Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Issue 6 - Evidence, April 21, 2009
OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 5:50 p.m. to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to Foreign relations generally.
Senator Consiglio Di Nino (Chair) in the chair.
[English]
The Chair: I would like to welcome all to this meeting of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
The African group of diplomats requested an appearance before our committee in order to discuss Canada-Africa relations specifically on the following matters: the global economic crisis and its impact on Africa, Canadian investment in Africa and Canadian development assistance to Africa.
This committee has a special interest in Canada-Africa relations. Two years ago, on February 15, 2007, the committee released its report entitled Overcoming 40 Years of Failure: A New Roadmap for Sub-Saharan Africa.
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade began its study on Africa in December 2004. The members heard testimony from more than 400 experts in Canada, Africa and Europe. Furthermore, they travelled to Africa for discussions and to observe the situation in the African countries.
[English]
Appearing before the committee today is a group of ambassadors from a number of countries. I hope that I will not do dishonour to your names as I attempt to pronounce them: from Benin, His Excellency Honoré Théodore Ahimakin; from Cameroon, Anu'a-Gheyle Solomon Azoh-Mbie; from Egypt, Shamel Elsayed Nasser; from Gabon, André William Anguile; from Kenya, Jane Muthoni Miano; from Rwanda, Edda Mukabagwiza; from South Africa, Abraham Sokhaya Nkomo; from Togo, Thésèse Lomba; from Tunisia, Mouldi Sakri; and from Burkina Faso, Juliette Bonkoungou. I left her introduction until the end because I asked Her Excellency how long she has been an ambassador to Canada. She replied quickly by saying that she has been here for six winters.
Welcome to all of you. It is a pleasure to have you all here.
On a personal note, I wish to give our condolences to Ambassador Bawoumondom Amelete from Togo. I understand that your mother-in-law just passed away. We extend our sympathy to you on your loss.
[Translation]
I would like to welcome you all to the Senate. We will be hearing a presentation by Her Excellency Juliette Bonkoungou, the Ambassador of Burkina Faso, and after the presentation, committee members will be asking some questions. Your Excellency, you now have the floor.
[English]
We also have with us, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dala Peng. Welcome.
Please proceed.
[Translation]
Her Excellency Juliette Bonkoungou, Ambassador of Burkina Faso: Mr. Chairman, I would like to apologize for my colleagues who are not here today. They are part of our delegation, but for various reasons, some of them are in the United States or in Togo, including our colleague with the most years of service, who is still unable to return from his country because of family problems.
Mr. Chairman, on behalf of my colleagues from the African group of delegates, who represent the accredited embassies and diplomatic missions in Canada, and also speaking on my own behalf, I would like to thank you for inviting us to share our views with you on the partnership between Canada and Africa. It is a pleasure to be here this afternoon.
Before I begin my remarks, I would like to state in the most vigorous of terms that we have come here this afternoon as friends, friends who are convinced that Canada plays an important role in Africa. We have come to share our convictions and questions with you, in the hopes of contributing to a renewed partnership that will be beneficial to both us and to your own beautiful country. In the history of any friendship, there are times when friends must take a few additional moments to communicate, to nourish a new dialogue so as to strengthen and reinvigorate the friendship. Those are our objectives for this afternoon's meeting.
Africa's diplomatic relations with Canada go back many years, and in the case of most of our States, these diplomatic relations date back to the period of time after they gained independence in the 1960s. Today, most of our 53 States maintain diplomatic and/or trade and business relations with Canada. But what does Canada represent in the eyes of Africa?
From Africa's point of view, Canada is a country of friendship, a developed nation that is our friend, without a colonial past, a multicultural and bilingual nation, a country that cares about peace and security throughout the world. We view Canada as a loyal partner and friend that is able to remain independent of even its best allies when its own values are at stake. Canada understands the challenges of Africa, because Canada is experiencing several challenges of the same nature, although not on the same scale. Like many African nations, Canada and its economy depend greatly on commodity markets. Many regions within Canada produce only one single commodity, which explains why these regions sense very sharply just how dependent they are. The people of Canada express their solidarity with vulnerable groups in a tangible manner, both at home and in other parts of the world. Canada knows how to intervene in an intelligent, careful, restrained and dexterous manner, through the public sector, so that markets operate smoothly, and this is in the public interest. We Africans see Canada as one of the very great nations of the world, a close knit partner of Canada. Canadian companies and Canadian institutions are smaller and less anonymous than those of the other global economic powers.
It is worthwhile to remind ourselves that in international forums, Canada stood shoulder to shoulder with Africa on several occasions, defending African interests. In particular, this is the Canada that Africa is familiar with, the nation that Africa works with, the nation that Africa wishes to travel with along the path toward progress.
When we touch on these issues, we think of the embassy closures in a number of countries, the setting of priorities amongst countries receiving Canadian assistance, followed by a reduction in the number of countries on the lists of priorities, as well as the figures that indicate that Canada is directing less development assistance to Africa and more to other regions of the world. Indeed, according to a number of Canadian sources, such as the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, when Canada had the list of 25 countries that it focused its efforts on, 70 per cent of Canada's bilateral aid went to Africa. With a list of 20 countries, it is expected that this share will fall to 35 per cent after the year 2010.
These trends that we are seeing are all the more incomprehensible, for they come at a time when new powers such as Brazil, China and India, are all at our front door, competing with one another to invest large amounts and thus carve out a spot for themselves in our countries. Is it possible that Canada, a nation that has always been our friend, has decided for some reason known only to itself, to let others take their place and ignore the many studies that both international financial institutions and the private sector have done, studies that all conclude that Africa will play an important geostrategic role in the upcoming decade, with a population of 1.5 billion people by 2020, 60 per cent of whom will be under the age of 25?
Nowadays, many Canadian firms are stepping up their investments in several sectors, mainly in the mining and infrastructure sectors, and are at an advantage in comparison with the competition. Moreover, despite a few small isolated areas where there are difficulties, better governance is being seen in most of our States, and in particular, we are seeing stronger democracies emerge, thanks to regular multi-party elections being held, and at times this has even led to different parties alternating in power, with peaceful transition periods.
Judicial systems in Africa are becoming more autonomous and are acquiring better tools. Civil societies are developing and are increasingly taking their rightful place, with greater freedom and media plurality emerging. Thanks to systems, programs and mechanisms such as Peer Review, the African Union's Peace and Security Council, the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa and the New Partnership for Africa's Development, economic and political governance is improving in Africa, thus creating great hope on the continent for development and peace. These undertakings represent major progress in the space of a few years for a continent that for many years was the theatre of all of the vile acts stemming from the Cold War and the resulting East-West clash.
In addition to mentioning the significant progress that Africa has made in terms of enhanced democracy and governance, I would also like to say a few words about the continent's vast mineral resources. Africa has tremendous natural resources, immense potential for generating solar energy, potential sources of hydroelectric power that represent between 30 and 40 per cent of the global total, significant oil and natural gas reserves, 97 per cent of the world's chromium, 85 per cent of the world's platinum, between 60 and 80 per cent of the world's gold and diamonds, 64 per cent of all manganese, more than 9 billion tons of high-concentration bauxite, major phosphate reserves and abundant flora and fauna. Unfortunately, the tsunami of the financial crisis could wipe out all efforts and mortgage all the opportunities that these resources represent. While an economic recovery and reform program had been started nearly everywhere on the continent, enabling the countries of Africa to achieve an average growth rate of 6 per cent per year from 2004 to 2008, this imported crisis is now going to halt the momentum. The growth rate will revert to 2.8 per cent, a level not seen since the year 2000. The rate of growth has been cut in half, which dashes any hope of improving per capita income, owing to demographic growth at the same rate. According to an estimate by the World Bank, the number of poor people, that is to say, those who live on the local equivalent of $1.25 per day, will increase by 10 per cent, bringing the total to 550 million people, with all of the consequences this entails for the people of Africa. Fewer resources mean fewer meals, fewer children going to school, and less care being provided.
This crisis may well wipe out businesses, mines, jobs and livelihoods. In Africa, as elsewhere, time is running out and decisions must be made urgently. Wealthy countries were able to amass, in record time, several hundreds of billions of dollars for their citizens and their businesses. Africa, as a collateral victim of a crisis that it neither wanted nor created, is asking for an infinitesimal portion of that amount, that is, 0.7 per cent of global GDP.
A recent study conducted by the African Development Bank evaluates Africa's needs at a minimum of $106 billion over two years, that is 2009-2010, merely to restore growth. But in order to truly kick-start the economy and invest the 7 per cent required for basic infrastructure and the reduction of poverty by 50 per cent by 2015, $247 billion are needed for the period in question. This is one quarter of the amount announced by President Obama to bail out the United States. It is the equivalent of 10 per cent of China's currency reserves. We believe this is not too much to ask of the international community as a whole.
We want our long time friend, Canada, to resume its role of the world's social conscience. That is why we are proposing that the Canadian government organize a roundtable with a view to adapting its assistance policy for Africa. Participants could include representatives of the African group of diplomats in Ottawa, members of the Senate and House of Commons foreign affairs committees, senior officials from CIDA and from Foreign Affairs and International Trade who are responsible for Africa, NGOs, resource people, university and college representatives and private-sector representatives present in Africa. The goal would be to reflect on ways and means to reactivate the Canada Fund for Africa and the possible signing of tax treaties between Canada and Africa, for those countries that do not have one, with a view to facilitating trade with African countries as is the case with the United States. A timeline could also be established to achieve the objective of 0.7 per cent of GDP for Canada, and, at the political level, to set up a Canada-African Union forum.
As was mentioned earlier, we certainly understand that each country chooses its policies based on its means, its constraints and its priorities. However, we would like to point out that Canada, like other developed countries, pledged at the United Nations Summit in Copenhagen to increase its overseas development assistance to 0.7 per cent. Today however, with ODA of only 0.29 per cent, Canada ranks 16th out of 22 donor countries and is still very far from that objective. According to the United Nations, the millennium development goals that target poverty reduction by 50 per cent by 2015 will not be achieved unless the various donor countries, including Canada, honour that pledge. The same experts state that at the current pace, it will take Africa 130 years to reduce poverty levels by half, which brings us to the year 2150.
We appreciate Canada's significant efforts in Afghanistan, Haiti and Africa, especially Darfur. However, today even more so than in the past, we must recognize the situation for what it is.
Prosperity, peace and security are of the same brotherhood. They support each other mutually and grow together. That is why it is very important to work together with our longstanding friend to eradicate any manifestations of violence on our continent, including hostage takings and piracy. Some people believe that the business world and development and security matters are separate, but that is false: they all go hand in hand.
We are not here this evening to ask for charity. We have come to share with a partner. We feel that Canada's decision to benefit other nations should not be made at the expense of Africa.
Despite this, we have been encouraged by the understanding and solidarity of Canadians in the fields of politics, media and civil society, including former Prime Minister, the Honourable Joe Clark, who wrote an article in the Globe and Mail. We remain optimistic and we hope that Canada and Africa will maintain their mutually productive relationship in order to meet the challenges of poverty reduction and security promotion.
Canada's commitment to Africa, which has always been essential, must stand the test of time and reflect its values, most of which are consistent with those of Africa. That is why, although we are aware of the new policy and the ambiguous message conveyed to Africa, we remain confident and have faith in the assurances given by our partners at DFAIT and CIDA concerning contributions made by multilateral cooperation agencies. But without downplaying the importance of these contributions, we feel that Canada's deep-seated values and Africa's development issues and opportunities point to the need for a specific African policy on the part of Canada.
Last, to sum up, we want to see Canada resume its leadership role in Africa as part of a renewed and more strategic partnership, with a view to a win-win situation.
[English]
The Chair: Thank you, Your Excellency. I wish to apologize for the problems you had in accessing the Hill and the Parliament Buildings. We had the same problem. Unfortunately, there have been some issues that security forces have been dealing with. It has been an inconvenience for all of us. Please accept our apologies.
We will now go to questions and answers.
[Translation]
Senator Fortin-Duplessis: Welcome to our committee. I greatly appreciated your speech. I have a question to ask you because I have read a great deal on everything that is happening in Africa. We are moving more and more toward a free-trade system with many different countries.
Some African countries favour a union of African states with a central government, and a shared army and foreign policy. They state that a unified and cohesive continent would allow Africa to better position itself in the global economy. Recently, a Guinean writer, Tierno Monémembo, said during an interview — and I quote:
African integration is indispensable. We are a small country that is not at all viable on its own, either in terms of demographics or the economy. So we need to group our countries into large blocs. Without true integration, the black continent will not be able to stand up against the European Union, the United States, China or India. Alone, we are nothing. The population of Guinea is half that of Mexico City.
Do you think that with 53 countries, this unification will ever come to pass so that together you can form a bloc that is capable of measuring up to other countries?
[English]
The Chair: We will do that for now. If it gets to be overly late, we may put the questions together. For now, you and anyone else can comment. If we can keep the answers concise when appropriate, it would help ensure that we get in as many questions and answers as we can.
[Translation]
Ms. Bonkoungou: To respond to the senator's question, I would say that what we are trying to symbolize by coming here together and speaking with one voice, is our commitment to this union and this grouping. I can tell that today, most Africans are favourable to this project. But we know that elsewhere where unions have been formed, in the United States, for example, wars were fought to get where they are today. I live with you here in Canada. You are a federal country, but I know that there are problems. We believe that we will have to deal with the problems that this entails. But we are convinced that integration is the way to go.
Senator Fortin-Duplessis: Thank you.
His Excellency Mouldi Sakri, Ambassador of Tunisia: I wanted to answer the question as well because one year ago, I was Director General for Africa with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Tunis. I attended all the summits of the African Union and all the conferences of the cabinet of ministers. I was involved in the birth of the African Union and the Integration Movement of the African Continent. What I can tell you is that this integration is very real today and has been going on for a decade. The decision was made in 1999. There was, of course, a shift from the Organization for African Unity, which was an organization of sovereign States, toward the African Union in order to move ahead more quickly with economic, political, social and cultural integration across the continent.
Institutions were set up, and the President of the African Union is one of the heads of State elected by his peers. There is also the assembly of the heads of State, which meets twice a year, once in Addis-Abeba, and once in another African country, and they decide on African policy with regard to Africa and the rest of the world. There is also the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, which has become the body that manages conflict in Africa. This means that Africa has taken responsibility for its own problems regarding conflict resolution, peace and security.
As concerns integration, economic integration is done regionally. In Africa, there are five main regions, each with its own local integration tools, and these regions drive integration across the continent.
The African program for social and economic development is the main economic integration tool. NEPAD was created at the outset and presented to donor countries and partners, and it has now become part of the African Union's agenda.
Another integration component is the financial component. The heads of State of the African Union decided to create a single African currency and this initiative will become a reality in a few years. The African Union Central Bank, the African Monetary Fund and another legislative institution were created, namely, the pan-African Parliament which also drives integration in all areas. There is also the African Court of Justice and the African Human Rights Commission.
So then, all of these institutions are the tools of African integration.
In addition, there is the economic and social council, which brings together all representatives of African civil society. All African NGOs are elected each year and represented on this economic and social council.
So, Africa is well on the way to integration and there is no turning back. As noted in the background material, Africa is moving toward a government of the union that will oversee all the decisions made concerning the continent.
We are here today because we wish to develop a broader partnership between Africa and Canada, one that reflects the expectations and the current economic context, as part of this historic movement in the 21st century toward the creation of large blocs. We know that Canada belongs to a bloc, it is only normal.
That is why we want to propose a genuine partnership, a win-win situation for Canada, in which both parties will gain. We are confident that Canada is capable of achieving this important objective. As Madam Chair stated, Canada has no history of conflict with Africa. On the contrary, it is held in high esteem by the African people. We would welcome Canada as part of such a broad partnership.
We, diplomats who are accredited to this great nation, our friend, do not want Canada to remain on the sidelines of this movement in support of Africa. Canada must take its rightful place with other great powers in this partnership that benefits everyone. We are confident that this message will be heard by our friends who are certainly aware of the events and changes that are occurring. We want to convince you. Africa is not homogeneous. Some countries are still under construction, others are emerging from conflicts, and there still others are less advanced and require more assistance. Certain countries — in fact, the majority of African countries — have made considerable efforts in terms of economic development and deserve to be supported so that they can become developed countries once and for all. They would be worthy additions to the ranks of the developed countries.
We would like your support, because time is running out, as Madam Chair said, and we must win because we are all winners in this initiative. Thank you.
Senator Dawson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am happy to hear you today. It would not have been possible to have a representative from all African countries here before the committee. We believe that this problem must be addressed multilaterally with all African countries.
We invited you here today because we believe that we can establish a dialogue. Personally, I do not want to speak for the other members, I am prepared to collaborate throughout the entire process of establishing a roundtable.
Among the topics that were discussed at this stage of our report on Africa, NEPAD was probably the element that we supported most strongly. That is an approach where we decide among ourselves what the priorities should be and then we support them as partners.
In our opinion, peer review is the only way to ensure that countries can continue working together to improve their relations. We have excellent bilateral relations, whether it be with Tunisia or Burkina Faso. However, if Canada is to provide assistance, it must do so in a collective fashion for the continent as a whole.
Further to our study on Africa, there are many things we would have liked to do but could not. Notwithstanding the debate on the reports, the goal of the committee was to determine how we could come to Africa's assistance. It is certainly unfortunate that the current economic crisis is threatening some of the financial assistance for your country. Obviously, the crisis did not begin on your continent, but despite that, you have only the disadvantages of this crisis and you may suffer from it longer than us.
You talked about the roundtable. After hearing your testimony, we will have to make recommendations to this Senate and to the government. If you had only one request to make to this committee, what would it be?
Ms. Bonkoungou: It would be very simple. We are calling for a framework for the development of a genuine strategy for Africa as part of a renewed and win-win partnership. We want to hold discussions with you based on a global vision, that is, a vision that goes beyond official development assistance and takes into account other issues such as economics and trade. What are the problems in these areas and what assistance could Canada provide? The opinion of people in the private sector will also be required. In terms of private investments in Africa, what are the problems experienced by the business community? What can be done?
In truth, we hope to review our partnership so as to be able to give ourselves the tools we need to move forward. This review could be done with everyone's help.
That is my vision. For a long time, many people have praised Canada's place in the world, describing us as kind of a social conscience for the rest of the world. We hope that Canada will resume its role and in order for that to happen, it needs to send a strong signal at this point in time when the crisis is unfolding and threatening our economies, our rates of growth, and so forth.
His Excellency Honoré Théodore Ahimakin, Ambassador of Benin: Mr. Chairman, I think that if we have a single request to make this evening, it is to ask the Senate to adopt a resolution or a recommendation calling on the government, like other African partners throughout the industrialized world, to put in place a framework for cooperation with Africa. That is what we truly want.
If there were such a framework in place like the one we have with the United States, the European Union, Japan and China, we could review the problems that are occurring. This would also allow the Canadian government to review its policy on Africa. This is what we are talking about. Do we have an overall vision of how Canada can work in partnership with Africa? Everything else will follow: politics, the economy, trade, immigration, to mention only a few.
[English]
The Chair: Ambassador Nasser, you are being invited to make a comment.
His Excellency Shamel Elsayed Nasser, Ambassador of Egypt: I want to make a general comment. It is a great honour to be here. I hope that our message, the message of the African group, came out loud and clear as explained by the acting dean.
Let me try to summarize what we are trying to tell you. Our message is very simple. It can be summarized in three parts: First, we attach importance to our friendship with Canada; second, there is a lot at stake for Canada, for the African states and for the continent of Africa, and there is a lot to gain for both sides; third, we feel that this friendship needs a boost.
The senator asked: What can we do? It is important to keep this dialogue open between Africa, represented by the ambassadors here or in our capitals, and the Canadian authorities. There is no simple answer as to what we can do. Maximizing benefits for both sides is a long process.
While the world is witnessing this financial crisis, many regions in Africa, many countries, are still doing well and are still showing positive growth in spite of everything. This could be an opportunity for Canadian businesses, not just the government. The government can provide guarantees for investments, and so on, while it provides an environment that is conducive for this process, but it is important to raise awareness that Africa could represent an opportunity for Canadian businesses. Canadian firms are present already in Africa. They are doing very well in sectors like mining, for instance, where they are making profits in spite of the overall crisis in the rest of the world.
This is our message today: Let us keep this dialogue going. It is a long process. Hopefully, this is not just a one-time event that we are seeing.
The Chair: I will now give the floor to Senator Andreychuk, who also has a relationship with the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association.
Senator Andreychuk: I do. I had the pleasure of meeting with the ambassadors yesterday when the association met. I want to commend the ambassadors for their positive approach. Certain ambassadors expressed concerns about our change in official development assistance. I am very pleased to see that the ambassadors have come together with an African response and are looking to strengthen the Canadian-African relationship and to broaden and enrich that relationship for the benefit of Canada as well as individual African countries and Africa as a whole.
I have explored many of the issues with you. One of the concerns is this economic crisis. You have quite rightly pointed out what Canada has been doing in other countries to support their own businesses and citizens. We know that the struggle and the difficulty are felt even more so in your countries. I would like to hear a little more about what either the African Union, as a whole, or individual countries are doing with respect to the IMF, the World Bank and other multilateral institutions. Since Canada is supporting them with the hope that the benefit will filter through, have individual countries or has the African Union engaged in a dialogue with the World Bank and the IMF about strategies that would be helpful in Africa during this economic downturn?
I say that because I have seen one of your documents in which there was some question about Canada supporting the multilaterals as opposed to partnerships. I had understood that this was the direction; that is, the African Union was supporting the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the IMF. With the increased openness of the IMF and World Bank not sufficient yet but at least incorporating the voices from Africa within their own structures, I had thought that this would be a welcome addition. I want to know if it is a welcome addition and if it is helpful during this economic crisis at all.
[Translation]
Ms. Bonkoungou: What are our governments doing? Many of our governments have created special commissions. They have put in place tax incentives. They have provided targeted aid for various sectors, for example, in agriculture. They are supporting producers by subsidizing inputs and ensuring that the soil is fertile. They have adopted prudent regulations for the financial sectors. With regard to financial institutions such as the World Bank, they have also tried to create new instruments to support various countries. Nevertheless, the scarcity of resources internationally is being felt by African financial institutions, such as the ADB, which has led to the suspension of various works.
African governments have not stood idly by, they have adopted measures. My colleagues from Egypt, Tunisia and Gabon will no doubt want to add to what I am saying.
[English]
The Chair: Would you like to make a comment, Ambassador Anguile?
His Excellency André William Anguile, Ambassador of Gabon: It is a great opportunity for the whole of Africa to be here today to take part in this important meeting with our Canadian friends and partners.
At this stage, I have no comment aside from what has been said thus far on this particular question. I will probably intervene at a later stage.
The Chair: Does anyone wish to make a further comment?
[Translation]
Mr. Sakri: I would like to add my comments to those of the chair. Canada has done a lot multilaterally speaking. In 2007, I attended three meetings of OECD countries and African countries with regard to NEPAD, when I was Tunisia's representative at NEPAD. The point was made on several occasions in these multilateral forums that international organizations cannot do enough on their own to meet Africa's development needs. That is why Africans together have always focused on Africa's priorities and clearly stuck to them, particularly with regard to development. In terms of trade, you are well aware that the Doha round has hit an impasse.
So, Africa's complaints have not always been taken into consideration to date.
With regard to climate change, Africa is a continent beset by disasters, affected by and a victim of climate change. It has not caused these climate change problems, which have significantly hurt agriculture and farmers in our countries. Climate change has only compounded the scope of the famine and food problems across the continent.
There is the problem with the environment. In terms of climate change, you are well aware that, to date, multilateral forums have not yet solved the problems facing African nations. With regard to the environment, you are aware of the difficulties and disputes despite aid promises made to African countries for environmental purposes. Unfortunately, to date, Africa is lagging far behind and its needs are significant. Only one issue needs to be mentioned, I am talking about the fight against desertification. Twenty-five countries are grappling from this problem and they are the Sahara and Sahel countries. Together, they have formed an organization. Tunisia belongs to this organization and the major issue is the fight against desertification and saving lands already being developed by populations in the Sahel region and in areas bordering this vast desert. In terms of problems where a multilateral commitment has been made and where multilateral organizations have intervened, and Canada is part of this, unfortunately, not much progress is being made. That is why we believe that these issues cannot move forward without a true Africa-Canada framework with regard to Canada's role and where two fully committed parties could ask questions in areas and where Canada could take a lead role and affirm its leadership position in many areas of interest to donor countries and partners. If Canada plays a role in a multilateral framework, it would be bound by multilateral decisions. There would not be much latitude in terms of funding projects that ultimately could benefit Canada as well as Africa. That is why I want to stress the fact that we really want a political framework that would allow both parties to speak frankly, to identify their interests and to find common ground. I think that this is the appropriate forum.
In closing I want to say that there are three main axes that could underpin this partnership with Canada. There is the political axis which, I believe is missing in this relationship in general although it does exist with other major powers. So, why not with Canada? The African Union seems the best structure to ensure this high-level political cooperation.
The second axis in which Canada is investing significantly is peace and security throughout the world. Darfur and many regions in Africa are of significant interest to Canada and areas in which it has already invested. We believe that a partnership with Canada and the African Union's Peace and Security Council would be the appropriate way of showing Canada which direction to take, otherwise this contribution will not truly be what we or our Canadian friends want it to be.
The second component is of an economic nature. Here is another area where Canada has everything to gain by investing in a direct partnership with Africa. There is the issue of infrastructure. There are major road, port, airport, telecommunications and energy infrastructure projects under way. Canada is a leader that can benefit from such a partnership.
On the trade front, if we succeed in putting in place a legal instrument regulating trade between Canada and Africa, this could be a strong mechanism for expanding and reinforcing trade with Canada. Investments through the African Developments Bank, in which Canada is involved, are noteworthy. Canada could truly improve its contribution and involvement in the development of African nations, country by country, because the ABD handles specific development programs in each country. Through this mechanism and through Canada's and the ABD's participation, Canada could ensure progress in this area.
The third axis is the social one, involving students and immigrants. The movement of persons between Canada and Africa could be a critical component of this great partnership. We could work together to define this partnership and to identify the best ways and means of strengthening it.
Those are the three axes that, in my view, seem extremely promising in this partnership.
[English]
Mr. Nasser: We appreciate everything Canada is doing within multilateral organizations, including the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Bank, the IMF and also in the G8 and G20. We were not trying to downplay the importance of such work. We appreciate having the friendly voice of Canada take the lead in these forums.
As to the question of what individual countries are doing to improve the situation, the understanding among the countries of the African group was that we wanted, at this stage, to discuss issues of a general nature, common to the continent as a whole. However, as an example, I will be more than happy to provide statistics to show what my country is doing in this regard. We have achieved a lot, but there are still important challenges.
The Chair: For the 10 minutes we have left, I would like to suggest we give you all a final chance to highlight a specific point, particularly those who have not yet had an opportunity to speak, such as Mr. Peng, assistant chargé d'affaires from the DRC. Maybe we can have a brief comment from each of you on the last point you would like to make so that we can then make some closing remarks.
[Translation]
Dala F. Peng, Assistant to the Chargé d'affaires, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Mr. Chairman, thank you for giving me the floor. As His Excellency the Ambassador of Egypt just said, this meeting is first and foremost an opportunity to speak about all continents. Therefore, it would be rather unfortunate to speak about one specific country. It is important to recognize that the crisis affecting the Great Lakes region is very serious and deserves to be monitored by Canada, even if we are not talking here about a country but about a region. Canada has shown a great deal of leadership in this region. Canada co-chaired the Group of Friends of the Great Lakes region of Africa and took a leading role in organizing the international conference on security and development in the Great Lakes region.
It so happens that the published list does not refer to the countries in the region. That is unfortunate. Yet, it is a region and not just one country. I think it is important for Canada to take another look at this region which is still struggling in this post- conflict era. That is all I wanted to say.
[English]
The Chair: Ambassador Nasser, are you happy with your remarks?
Mr. Nasser: Thank you.
The Chair: Does anyone else wish to comment?
[Translation]
Mr. Anguile: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have only one thing to add to what my colleagues have said here today. We have spoken, I think, with one voice, but I want to make one more appeal to our Canadian friends and partners: there is no room for reticence. I think that, today, Canada has all the tools it needs to act as a great power and its traditional role in Africa has proven this.
Canada need not be embarrassed by what it has done to date, be it in the area of peace and security, or in terms of investments. To this end, I believe that Africa needs to pay tribute to our great partner.
However, the time has come, when Africa, because of its apparent vulnerability to various crises that are occurring, be they financial crises or, as my colleague from the Democratic Republic of the Congo indicated, military or humanitarian crises, when Africa truly needs Canada to show its true colours, its commitment and its will, not only to provide assistance, but to act as a partner. No region in the world, even less so one in Africa, can ensure its development on a foundation of instability.
The commitment has already been made to regions such as Darfur, in particular. We hope that Canada will not hesitate to get involved in order to put an end to, or at the very least, mitigate the effects of such crises.
As a result there could also be a renaissance in those regions and development, a long-awaited development, economic and human development. We are launching a broad appeal. Let us not be reticent, let us move forward. Africa and all of the countries in Africa support your efforts.
As I have said at each of our meetings, I do not know of any African country that has grievances with or complaints about Canada. Of course, we would like to forge even closer ties, but the important thing is that Canada be visible on that continent and continue to show friendship and solidarity toward Africa.
The Chair: Thank you, Ambassador Anguile.
[English]
The Chair: Ambassador Sakri, have you a final comment to make or shall I move on to the charming ladies?
[Translation]
Mr. Sakri: I have had my say, Mr. Chairman.
[English]
The Chair: We have not heard from Ambassador Mukabagwiza from Rwanda. Ambassador, would you like to make some comments?
[Translation]
Her Excellency Edda Mukabagwiza, Ambassador of Rwanda: Mr. Chair, I am glad to have the opportunity to share in this discussion with you. I thank you for welcoming our team, which shows that your committee is committed to continuing this dialogue that has already begun and that, in our opinion, could really raise further issues for reflection.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to add just one thing to what colleagues said, and that I appreciate, while also answering the question that was put by Senator Fortin-Duplessis. We, as African countries, are unanimous in believing in this project and though this project may seem to be ambitious we nonetheless wholeheartedly believe in it. We need your partnership, especially the partnership of Canada as a long-standing friend and, of course, partnership with every country in the world.
This should not be considered as an unattainable goal. We would like to carry on with the conviction, like the conviction that Senator Fortin-Duplessis already showed, that this project can yield tangible results right now. We know that we cannot succeed without real support at every level. This project should be justly appreciated at every level, by all parties and by all our friends, so that we can succeed in this endeavour.
[English]
The Chair: I will now call on Ambassador Ahimakin from Benin.
[Translation]
Mr. Ahimakin: Mr. Chairman, I think that everything has been said. To conclude, I would like to make an appeal to the committee that you represent here. It is a well-known fact that in pluralistic democracies such as the one in Canada, national representation, which means you, the parliamentarians, has substantial power. It is not every day that you welcome us here as a group.
Today, you have an opportunity to hear us. I hope that you will be able to fully weigh in on this matter. You have taken note of what we said. Hopefully, the desire expressed by Africa today to have a framework for political, economic, social and cultural cooperation with Canada can be brought to the attention of the full Senate and these needs can be taken to the executive level, so that you truly become aware, as a country, of what you mean to Africa.
Many of our students, as you will note, are attending various training institutions in Canada. They do not come because they are awarded scholarships, but because they receive financial support from their parents. You know very well, ladies and gentlemen, senators, that tuition fees are very high in Canada. This means that these students come here with a goal, or purpose, in mind.
Do not forget this continent. We have come here as a partner to convey a message and as an institution that represents the Canadian people as a whole before the federal government so that we can truly, more than ever, consider Africa as a partner that is worthy of your attention and your assistance. Thank you.
[English]
The Chair: Finally, Ambassador Bonkoungou, if you have some final words, I will then have some brief comments.
[Translation]
Ms. Bonkoungou: I think that my colleagues who spoke before me covered every aspect of this issue. Thank you. I have no further comments. We do hope that there will a follow up to this evening's meeting.
[English]
The Chair: Let me close by thanking all of you for coming. Certainly you are welcome any time. We will always find time for you whenever that is required.
I reassure you that your message resonates well with this committee. Senator Dawson referred to the study this committee did a few years ago and the extensive visits we had throughout many of the African countries. We have a lot of sympathy for your message. We are not the executive, but we have a great deal of sympathy for your message, and we would like to continue the dialogue.
As well, I would like to make a comment that is not often made in these gatherings. One of the richest assets of the African continent has unfortunately left your shores for ours, and that is the human resources. As you know, that is a problem that you are now suffering at a higher level. Africans have, for their own personal reasons, chosen to come to this country to start their new lives, and they have enriched Canada. We appreciate that. We talk about trade and investment, but we do not often talk about the value that all of the men and women and their families bring when they come to this country. For that, we also want to thank you.
We have heard your message about a round table. My colleague and I have been discussing some opportunity for that, and we wish to include other organizations. I am looking at my friend Senator Andreychuk with the Canada- Africa group. We will get back to you on that suggestion in the not-too-distant future.
Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience in getting to us here. Good luck, and we look forward to continuing this dialogue.
Colleagues, we have a housekeeping matter to deal with in the form of approving a budget. It is a budget we need to have, what we call an emergency budget. It includes several items for a grand sum of $10,000.
Senator Andreychuk: So moved.
The Chair: We will give you copies at the next meeting.
(The committee adjourned.)