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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 50
Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 11:06 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.
Presiding
Ali Ehsassi, Chair (Liberal)

• Francesco Sorbara for Hon. Hedy Fry (Liberal)
• Ziad Aboultaif for Hon. Michael D. Chong (Conservative)
• Brad Redekopp for Garnett Genuis (Conservative)
Library of Parliament
• Allison Goody, Analyst
• Billy Joe Siekierski, Analyst
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee commenced its study of the reopening of the Lachin Corridor.

Motion

Stéphane Bergeron moved, — That the committee report to the House that it calls on the Azerbaijani authorities, in accordance with its obligations as a party to the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020, and following the appeal made by the Government of Canada on December 14, 2022, to reopen the Lachin Corridor and guarantee freedom of movement in order to avoid any deterioration in the humanitarian situation.

Debate arose thereon.

Amendment

Robert Oliphant moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “the humanitarian situation” the following: “, and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Government table a comprehensive response to the report”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Robert Oliphant and it was agreed to.

It was agreed, — That the motion, as amended, be adopted.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the committee report to the House that it calls on the Azerbaijani authorities, in accordance with its obligations as a party to the trilateral declaration of November 9, 2020, and following the appeal made by the Government of Canada on December 14, 2022, to reopen the Lachin Corridor and guarantee freedom of movement in order to avoid any deterioration in the humanitarian situation, and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
• Jess Dutton, Director general, Middle East
• Stephen Salewicz, Director General, International Humanitarian Assistance
• Tara Carney, Director, International Humanitarian Assistance Operations
• Andrew Turner, Director, Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division
Catholic Near East Welfare Association
• Peter Vaccari, President
• Adriana Bara, National Director
Humanitarian Coalition
• Richard Morgan, Executive Director
Islamic Relief Canada
• Usama Khan, Chief Executive Officer
Oxfam Canada
• André Charlebois, Humanitarian Project Manager, Oxfam-Québec
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, February 7, 2023, the committee held a briefing on the humanitarian crisis following a series of earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

Stephen Salewicz made a statement and, with Jess Dutton, answered questions.

Heather McPherson gave notice of the following motion:

That the committee report the following to the House: The committee calls on the Government of Canada, without delay, to amend sections of the Criminal Code currently preventing Canadian humanitarian organizations from delivering aid in Afghanistan and similar contexts without fear of prosecution.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 12:01 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:11 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Monsignor Peter Vaccari, Richard Morgan, Usama Khan and André Charlebois made statements and, with Adriana Bara, answered questions.

At 1:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Ariane Gagné-Frégeau
Clerk of the committee