FAAE Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 36

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 3:55 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Diane Bourgeois, Peter Goldring, Hon. Keith Martin, Alexa McDonough, Deepak Obhrai, Bernard Patry, Kevin Sorenson and Hon. Bryon Wilfert.

Acting Members present: Dean Allison for Deepak Obhrai, Vivian Barbot for Francine Lalonde, Rodger Cuzner for Hon. Bryon Wilfert, Cheryl Gallant for Bill Casey, Hon. John McKay for Hon. Albina Guarnieri, Ted Menzies for Hon. Peter Van Loan and Caroline St-Hilaire for Francine Lalonde.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: James Lee, Analyst ; Gerald Schmitz, Principal . House of Commons: Marc Toupin, Legislative Clerk.

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.

The Committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the draft report be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and analyst be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, September 20, 2006, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-293, An Act respecting the provision of development assistance abroad.

The Committee resumed its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to the consideration of Clause 3 previously stood.

On Clause 3,

Alexa McDonough moved, — That Bill C-293, in Clause 3, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 1 the following:

““civil society organization” means a not-for-profit or charitable organization whose governing structure is independent of government direction, and includes, but is not limited to, registered charities, non-governmental development organizations, community groups, women’s organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, trade unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions, human rights organizations and advocacy groups.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Alexa McDonough and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 3.

Diane Bourgeois moved, — That Bill C-293, in Clause 3, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 1 the following:

““Canadian values” means, amongst others, values of global citizenship, equity and environmental sustainability.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Diane Bourgeois and it was agreed to.

Alexa McDonough moved, — That Bill C-293, in Clause 3, be amended by deleting lines 20 to 22 on page 1.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Alexa McDonough and it was agreed to.

Diane Bourgeois moved, — That Bill C-293, in Clause 3, be amended by adding after line 3 on page 2 the following:

““democracy” includes, but is not limited to, political and civil rights as defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Diane Bourgeois and it was agreed to.

By unanimous consent, Keith Martin moved, — That Bill C-293, in Clause 3, be amended by adding after line 19 on page 2 the following:

““official development assistance” means international assistance

(a) that is administered with the principal objective of promoting the economic development and welfare of developing countries, that is concessional in character, that conveys a grant element of at least 25%, and that meets the requirements set out in section 4; and/or

(b) that is provided for the purpose of alleviating the effects of a natural or artificial disaster or other emergency occurring outside Canada.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Keith Martin and it was agreed to.

Keith Martin moved, — That Bill C-293, in Clause 3, be amended

(a) by adding after line 11 on page 2 the following:

““international assistance” means funding provided by government for international development, international financial institutions, global peace and security, crises overseas and international development research.”

(b) by adding after line 11 on page 2 the following:

““international human rights standards” means standards that are based on international human rights conventions and on international customary law.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Keith Martin and it was agreed to.

Alexa McDonough moved, — That Bill C-293, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing line 13 on page 2 with the following:

“Cooperation or any other minister designated by the Governor in Council as the Minister for the purposes of this Act.”

The question was put on the amendment of Alexa McDonough and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 3.

It was agreed, — That the Commitee sit for two hours tomorrow, December 13, 2006, regardless of whether the House rises.

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

Angela Crandall
Clerk of the Committee

2007/10/18 4:20 p.m.