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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 10:25:02 a.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for putting forward the amendment that puts the onus on the government and not the aid organizations to make that determination. As the hon. member knows, the original bill required aid organizations to determine by themselves whether it was a geographic region, for example, that was under the control of terrorists. There were suggestions put forward that a list be created. However, these things change so quickly on the ground, and now, thanks to the hon. member's amendment, the onus is on the Minister of Public Safety to inform organizations. For example, if an organization is working in Nigeria and the area falls under the control of a terrorist group, the onus would be on the public safety minister to inform that organization. I think that, because of the process we had at committee and the collaborative nature of our work with all parties, the bill would give aid organizations the certainty that they require. This will make it easier for them to be able to deliver development aid in those countries.
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Context: House Hansard - 210 - Jun/9/23
Ms. Rachel Blaney (North Island—Powell River, NDP)
  • Jun/9/23 1:19:24 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member's passion and her years of experience, and I certainly hope the people in this place are listening. I spent many years of my life working in a non-profit organization to support newcomers coming to Canada. One of the things I found very liberating about the work we did is that we were able to get on the ground quickly and respond to issues as they arose. Being funded by different levels of government, they were often slow and not able to do that work, so our work was precious. When I heard her speech, I could see very clearly that it is the same thing. Not having the links to terrorism defined really prevents them from being able to do their work effectively. When we have them figuring out where they can and cannot go, it keeps adding burdens, and every burden we add means that lives cannot be saved. I am wondering if the member can talk about how quickly these civil society organizations can move and what the barriers are when government adds these extra duties.
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Context: House Hansard - 210 - Jun/9/23
Ms. Heather McPherson
  • Jun/9/23 1:20:35 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, my colleague from British Columbia is absolutely right. She really could not be more correct about these burdens added to organizations that are already underfunded. Remember, these are organizations facing a 15% cut in official international development assistance. These are the same organizations that have lived through decades of neglect, starting with Stephen Harper and continuing with the current government. These are organizations for which core funding was stopped, so they did not have the capacity to maintain staff and maintain the work. Every burden we add to that, every single thing we add to those organizations, means it is harder for them to do the work they need to do in the field. It is so much more difficult. I want to add, and I said it in my speech but I will say it again, that it is difficult for any non-profit organization to work with a single federal ministry, but to have to work with three is absurd.
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