Feds still unsure how to solve Afghan aid issue, as Trudeau defends Taliban talks

OTTAWA — Justice Minister David Lametti said Canada still hasn’t figured out how to fix an issue other countries fixed months ago, leaving Canadian humanitarian groups unable to help desperate Afghans.

Despite revelations Ottawa has had in regular talks with the Taliban regime, liberals have no explanation for why they won’t allow Canadian groups to provide life-saving assistance.

“It’s a complex matter and we’re looking for solutions,” Lametti told the Senate on Wednesday.

Aid agencies say they are unable to help those in need over fears they could face reprisals under Canada’s terrorism laws, which list the Taliban as a terrorist entity.

Organizations told members of parliament in the spring that Global Affairs Canada said they could not pay a driver to deliver food or supplies because it would result in taxes being paid to the Taliban.

These lawmakers served on a House of Commons committee examining Canada’s response to Afghanistan’s return to Taliban rule. In June, she urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to amend the law to allow aid agencies to help local people without being prosecuted for supporting a terrorist group.

Months later that hasn’t happened. Opposition parties and humanitarian groups are accusing Ottawa of negligence, and Canada’s allies found exceptions this spring.

Lametti said in an interview on Tuesday that the government was “sensitive” to the issue but that several departments still hadn’t found a solution.

“Criminal code changes are an option on the table – they are not the only option on the table and we will do our best to find the right solution.”

Without citing an example, he added that it was important that the solution the government came up with had no unintended consequences.

Sen. Ratna Omidvar said Wednesday that the situation in Afghanistan is more than urgent and by now the government should have plans to offer some sort of waiver.

“I don’t care how they solve it. I don’t care if it’s an exemption from prosecution or an anti-terrorist court change — I just want them to get it done.”

She also questioned whether the government is genuinely concerned with the issue as it has stated, as it is still weighing options months after it was first reported.

“Thinking about it doesn’t get packed with that,” she said, adding that Canadian NGOs “have their hands tied behind their backs.”

Omidvar pressed Lametti in the Upper Chamber on this matter, asking for a timeline for changes.

Lametti instead reiterated that it was a serious matter.

“Of course, given the way our Parliament works, I cannot stand in front of the process as it moves forward,” he said.

“We are examining all options, that’s all I can say.”

In late August, United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said more than half of Afghanistan’s population – some 24 million people – are in need of assistance and nearly 19 million are facing acute food insecurity.

The charity Street Child says child labor has tripled as Afghanistan faces drought, economic turmoil and high oil prices, and officials expect a worse situation when winter sets in.

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said the Liberals will soon have something for NGOs.

“We need to make sure the money gets to the NGOs, so very soon we will come up with solutions for that… to find ways to help the people of Afghanistan who are suffering under the Taliban regime,” she said in an interview on Wednesday .

Joly also confirmed a media report that Canada had been in regular talks with the Taliban just weeks after taking over Afghanistan in August 2021.

The Taliban, which Canada lists as a terrorist organization, have had ongoing talks with Western officials at meetings in Doha, Qatar.

“We have no intention of recognizing the Taliban regime and what we’re doing from Doha is really making sure we’re advancing the issues that Canadians care about and that includes girls and education,” Joly said.

She did not comment on Canada’s merits in joining the allies to set up a multi-country representative office, which some experts have suggested instead of a formal embassy, ​​to keep tabs on the human rights situation in the country.

Trudeau told reporters that the Doha talks are meant to strengthen human rights and get people out of Afghanistan.

“Unfortunately, we have to arrange to meet these people,” he said in French.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on October 5, 2022.

Dylan Robertson and Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version said Attorney General David Lametti was due to appear before a Senate committee on Wednesday afternoon.