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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 19
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4,1997
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 9:35 o’clock a.m., this day, in room 308 of the West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Jean Augustine, Colleen Beaumier, Réginald Bélair, John Cannis, Bill Graham, Gurmant Grewal, Ted McWhinney, Bob Mills, Denis Paradis, Julian Reed, Svend Robinson, Bob Speller, Daniel Turp.
Acting Members present: Monique Guay for Maud Debien.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: James Lee and Gerald Schmitz, Research Officers.
Appearing: Hon. Diane Marleau, Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for the Francophonie.
Witnesses: From the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA): Huguette Labelle, President.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to examine the programs, expenditures and Performance Report of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
The Minister made a statement and, with Huguette Labelle, answered questions.
Svend Robinson moved, --That whereas ongoing cuts to Canadian official development assistance have caused Canada to slip to the middle of the pack among OECD aid donors (from 5th place in 1995 to 11th place among 21 in 1997);
and whereas these severe cuts have exacerbated the growing gap between rich and poor countries and have hurt Canadian NGOs’ ability to deliver basic needs programmes to individuals in need;
be it resolved that this Committee urge the Minister of Finance to reconsider this year’s planned 8 per cent cut in overseas development aid.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was agreed to by a show of hands.
At 11:00 o’clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
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