the review’s main findings in its response to this Special Committee’s report.

Recommendation 2

That, when signs point to an emerging crisis in another country that implicates Canada’s interests, the Government of Canada 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. That, to facilitate such crisis management efforts in the future, the Government of Canada confirm the roles and responsibilities of each department and minister, as well as the way in which allied and partner governments and non-governmental actors are to be engaged. Unless otherwise directed by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Global Affairs Canada are the lead minister and department for evacuation operations.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada creates an emergency mechanism ready to be deployed in the event of future humanitarian crises, which would allow the Minister to activate quickly, and according to need, various measures such as the lifting of biometric data requirements, the introduction of special visas, the establishment of refugee sponsorship programs, and the establishment of air gateways.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada ensure it has the ability to surge resources to relevant embassies and departments, and to reallocate personnel within those departments, as necessary, when conditions in another country that implicates Canada’s interests are deteriorating.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada instruct Global Affairs Canada to allocate–at minimum–Canada’s fair share of funding toward the United Nations humanitarian appeals for Afghanistan, with funding being increased should needs increase markedly.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada ensure, as part of its response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, that Global Affairs Canada supports trusted organizations whose primary focus is vulnerable populations, while also ensuring that its humanitarian assistance is reaching the most vulnerable populations in Afghanistan–of all ages, abilities, genders, ethnicities and religions–on the basis of need.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada ensure that Global Affairs Canada continues to monitor the humanitarian environment in Afghanistan, and that it take action with its partners in response to any credible reports that humanitarian assistance is being impeded or that the de facto authorities are limiting the roles of women humanitarian actors or the services and support they deliver.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada work with its allies and the international financial institutions in support of Afghanistan’s economic stability through an approach that is focused on helping the Afghan people.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada act immediately to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2615.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada act immediately to ensure that registered Canadian organizations have the clarity and assurances needed–such as carve-outs or exemptions–to deliver humanitarian assistance and meet basic needs in Afghanistan without fear of prosecution for violating Canada’s anti-terrorism laws.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada 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 that complies with international humanitarian principles and law.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada advocate for the end of the United Nations Security Council exemption on the travel ban for Taliban leaders.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada continue to insist that girls and women throughout Afghanistan have permanent access to all levels of education.

Recommendation 14

That, as a condition of Canada’s ongoing engagement with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities, the Government of Canada’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. Furthermore, that the Government of Canada, in its response to this report, detail how it is monitoring, supporting, and advocating for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issues single journey travel documents to Afghan nationals who are eligible for Canada’s special programs, and that it assure third countries that those Afghan nationals will have safe passage to Canada.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada engage with countries that neighbour Afghanistan to ensure that Afghan nationals who are eligible for Canada’s special programs have safe passage.

Recommendation 17

That, in consultation with the Government of Canada’s national security agencies, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada waive biometric and other documentation requirements, in the minimum for Department of National Defence-referred applications and extended family members of former interpreters and collaborators, while simultaneously enhancing access to biometric collection sites in third countries, including those that neighbour Afghanistan.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada instruct Global Affairs Canada to assemble a whole-of-government team, including the Department of National Defence, to help bring Afghans to safety.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada work with allied countries and non-governmental organizations, like Aman Lara, which can operate in Afghanistan, to help confirm identity in Afghanistan and help bring Afghans to safety.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada, continue funding organizations like Aman Lara, and that it expand the use of those funds to include temporary accommodations for Afghans.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is promptly acknowledging the receipt of applications, by sending emails containing unique client identifiers for those accepted to the program and rejection emails to those who do not qualify, while also ensuring prompt responses to queries and follow-up requests.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada dedicates more staff and hires new staff to process applications for Canada’s special programs for Afghan nationals.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada does whatever is necessary to ensure that applications under the special immigration measures (SIM) for Afghan nationals with an enduring connection to Canada are being processed immediately.

Recommendation 24

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada expands the categories of individuals who are deemed vulnerable, such as women fearing gender-based persecution, to ensure that its humanitarian program for Afghan nationals is as inclusive as possible.

Recommendation 25

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada broadens the range of referral partners it is using to resettle Afghan nationals to include trusted non-governmental organizations that are active in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries and that have knowledge of the applicant populations.

Recommendation 26

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada waives the requirement for a UNHCR refugee status determination for Afghan nationals, as it has done in other situations of mass displacement, including Syria, to ensure that Canadian civil society can sponsor vulnerable Afghans in groups of five or in community groups.

Recommendation 27

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada waives the requirement for Afghans to be in a third country to be eligible for the special immigration measures.

Recommendation 28

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada processes immediately the applications submitted for extended family members of Canada’s former Afghan interpreters.

Recommendation 29

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada expands the extended family reunification stream to other Afghans.

Recommendation 30

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reduces the paperwork required from Afghan nationals with an enduring and significant tie to Canada, and their families, and waives requirements for certain documents that are not possible to obtain from Afghan authorities, such as marriage certificates and birth certificates, only after reviewing the risk of human trafficking of children.

Recommendation 31

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada removes the caps on Sponsorship Agreement Holders for Afghan refugees.

Recommendation 32

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides the Resettlement Assistance Program and other year-long income programs for SIM applicants to the extended family reunification stream for former interpreters.

Recommendation 33

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides evacuation flights for Afghans in third countries, except for Iran.

Recommendation 34

That the Government of Canada instruct Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to ensure that the family members of former interpreters are provided support for their accommodation in third countries.

Recommendation 35

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducts an internal review of its response to refugee crises including processing times, workforce capabilities, and communications with applicants, refugee sponsors, and other organizations such as non-governmental organizations and refugee referral partners. While protecting national security, the review should be shared with relevant departments and agencies including Global Affairs Canada, National Defence, and the Canadian Armed Forces. The main findings should be communicated in writing to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.

Recommendation 36

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada exercises its authority under section 25 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to create a special immigration measure to urgently resettle at least 300 pre-identified LGBTQI+ Afghan refugees as Government Assisted Refugees and that this be in addition to the quota for the resettlement of 40,000 Afghans.

Recommendation 37

That the Government of Canada ensure that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada allows Afghans to access study permits, including individuals who have obtained full scholarships or are continuing their studies, as well as economic mobility pathway pilots and economic immigration streams, without assessing the intention of returning to their country of origin.