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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 210

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 9, 2023 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 210 - Jun/9/23
Ms. Pam Damoff
  • Jun/9/23 10:27:20 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that the NDP will not be able to support this bill. The bill was made through compromise. I feel that it would allow aid organizations to deliver the aid they need across the country. We listened to the New Democratic Party and included a humanitarian aid carve-out, which was not originally part of the bill. I think that is an example of listening, not just to the New Democratic Party but to organizations like Doctors Without Borders, which said that it was critical. I know that other organizations, such as the Red Cross and World Vision Canada, also wanted this humanitarian carve-out. We listened, and unanimously, with all parties in the House, we adopted the NDP amendment that makes the important distinction that, under humanitarian law, aid organizations could deliver humanitarian aid, even in places like Afghanistan, without getting an authorization beforehand. The authorization regime would only apply to development assistance, and we feel that it reaches the proper balance and is a way for aid organizations to deliver aid to the most vulnerable in the world.
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