The Trudeau government is expected to introduce legislation on Thursday amending Criminal Code terrorism provisions that have barred Canadian aid workers from working in Afghanistan.
A parliamentary document suggests that the Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino, will introduce a bill amending the Criminal Code and that he will hold a press conference at the head office of the Canadian Red Cross in Ottawa.
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The amendment relates to terrorism provisions that currently use a broad definition of what is considered support for a terrorist group.
Humanitarian groups say Global Affairs Canada told them that buying goods or hiring locals in Afghanistan would mean paying taxes to the Taliban, which would amount to contributing to a terrorist group.
The Liberals are more than a year behind allies who moved quickly to change national laws and grant exemptions after the Taliban took control of Kabul in August 2021 to ensure aid workers can continue to work in Afghanistan.
Groups like World Vision Canada say they have been hesitant to issue appeals for donations because of the rules, despite Afghanistan being one of the countries Canadians are most likely to pledge money for.
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