FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 3:36 p.m. this day, in Room 269 West Block, the Chair, Bernard Patry, presiding.

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

Requests for Meeting Foreign Delegation and Dignitaries

- That the Committee organize a working lunch for Mr. Aleksi Lakhashev, Deputy, Russian Duma, Thursday, October 21.

- That the Committee hold a meeting with a Parliamentary Delegation from Mexico, Monday afternoon , October 25.

- That the Committee hold a meeting with a Parliamentary Delegation from Germany, Wednesday afternoon, November 3.

Readopting a previous report

- That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee consider Canada’s relations with the countries of the Muslim World;

- That the 1st Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in the 3rd Session of the 37th Parliament entitled Exploring Canada’s Relations with Countries of the Muslim World, adopted by the Committee on March 25, 2004 and presented to the House on March 31, 2004 be amended by deleting Footnote No. 51;

- That the report as amended be adopted as a report of the Committee in the present session;

- That the Chair or his designate present the report to the House and

- That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Study Proposals and Requests to Appear:

- That the Committee consider Main Estimates for the fiscal ending March 31, 2005 and that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and International Cooperation be invited to appear.

- That for the study of Disarmament (See Minutes of Proceedings of October 14, 2004), the Clerk be authorized to arrange an appearance of the Ambassador for Disarmament via videoconference from Geneva if necessary.

- That the request to appear of Mining Watch Canada on Canadian Mining Company Activities in the Philippines be referred to the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development.

- That the request to appear of Canadian Coalition for Democracies be noted for the Committee’s study on foreign policy.

- That the request of the Halifax Initiative Group to appear on the subject of Export Development Canada and its Environmental Policy be referred to the Subcommittee on Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment.

- That the Committee, in view of the Government’s intention of carrying out a review of international policy, undertake, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) followings its consideration of the Main Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005, a preparatory study of foreign policy issues with particular emphasis on:

• The Implications of Missile Defence

• United Nations Reform

• Humanitarian Crises, for Example the Sudan and Haiti

• The Situation in the Middle East

and that a work plan be prepared for public hearings to be organized for the period leading to the December adjournment of the House.

At 3:49 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:50 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Alexa McDonough moved, — That the item in the Report concerning a review of international policy be amended by adding after the words: “adjournment of the House” the following: “and further that the Committee urge the Government of Canada not to sign any memorandum of understanding that entrenches Canada's formal participation in the United States Ballistic Missile Defence plan until cross country public hearings on the matter are concluded and a report with recommendations is presented by the Committee to the House”.

Debate arose thereon.

Pierre A. Paquette moved, — That the amendment be amended by deleting the words “until cross country public hearings are concluded and”.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Pierre A. Paquette and it was negatived.

The Committee resumed consideration of the amendment of Alexa McDonough, — That the item in the Report concerning a review of international policy be amended by adding after the words: “adjournment of the House” the following: “and further that the Committee urge the Government of Canada not to sign any memorandum of understanding that entrenches Canada's formal participation in the United States Ballistic Missile Defence plan until cross country public hearings on the matter are concluded and a report with recommendations is presented by the Committee to the House”.

The question was put on the amendment of Alexa McDonough and it was negatived.

It was agreed, — That the First Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.

The Committee proceeded to consider budget matters.

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade request an operational budget of $12,450 for its study of Disarmament and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade request an operational budget of $37,500 for its study on Foreign Policy Issues and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee of the Liaison Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Committee request the authorization of the Budget Sub-Committee of the Liaison Committee for the Committee to charge, if required, official hospitality costs to the Committee's general Operational Budget ($5,000), when the costs of such hospitality exceed the amount authorized for this activity ($1,200).

At 4:36 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.