Parliamentary Discourse and Humanitarian Decision-Making: An Analysis of Canada's Response to the Crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine

This thesis investigates the extent to which parliamentary debates and committee hearings influenced the Canadian Cabinet's humanitarian assistance decisions for Afghanistan (2021) and Ukraine (2022). Conducting a mixed-method discourse analysis, including quantitative frequency analysis and qualitative thematic examination, it argues that Canada's humanitarian responses were shaped not solely by moral values or strategic interests but by a complex interplay of political, security, and solidarity factors. This 'multi-sources' approach demonstrates how domestic political forces, including MPs' advocacy and criticism, have partially influenced the humanitarian support afforded to Afghan and Ukrainian nationals. By examining the nuanced impact of parliamentary engagement, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities shaping Canada's humanitarian actions. It suggests that humanitarian support decisions have been influenced by a broader spectrum of domestic political dynamics beyond conventional moral or strategic considerations.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Migration and Diaspora Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Mahdi, Zahra

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2024 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, distribution to students, research and scholarship. Theses may only be shared by linking to the Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be copied without proper attribution to the author; no part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2024-16099

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/43269