FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Dean Allison, presiding.

The witness made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:32 p.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera.

It was agreed, — That, in light of the fact that Canada is in talks to obtain a seat at the Security Council at the United Nations, meaning that Members of Parliament would be travelling to New York in order to fulfill their functions within committees dealing with foreign affairs, national defence, human rights, the environment, and the Canadian International Development Agency, etc.; the Committee proposes that, with the four points allocated annually to Members of Parliament to travel to Washington, they also be allowed to travel to New York with the same number of points.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hold four meetings as part of a study to examine the implications and understand the ramifications of the referendum in Sudan, in order to recommend how Canada could be of service to Sudan in the weeks and months following the referendum; and that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons.

It was agreed, — That the Committee investigate and study the effectiveness and viability of public service partnerships between nations, specifically the past experience of public service partnerships involving the Canadian Public Service, as well as comparable partnerships undertaken by member nations of the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand; that witnesses be called to testify regarding best practices, lessons learned and effectiveness of public service partnerships; and that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons.

At 4:42 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.