FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met in camera at 3:35 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report on Haiti.

At 5:16 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:17 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite Paul LaRose-Edwards Executive Director, CANADEM to appear on its Study on Democratic Development on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

It was agreed, — That the Committee commence its Study of Bill C-293, An Act respecting the provision of development assistance abroad, on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet Tuesday, October 31, 2006 to discuss a Draft Report on Haiti.

It was agreed, — That the Committee form an informal working group composed of Vivian Barbot, Peter Goldring, Bernard Patry and Alexa McDonough to review the Draft Report on Haiti.

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet with African Parliamentarians on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hold a meeting for an update on the situation in Afghanistan on November 8 and 22, 2006.

It was agreed, — That the request to meet with Mr. Carlos Franco, Director of the Colombian Program for Human Rights, be referred to the Subcommittee on International Human Rights.

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet in informal joint meeting with the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration with Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, on Thursday, November 2, 2006.

It was agreed, — That the Committee meet with U.N. Special Envoy on TB (former president of Portugal), Jorge Sampaio, on Thursday, November 9, 2006.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Diane Bourgeois, — That the Committee should immediately address the reconstruction and aid strategy chosen by Canada to help Afghanistan in order to evaluate Canada’s contribution thus far, and should invite to appear before it as soon as possible representatives of non-governmental organizations directly or indirectly involved in this country and experts on this matter.

The debate continued.

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

Alexa McDonough moved, — That pursuant to an Order of Reference from the House dated September 20, 2006, and noting the Committee’s 12th Report adopted unanimously by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and concurred in by the House on June 28, 2006, calling for aid legislation “which establishes poverty reduction as the priority for Canada’s Official Development Assistance”, the Committee hold meetings, if necessary in addition to it’s regularly scheduled meetings, to study C-293, An Act respecting the provision of development assistance abroad.

Debate arose thereon.

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

At 5:40 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.