THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, October 8, 2025
(4)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Peter M. Boehm, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adler, Al Zaibak, Ataullahjan, Boehm, Coyle, Dean, Gerba, Harder, P.C., Hébert, MacDonald, Ravalia, Wilson and Woo (13).

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the committee continued its study on foreign relations and international trade generally. (Topic: Humanitarian situation in Gaza)

WITNESSES:

Global Affairs Canada:

Tara Carney, Acting Director General, Humanitarian Assistance Bureau;

Stefanie McCollum, Director General, Middle East Bureau.

CARE Canada:

Mary Bridger, Head of Advocacy and Policy.

Oxfam Canada:

Dalia Al-Awqati, Deputy Director, Humanitarian Affairs.

Save the Children Canada:

Patrick Robitaille, Head of Humanitarian Affairs (by videoconference);

Emilie Galland-Jarrett, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations.

Tara Carney made a statement and, together with Stefanie McCollum, answered questions.

At 5:09 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:13 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mary Bridger, Dalia Al-Awqati, Patrick Robitaille and Emilie Galland-Jarrett each made a statement and answered questions.

At 6:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Chantal Cardinal

Clerk of the Committee