Question Period Note: Crisis in Lebanon

Lebanon is facing economic collapse after decades of poor governance and widespread corruption.

• Canada is deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in Lebanon, and continues to call on Lebanon's leaders to implement much-needed reforms to address the rapidly deteriorating situation in the country.

• It is important for Lebanon to hold legislative elections scheduled for 2022 on time so that the Lebanese people can have their voices heard.
• Canada is committed to supporting the Lebanese people who are enduring significant hardship. Lebanon is a focus country of Canada's Middle East Strategy, through which Canada has committed over $427 million since 2016.
• Canada does not provide direct support to the Lebanese government. Instead, Canada provides assistance to experienced international and local partners based on credible needs assessments.
• Hizballah is a listed terrorist entity, and Canada maintains a no-contact policy with Hizballah.

The economic situation in Lebanon has been categorized by the World Bank as one of the most severe economic crises globally since the mid-19th century. This underlying crisis has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the August 4, 2020 explosion at the Port of Beirut, which devastated the city.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati formed Lebanon's first government in 13 months on September 10, 2021. The political vacuum caused by the protracted government formation process prevented the enactment of much-needed reforms, and prospects for meaningful reforms are grim with the new government facing significant internal tensions since its formation, as well as the short amount of time left before the March 2022 elections. The Cabinet has not met since mid-October due to tensions stemming from the investigation into the port explosion. Recent violent clashes in Beirut, and the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Lebanon and the Gulf states have contributed to the political deadlock.

Canada is currently the 6th largest bilateral (development and humanitarian) and the 3rd largest humanitarian donor in Lebanon. Through Canada's Middle East Strategy, Canada has committed over $427 million for Lebanon since 2016, including over $310 million in humanitarian assistance, over $70 million in development assistance, and over $40 million in security and stabilization assistance. Canada's assistance in Lebanon covers a wide-range of services, geographies and vulnerable groups, including Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities. The Canadian Armed Forces also provide training and capacity-building to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

Canada has been actively involved in the international response to the crisis in Lebanon. Then- Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne visited Beirut in August 2020, to observe the humanitarian response to the port explosion. Canada participated in the August 2020, December 2020 and August 2021 international support conferences for Lebanon co-hosted by France and the UN; Canada announced $30 million assistance in the aftermath of the Beirut Port disaster and a further $20 million in August 2021 to support early business recovery efforts.

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