43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 20, 2020431-00224431-00224 (Foreign affairs)SalmaZahidScarborough CentreLiberalONJune 1, 2020July 20, 2020February 24, 2020Petition to the Government of CanadaWe, the undersigned, residents of Canada, draw the attention of the Government of Canada to the following:Whereas:
  1. On the 18th May 2020, the people of Somaliland will be celebrating 29th years since reclaiming their independence;
  2. The independence declaration of May 18, 1991 occurred after years of documented human rights violations by the Somali state against the civilian population of Somaliland;
  3. In 2001, Somaliland established a new constitution; Somaliland has since established its own Currency, Central Bank, and built a successful free-market economy. They have overseen the restoration of peace, established an independent judiciary and Electoral Commission, and cultivated a stable, multiparty democracy;
  4. On 13 November 2017, Somaliland conducted its' third presidential election; The British government funded a 60-member international election observer mission. Members from 27 countries participated. The international observers have congratulated the Somaliland people on a peaceful poll that was well-organized;
  5. Between 2015 - 2017, Somaliland suffered from extremes drought. Livestock and harvests were lost. The local population suffered from malnutrition, lack of water, medical supply. Hundredth of deaths and thousandth are still displaced after they lost all their livestock's and assets;
  6. A stable and peaceful democracy requires investments in infrastructure such as water boreholes, schools, libraries, Sports Centre's, community health center's, roads, dams and police services;
  7. International recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an autonomous state would attract foreign investments, result in direct access of aid for disaster relief and infrastructure investments. These investments would strengthen enhance security, drive economic development, reduce illegal migration and extremist recruitment, and entrench democracy in one of the world's most unstable regions.
THEREFORE, we request that the government of Canada recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an autonomous state, that may result in foreign investments, direct access of development aid, foreign aid for disaster relief and infrastructure developments investments loans.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe Government of Canada recognizes Somaliland as a semi-autonomous and important region within the Federal Republic of Somalia. Canada’s position is consistent with that of the international community and maintains that it is at the discretion and responsibility of both the Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland to determine the course and nature of their current and future relationship.The Government of Canada would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the considerable progress made in the Somaliland region, to which locals and diaspora members have made a significant contribution.  More specifically, Canada would like to acknowledge the progress made with respect to peacebuilding and democratic development, as best exemplified by the November 2017 elections. The 2017 elections were a notable accomplishment, and set a positive example for the rest of Somalia and the region.Looking forward, Canada will continue to work with members of the international community to help strengthen the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia and the regions. Canada is committed to increasing its engagement in the Somaliland region through the Canadian Embassy in Nairobi. Officials from the Embassy conduct frequent trips to Hargeisa and engage with a broad range of actors to advance shared priorities.The Government of Canada engages regularly with the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia and a broad range of actors, including non-governmental organizations. All of Canada’s missions abroad are charged with advancing inclusive approaches that respect of social differences as a key element of fostering and sustaining peace. The promotion and protection of human rights and gender equality is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in bilateral engagements with Somalia.Canada will continue to use the opportunities presented by multilateral meetings, such as the High-Level Meeting on Somalia, to raise awareness and highlight Canada’s support for cooperation between the Federal Government and the regional governments, and the importance of inclusion and collaboration. Canada will also continue to support Somalia’s objectives and ensure progress towards peace and security, sustainable development, establishing a federal democracy, addressing humanitarian needs, and providing basic services to its people.
Foreign policyInternational development and aidSomalilandSovereignty
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 20, 2020431-00208431-00208 (Foreign affairs)BobSaroyaMarkham—UnionvilleConservativeONMay 20, 2020July 20, 2020February 28, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned, residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to the following:WHEREAS:
  1. As stated in the proclamation terminating Her Majesty's protection over the Somaliland Protection;
  2. The territories in Africa known as the Somaliland Protectorate was formerly under British Protection: And whereas by treaty, grant, usage, sufferance and other lawful means the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland had the power and jurisdiction in the Somaliland Protectorate;
  3. It was intended that the Somaliland Protectorate shall become an independent country on the twenty-sixth day of June 1960;
  4. The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland do hereby, by and with the advice of Privy Council, proclaim and declare that, as from the beginning of the appointed day, The protection over the territories known as the Somaliland Protectorate shall cease, and all treaties and agreements in force immediately before the appointed day between Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and any of the Tribes of the said territories;
  5. All obligations existing immediately before that day towards the said territories and all functions, powers, rights, authority or jurisdiction - exercisable by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland immediately before that day in or in relation to the said territories by treaty, grant, usage, sufferance or otherwise, shall lapse.
THEREFORE, we request that the House of Commons in Parliament assembled adopt a resolution recognizing the Proclamation of Somaliland Independence made by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François Philippe ChampagneThe Government of Canada recognizes Somaliland as a semi-autonomous and important region within the Federal Republic of Somalia. Canada’s position is consistent with that of the international community and maintains that it is at the discretion and responsibility of both the Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland to determine the course and nature of their current and future relationship.The Government of Canada would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the considerable progress made in the Somaliland region, to which locals and diaspora members have made a significant contribution.  More specifically, Canada would like to acknowledge the progress made with respect to peacebuilding and democratic development, as best exemplified by the November 2017 elections. The 2017 elections were a notable accomplishment, and set a positive example for the rest of Somalia and the region.Looking forward, Canada will continue to work with members of the international community to help strengthen the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia and the regions. Canada is committed to increasing its engagement in the Somaliland region through the Canadian Embassy in Nairobi. Officials from the Embassy conduct frequent trips to Hargeisa and engage with a broad range of actors to advance shared priorities.The Government of Canada engages regularly with the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia and a broad range of actors, including non-governmental organizations. All of Canada’s missions abroad are charged with advancing inclusive approaches that respect of social differences as a key element of fostering and sustaining peace. The promotion and protection of human rights and gender equality is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy and a priority in bilateral engagements with Somalia.Canada will continue to use the opportunities presented by multilateral meetings, such as the High-Level Meeting on Somalia, to raise awareness and highlight Canada’s support for cooperation between the Federal Government and the regional governments, and the importance of inclusion and collaboration. Canada will also continue to support Somalia’s objectives and ensure progress towards peace and security, sustainable development, establishing a federal democracy, addressing humanitarian needs, and providing basic services to its people.
Foreign policySomalilandSovereignty
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJuly 20, 2020431-00190431-00190 (Foreign affairs)Hon.JohnMcKayScarborough—GuildwoodLiberalONMay 14, 2020July 20, 2020February 20, 2020PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLEDWe, the undersigned, residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to the following:Whereas:
  1. Some Somali-Canadians holding positions in Somalia are encouraging and causing violence through incitement, fraud and hostility, that may cause instability, and should be held responsible and prosecuted for their actions or risk losing their Canadian citizenship;
  2. Ministers, Directors Generals, Advisers and higher administration officials in the Somali Federal Government, who are also Canadian citizens, are preaching hostility and trying to destabilize Somaliland by spreading incitement, which may cause bloodshed and uproot persons from their habitat;
  3. Technology, the internet, websites, and social media are some of the strategic factors driving the increasing use of hate, fake news, character assassination and their wide range of purposes, including recruitment, financing, propaganda, training, incitement to commit acts of instability, and such persons should be penalized for the actions and abuse of their privileges;
  4. Enforcing laws and ensuring accountability for acts of incitement to violence that could lead to atrocious crimes are important components of crime prevention. To this end, it is important that we ensure that inciting violence is a punishable offense, and that those responsible are prosecuted. However, we should ensure that any laws criminalizing incitement to violence that could lead to atrocities do not unduly limit the right to freedom of expression and opinion;
  5. International responsibility to counter hate speech with positive messages of inclusivity should encourage the use of positive and alternative speech, as a way to prevent, and respond to incitement to violence that could lead to atrocious crimes. This may include: inter alia, the public rejection of hate speech by political, religious and community leaders, and the provision of objective and accurate information about events as an antidote to rumors;
  6. As problems are more likely to thrive in situations of widespread corruption, fake news and incitement are the root of mass violence, and we should fight international corruption as a measure to curb extremism and enhance trust in peace and norms.
THEREFORE, we request that the House of Commons in Parliament assembled adopt a resolution condemning the encouragement of violence through incitement, hate, foreign payments supporting hate, hostility by militias, that may cause instability in a peaceful and stable Somaliland and the entire region.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marco MendicinoIn instances where Somali-Canadians holding official positions in Somalia are encouraging and causing violence through incitement, fraud and hostility, individuals engaging in criminal activity would be subject to the justice system, and Canadian citizenship may be revoked if acquired through fraud or misrepresentation.The additional items covered in this petition are outside the mandate of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and as such the department cannot comment on them.
Response by the Minister of Foreign AffairsSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable François-Philippe ChampagneThe promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canadian foreign policy. Canada sees respect for human rights both online and offline, including the prevention of intimidation, as fundamental to the development of more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous societies around the world. To this end, all of Canada’s missions abroad are charged with advancing inclusive approaches that respect social differences as a key element of fostering and sustaining peace. In bilateral engagements with all countries, Canada raises concerns regarding corrosive hate speech, scapegoating and attempts to inflame social divisions whenever they occur.    The Government of Canada engages regularly with the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia, of which Somaliland is an important region, on the aforementioned issues and others. Canada also engages with a broad range of actors, including non-governmental organizations, to promote the protection of human rights. In this respect, Canada recognizes the considerable contributions that diaspora members have made in actively rebuilding Somalia, and engaging on a wide range of important issues including human rights.The government of Canada acknowledges that while online spaces can offer opportunities to empower individuals, advance gender equality, and promote human rights, they have also enabled new emerging threats, such as hateful content and technology facilitated sexual and gender-based violence. Canada believes that an Internet that is open, free and secure is crucial to addressing harmful and hateful content effectively and fairly.  To this end, Canada is a founding member of the Freedom Online Coalition, a partnership of 31 governments, working to advance Internet freedom. Coalition members work closely together and engage with civil society and the private sector to support Internet freedom – free expression, association, assembly, and privacy online – worldwide.Looking forward, Canada will continue to work with members of the international community to help strengthen the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia to protect human rights, to ensure stability and security for all Somalis. For example, Canada will continue to use the opportunities presented by multilateral meetings, such as the High-Level Meeting on Somalia, to raise awareness and highlight Canada’s support for cooperation between the Federal Government and the regional governments, and the importance of inclusion and collaboration on issues as important as these. Canada will also continue to support Somalia’s objectives and ensure progress towards peace and security, sustainable development, establishing a federal democracy, addressing humanitarian needs, and providing basic services to its people.
Foreign policyHate propagandaSomaliland