FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

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

That, pursuant to the motion agreed to on November 20, 2007, the Committee hold a briefing session on Thursday, January 31, 2008 on Burma with officials from Foreign Affairs;

That, pursuant to the motions agreed to on November 20 and December 4, 2007, the Committee hold a briefing session February 5, 2008, on Somalia and on investment in Sudan, the first hour being a briefing with officials from Foreign Affairs and CIDA on Somalia and during the second hour having a briefing from officials from Foreign Affairs, International Trade and CIDA on Sudan; and

That the Clerk enquire into the availability of Mr. John Manley to appear before the Committee.

Deepak Obhrai moved, — That the report of the Subcommittee be concurred in.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to the motion agreed to on November 20, 2007, the Committee hold a briefing session on Thursday, January 31, 2008 on Burma with officials from Foreign Affairs.

Randolph Mank made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 4:45 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:52 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to the motion agreed to on November 20, 2007, the Committee hold a briefing session February 5, 2008, on Somalia with officials from Foreign Affairs and CIDA.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk enquire into the availability of Mr. John Manley to appear before the Committee.

Deepak Obhrai moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108 (1)(a), the Committee meet jointly at its first opportunity with the Standing Committee on National Defence to discuss the Manley Report and that the chairmanship of the joint proceedings alternate between the respective chairs of the two standing committees;

That the Committee call the Hon. John Manley and all members of the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan, the ministers of National Defence, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with the option of adding further witnesses to provide their perspectives on this report;

That the joint proceedings occur during the ordinary scheduled time of this committee, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 3:30pm to 5:30pm, commencing at the scheduled meeting immediately following the adoption of this motion and continuing until the conclusion of the meeting of February 28, 2008;

That the Committee table a copy of the evidence;

That pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report; and

That these meetings be televised.

Debate arose thereon.

By unanimous consent, on motion of Deepak Obhrai, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “jointly at its first opportunity with the Standing Committee on National Defence”and the words “and that the chairmanship of the joint proceedings alternate between the respective chairs of the two standing committees” in the first paragraph and the words “that the joint proceedings occur during the ordinary scheduled time of this committee, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 3:30pm to 5:30pm, commencing at the scheduled meeting immediately following the adoption of this motion and continuing until the conclusion of the meeting of February 28, 2008” in the third paragraph.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

At 5:37 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.