FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 3:28 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Bernard Patry, it was agreed, — That Mr. Kevin Sorenson be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Francine Lalonde, it was agreed, — That Mr. Bernard Patry be elected Official Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Johanne Deschamps, it was agreed, — That Mrs. Francine Lalonde be elected Opposition Vice-Chair of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist the Committee in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Member from the New Democratic Party do compose the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure.

It was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive and publish evidence when a quorum is not present provided that at least three (3) members are present, including a member of the opposition.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute to the members of the Committee documents only when they exist in both official languages and that no document provided by a witness be distributed without the authorization of the Clerk of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated ten (10) minutes for the first questioner of each party when a Minister appears before the Committee and five (5) minutes for the other meetings and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between Government and opposition parties.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation, and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; provided that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person present at in camera meetings.

It was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of all in camera meetings be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That, except for amendments to bills, twenty-four (24) hours’ notice be given before any substantive motion is considered by the Committee; and That the motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and circulated to members in both official languages. Upon receipt of the notice, the Clerk shall put the motion on the agenda of the Committee’s next meeting.

It was agreed, — That for motions requiring (24) hours notice, the Chair be authorized to defer consideration until 15 minutes prior to the adjournment time for the meeting as indicated in the Notice of the meeting.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to purchase documents for its use.

It was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase gifts to be presented to foreign hosts while travelling and as well to foreign delegations visiting Ottawa.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure meet on Tuesday, May 9, at 3:30.

At 3:48 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.