Foreign Affairs: Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar
MP Cheryl Hardcastle (Windsor—Tecumseh) questioned what the government has done recently with respect to the Rohingya crisis, given that the final report on this issue by Bob Rae, Canada’s special envoy to Myanmar, calls for Canada’s increased leadership in providing humanitarian aid.

Somaliland
MP Chandra Ayra (Nepean, ON) noted the recent election of Muse Bihi Abdi as the president of Somaliland. MP Ayra commended Somaliland for their efforts to address gender based violence and the state’s commitment to reduce sexual violence. MP Ayra also thanked the Somali-Canadian community in Ottawa for its hard work and contributions to the community and for continuing to help foster the relationship between Canada and Somalia including Somaliland.

Foreign Affairs - Arms sales to Saudi Arabia
MP Helene Laverdiere (Laurier-Sainte-Marie, QC), brought attention to the issue of the multi-billion dollar Canadian arms deal with Saudi Arabia, which includes the export of many armored assault vehicles. She stated that the deal makes Canada complicit in the human rights violations that Saudi Arabia is engaged in, both against its own civilians and in Yemen and questioned how the Canadian government can deem their foreign policy to be both feminist and progressive if they continue selling arms to Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affirmed that Canada condemns any and all human rights violations and the issuance of the export permits for the arms sales to Saudi Arabia comply with Canadian policies particularly with respect to human rights.

February 12 – February 16, 2018

Protest in Iran
MP O’Toole (Durham) raised the issue of the Prime Minister’s silence regarding the death of a Canadian professor, Seyed-Emami, in an Iranian prison on the weekend and regarding the protest in Iran which Amnesty International confirmed led thousands to be imprisoned. Prime Minister Trudeau stated that the government has clearly stated their desire for an independent investigation into the death of Seyed-Emami. MP Genuis (Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan) called for the Prime Minister to fully support the cause of the protesters. Prime Minister Trudeau stated that the government is deeply troubled by the deaths and detentions of protesters during protests in Iran and said Canada rallied more countries than ever before at the United Nations in November on a resolution calling on Iran to comply with its international human rights obligations.