Question Period Note: The Government of Canada's response to incidents in Cuba affecting Canadian diplomats

Questions may arise regarding measures taken by Canada in response to the unusual symptoms reported by some Canadian diplomats and family members in Cuba.

• The health, safety, and security of diplomatic staff and their families are our top priority. The Government of Canada continues to investigate the potential causes of unusual health symptoms reported by some of our diplomatic staff and their dependents in Havana, Cuba.

• Canada currently has 15 medically confirmed cases. No additional confirmed medical cases have been reported since January 2019. Collaboration with Cuban authorities to identify the cause is ongoing. Despite much examination, a cause remains unknown.

• As a preventive measure Global Affairs Canada designated the Embassy of Canada in Havana as an "unaccompanied post", effective April 16, 2018; all dependents of Canadian diplomatic staff from Cuba have been repatriated.

• This decision reflects the priority the government places on the health and safety of employees and their families.

• There is no evidence to suggest that Canadian travelers to Cuba are at risk. Canada has a positive and constructive relationship with Cuba and has received close collaboration from Cuban authorities.

The Government of Canada continues to investigate the potential causes of unusual health symptoms reported by some Canadian diplomatic staff and dependents posted to Havana, Cuba.

There is a government-wide effort to address this situation, including an ongoing investigation in cooperation with Cuban authorities and our U.S. counterparts.

All Canadian diplomats and their families who reported unusual symptoms have received medical testing and medical monitoring in Canada as required.

In April 2019 Global Affairs Canada received information from Canadian medical specialists from Dalhousie University, involved in the evaluation of affected Canadians. A definite cause remains unknown and additional research is ongoing.

Global Affairs Canada has changed the designation of our Embassy of Canada to Cuba to an 'unaccompanied post', effective April 16, 2018, and has repatriated all dependents of Canadian diplomatic staff as a preventive measure.

In November 2019 and March 2018, the Department received the results of environmental assessments of diplomatic staff quarters in Havana. This assessment did not indicate anything that could point to a cause.

At the same time, we have reviewed all of our diplomatic positions in Cuba, with a view to balance our duty of care to our staff members, with the ongoing need to deliver services to Canadians in Cuba, and to promote and protect Canadian interests there.

Global Affairs Canada maintains a strict security and health protocol to respond immediately to any unusual events or health symptoms affecting Canadian diplomats posted to Cuba.

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