FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met by videoconference at 3:37 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

Paul Heinbecker made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:16 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:17 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Chair presented the Second Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

Your Subcommittee met on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That the Committee travel to Washington, DC , from April 19 to April 22, 2009, in relation to its study on a review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy, to meet with American Senators and Congressmen and other relevant people, to discuss issues of common interest;

2. That the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair, prepare a budget for a trip to Washington from April 19 to 22, that allows all members of the Committee to travel and taking into consideration that Members will use one of their travel points;

3. That the Committee hear witnesses on the situation in Sri Lanka in relation to its study on a review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy from March 23, 2009 until April 1, 2009 and that Members submit their suggestions for witnesses to the Clerk's office by Monday, March 9, 2009;

4. That five members of the Committee travel to Sri Lanka in relation to the Committee's study on a review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy to meet with representatives of the government of Sri Lanka;

5. That the Committee begin hearing witnesses in relation to specific regions of Africa and the study on a review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy, on April 27, 2009;

6. That the Library of Parliament Analysts prepare a concise draft report in relation to the study on a review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy concerning the Canada-United States Relationship and that the Committee begin to study the report on May 25, 2009;

7. That the Committee hold one or two briefings on the Arctic during the month of June, 2009 and begin a more in-depth study on the Arctic in relation to its study on a review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy in the fall of 2009;

8. That the Committee invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of International Cooperation to appear on the Main Estimates on or before May 13, 2009;

9. That the Committee adopt the motion adopted by the Subcommittee on International Human Rights on February 24, 2009, concerning the Baha'i community in Iran and report it as a report of the Committee to the House.

Paul Crête moved, — That the report of the Subcommittee be concurred in.

Debate arose thereon.

Jim Abbott moved, — That the report be amended by deleting paragraph 4. “That five members of the Committee travel to Sri Lanka in relation to the Committee's study on a review of key elements of Canadian foreign policy to meet with representatives of the government of Sri Lanka;”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Jim Abbott and it was negatived.

The motion of Paul Crête was agreed to.

Paul Crête moved, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 40,908, for the Committee’s travel to Washington DC on April 19 to April 22, 2009 be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

It was agreed, — That the Committee adopt the motion adopted by the Subcommittee on International Human Rights on February 24, 2009, concerning the Baha'i community in Iran and report it as a report of the Committee to the House.

At 4:37 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:43 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Michael Byers made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:29 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.