The Minister made a statement and, with Steve Verheul, answered questions.

At 5:21 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:24 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That the First Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows, be concurred in:

Your subcommittee met on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That the Minister of Foreign Affairs be invited to appear for one meeting on the topic of the Main Estimates 2020-21.

2. That the Minister of International Development be invited to appear for one meeting on the topics of the Main Estimates 2020-21 and the Ministerial Mandate Letter.

3. That the Chair arrange for an informal luncheon with the delegation of Parliamentarians from the United Kingdom during their visit to Canada, and that the committee be authorized to provide hospitality as deemed appropriate.

4. That the committee dedicate one formal, public meeting with the delegation of Parliamentarians from the United Kingdom.

5. That the Chair arrange for an informal luncheon with the delegation of Nobel Laureates and Women Human Rights Defenders from the Middle East on April 23, 2020, that the Members of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Development be invited to attend the luncheon, and that the committee be authorized to provide hospitality as deemed appropriate.

6. That the communications plan for social media adopted during the 42nd Parliament be readopted by the committee during the 43rd Parliament.

7. That the committee undertake study updates on the following topics: (a) Threats to Democracy; (b) Women, Peace and Security and (c) Development Assistance; that the update on Threats to Democracy take place starting on March 24, 2020; and that the remaining study updates be scheduled at the discretion of the Chair.

8. That the committee undertake future studies on the following topics: (a) The Challenges facing Vulnerable Populations, including Children, in Situations of Displacement, Disaster, Scarcity and Armed Conflict; (b) Foreign Interference and Influence; (c) the Middle East; and (d) Arms Control and Disarmament; and that the study of the Challenges Facing Vulnerable Populations, Including Children, in Situations of Displacement, Disaster, Scarcity and Armed Conflict be the first priority.

9. That the analysts prepare a workplan for the study update on Threats to Democracy.

10. That the analysts prepare a concept note and workplan for the study of the Challenges Facing Vulnerable Populations, Including Children, in Situations of Displacement, Disaster, Scarcity and Armed Conflict.

It was agreed, — That the concept note prepared by the Library of Parliament for the study of Challenges Facing Vulnerable Populations, Including Children, in Situations of Displacement, Disaster, Scarcity and Armed Conflict be adopted, and that the analysts prepare a detailed workplan.

It was agreed, — That members submit their prioritized list of witnesses for the study of Threats to Democracy and Liberty Around the World to the clerk no later than 5 pm, Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

It was agreed, — That the first meeting in the workplan for the study of Democracy and Liberty Around the World be approved and held on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.