FAIT Committee Meeting
Notices of Meeting include information about the subject matter to be examined by the committee and date, time and place of the meeting, as well as a list of any witnesses scheduled to appear. The Evidence is the edited and revised transcript of what is said before a committee. The Minutes of Proceedings are the official record of the business conducted by the committee at a sitting.
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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting No. 18
Thursday, February 10, 2000
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 8:55 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Jean Augustine, Colleen Beaumier, Maud Debien, Bill Graham, Francine Lalonde, Diane Marleau, Ted McWhinney, Deepak Obhrai, Denis Paradis, Bernard Patry, Svend Robinson, Bob Speller.
Acting Member present: Stéphan Tremblay for Yves Rocheleau.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz, James Lee and Daniel Dupras, Research Officers.
It was agreed,--That in relation to an examination of pursuing Canada's foreign policy interests in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, the Committee approve a proposed budget and itinerary for travel of: a) six Members of the Committee and four staff to: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia; and b) six Members of the Committee and four staff to: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Krygyzstan during the period from April 1-11, 2000, in the total amount of $171,780.00.
It was agreed,--That the Committee convene two hearings on the sanctions against Iraq, focusing on the legal basis for the sanctions and their effect.
It was agreed,--That the Committee convene a hearing on the situation in Northern Ireland in late May.
It was agreed,--That the Committee refer to the Sub-Committee on Human Rights and International Development, a letter from Amnesty International regarding Canada's present policy on human rights in China.
It was agreed,--That the Committee respond to a letter from the Canadian Co-operative Association, inviting them to submit a written brief.
It was agreed,--That the Committee refer to the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans' Affairs, a note from Project Ploughshares regarding the availability of Dr. John Steinbrenner and Dr. Pavel Podvig, two experts on missile defence, to appear before committee on Feb. 29 or March 1.
It was agreed,--That the Committee invite Chris Westdahl, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations for Disarmament Affairs, to appear before it on March 2, 2000.
It was agreed, --That in relation to the proposed modifications to its resolution on Burma, the Committee ask the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to explain the reasons for the changes.
It was agreed,--That the Sub-Committee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment be authorized to undertake a study of Canada's economic relations with Europe; and further the Committee approve a proposed budget and itinerary for six Members and two staff of the Sub-Committee to travel to London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Rome and Geneva during the period of May 1 to 12, 2000.
It was agreed,--That the Committee re-confirm its invitation to Sergio Marchi to appear before it in relation to his Order in Council appointment as Canada's Ambassador to the World Trade Organization.
It was agreed,--That, in addition to its invitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of International Trade to appear before the Committee prior to the end of February to discuss the Performance Report of the Department for the period ending March, 1999, the Committee invite these Ministers as well as the Minister for International Cooperation to appear before it in relation to the Main Estimates 2000-2001, following their referral to the Committee.
At 9:50 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Janice Hilchie
Clerk of the Committee