FAAE Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 11

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 3:34 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Diane Bourgeois, Peter Goldring, Hon. Albina Guarnieri, Francine Lalonde, Alexa McDonough, Deepak Obhrai, Bernard Patry, Kevin Sorenson, Peter Van Loan and Hon. Bryon Wilfert.

Acting Members present: Cheryl Gallant for Bill Casey and Hon. Geoff Regan for Hon. Keith Martin.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz, Principal.

Witnesses: SOS Children's Villages Canada: Boyd McBride, National Director; Stefan Paquette, Director, Overseas Programs. Canadian Foundation for the Americas: John W. Graham, President, Board of Directors. World University Service of Canada: Michel Tapiero, Manager, Americas and Middle East Programs; Elena Alvarado, Senior Program Officer, America and Caraibes. Regroupement des organismes canado-haïtiens pour le développement: Vernick Barthélus, Vice President, Board of Directors; Eric Faustin, Director General.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on May 10, 2006, the Committee resumed a study of Canada's role in complex international interventions that involve multiple foreign policy instruments focusing on Canada's efforts in Haiti.

Boyd McBride and John Graham made statements and, with Stefan Paquette, answered questions.

At 4:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Elena Alvarado and Eric Faustin made statements and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 5:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:34 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

Francine Lalonde moved, — That the Committee, in addition to the 7th report of May 17 2005, recommends that the Government gives effect to this report, recommends that the Government Canada adopts the conclusions shared with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade by M. Lloyd Axworthy, UN Secretary General Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, and stop giving Ethiopia direct aid, as did other donor countries like Great Britain, without assurance that the resolution of the border conflict is part of the agreement; and, suggests to government that it assist Eritrea, one of the poorest countries in the world.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Deepak Obhrai, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “recommends that the Government of Canada adopts the conclusions shared with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade by M. Lloyd Axworthy, UN Secretary General Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, and stop giving Ethiopia direct aid” with the words “and continue suspension of general budget support to Ethiopia” and by adding the word “further” before the words “assist Eritrea”.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The Chair presented the 2nd Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

1. That representatives of Oxfam Quebec be invited to appear before the Committee.

2. That representatives of Rights and Democracy be invited to appear before the Committee in relation to the Study on Haiti.

3. That Robert Greenhill, president of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) be invited to appear before the Committee.

4. That the Committee meet to discuss Future Business on June 21, 2006.

5. That the Committee refer requests to appear before the Committee from Falun Gong and the Vietnamese Canadian Federation to the Subcommittee on International Human Rights.

6. That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute the previous Committee's report on HIV/AIDS from 2004 to all Committee Members.

7. That within the outlines of a future study on democratic development, the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair, prepare draft budgets, on behalf of the Committee respecting the Committee’s proposed travel to the U.S. and to Europe and that the Chair be authorized to present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

It was agreed, — That the report of the Subcommittee be concurred in.

At 5:47 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:47 p.m., the Committee resumed sitting in camera.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $ 186, 372 for the Committee’s travel to London-Helsinki-Oslo-Stockholm-Copenhagen from October 7 to 14, 2006 be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

At 5:55 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Angela Crandall
Clerk of the Committee

2007/10/23 8:19 a.m.