CIMM – AFGH 10.1 – Direct Ministerial Interventions on Humanitarian Grounds – February 8, 2023

Question

Hon. Erin O'Toole: Section 25.1 of the act allows you to make direct ministerial interventions on humanitarian grounds. How many of those have you, or your delegate in the department, issued with respect to the Afghan refugee situation?

Hon. Sean Fraser: I'll have to follow up with you to determine the specific answer to that question.

Hon. Erin O'Toole: Can you undertake to provide that to this special committee?

Hon. Sean Fraser: I think I can provide you with that answer.

Hon. Erin O'Toole: Yes, please provide the number. […] At the tail end of August, Canada was in an election under the caretaker convention. How many ministerial exemptions were provided during that time—August 15 to the end of August—to help facilitate the rescue of people? I understand you weren't the minister, but do you know how many were issued?

Hon. Sean Fraser: I would ask the officials who are here with us, in case they have that information. I don't have that information with me today.

Ms. Catrina Tapley: Sorry, Mr. Chair. We'll have to get back to you with a precise number.

Hon. Erin O'Toole: If you could table with the committee the specific number of exemptions given during that time period in August, and perhaps in the five months ahead of time.