FAIT Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 10:33 o’clock a.m., this day in televised session, in room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding. Members of the Committee present: Jean Augustine, Colleen Beaumier, Réginald Bélair, Scott Brison, Bill Graham, Gurmant Grewal, Ted McWhinney, Bob Mills, Julian Reed, Svend Robinson, Bob Speller, Daniel Turp. Acting Members present: David Pratt for Denis Paradis; Keith Martin for Charlie Penson. In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: James Lee and Gerald Schmitz, Research Officers. Appearing: Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Witnesses: From the International Campaign to Ban Land Mines: Jody Williams, Coordinator; and Stephen Goose, Program Director, Human Rights Watch. In accordance with Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to examine An International Agreement to Ban Anti-Personnel Mines. The Minister and the witnesses made opening statements and answered questions. At 11:35 o’clock a.m., the sitting was suspended. At 11:43 o’clock a.m., the sitting resumed in camera. The Committee proceeded to examine its future business. The Chair presented the Second Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which as follows : Your Sub-Committee met on Thursday, October 30th, 1997 to consider the future business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations: It was agreed, --That pursuant to Standing Order 120, the Committee retain the services of Christopher Maule of Proteium Ltd., through the Library of Parliament, to assist the Sub-Committee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment in its examination of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment for the period of November 3 to December 12, 1997 at the daily rate of $600.00 for an amount not to exceed $15,000.00. It was agreed, --That, upon 48 hours notice and in consultation with all political parties represented on the Committee, the Chair be authorized to convene a hearing on a current issue relating to foreign affairs and international trade. It was agreed, --That a proposed schedule of meetings be approved. It was agreed, --That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee convene at least one hearing on the subject of the Canadian policy on nuclear non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament prior to December 12, 1997 and ordered that the research staff prepare a workplan on this subject for consideration by the Committee. It was agreed, --That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee invite the appropriate officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade as well as the Ambassador or a representative from the United States Embassy to appear before it in order to provide a briefing on Section 110 of the 1996 U.S. Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) relating to the documentation of the entry and exit of all aliens. It was agreed, --That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee consider convening at the earliest opportunity, (a) hearing(s) on the Pacific Salmon Treaty between Canada and the United States. It was agreed, --That as time permits, an informal working group comprised of interested Members of the Committee be established, in order to examine the role of Parliament in the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of international treaties; and that this working group report its findings to the Committee. Ordered, --That the research staff of the Committee prepare a revised proposed workplan incorporating the comments of the members of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure. It was agreed, --That the Second Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in. It was agreed, --That a budget for the Committee and its sub-committees in the amount of $52,740.00 for the period to March 31, 1998 be approved. It was agreed, --That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee convene a hearing on the situation in Algeria at the earliest opportunity. At 11:58 o’clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair. |
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Janice Hilchie |