FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 3:36 p.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 5:03 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:05 p.m., the sitting resumed.

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

That the witness list prepared by the Library of Parliament dated February 22, 2008 and the names that have been submitted to the Clerk's office and appear on the document entitled “Other Witness Names Submitted to the Clerk's office for the study on Afghanistan“ be agreed to;

That the Planning Calendar for Feb/March 2008 outlining witnesses to be invited to appear concerning the study on Afghanistan be agreed to;

That the Committee finish hearing witnesses on the study on Afghanistan, on Thursday, March 13, 2008;

That the Committee meet in camera on April 1, 2008 to provide drafting instructions to the Library of Parliament analysts for a draft report on Afghanistan;

That the Committee hear more witnesses on Burma and Sudan for one hour each on Thursday, April 3, 2008;

That the Committee hold a follow-up meeting of two hours concerning the previous study on Haiti on Tuesday, April 8, 2008;

That the Minister of Foreign Affairs be invited to appear on Thursday, April 10, 2008 in relation to the motion adopted by the Committee on December 6, 2007, concerning the murders of Domenic and Nancy Ianeiro in Mexico;

That the Committee meet with members of a delegation from the Philippines on Tuesday, April 15, 2008;

That the Committee invite the Japanese Ambassador to Canada as well as officials from Foreign Affairs to provide a briefing on the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Canada and Japan on Thursday, April 17, 2008; and

That a draft report on the Committee's study on Afghanistan be distributed to Members by April 29, 2008, and that Members be given at least a week to read and reflect on it before commencing in camera consideration of the draft.

Deepak Obhrai moved, — That the report of the Subcommittee, be concurred in.

Debate arose thereon.

Vivian Barbot moved, — That the report be amended by deleting the words “Thursday, April 3, 2008” after the words “Sudan for one hour each on“ and replacing them with “Tuesday, April 8, 2008” and deleting the words “Tuesday, April 8, 2008” after the words “study on Haiti” and replacing them with the words “Thursday, April 3, 2008”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Vivian Barbot and it was agreed to.

On motion of Bryon Wilfert, it was agreed, — That the report be amended by deleting the recommendation for a briefing on the diplomatic relationship between Canada and Japan.

The question was put on the motion, and the report as amended, was agreed to.

That the witness list prepared by the Library of Parliament dated February 22, 2008 and the names that have been submitted to the Clerk's office and appear on the document entitled “Other Witness Names Submitted to the Clerk's office for the study on Afghanistan“ be agreed to;

That the Planning Calendar for Feb/March 2008 outlining witnesses to be invited to appear concerning the study on Afghanistan be agreed to;

That the Committee finish hearing witnesses on the study on Afghanistan, on Thursday, March 13, 2008;

That the Committee meet in camera on April 1, 2008 to provide drafting instructions to the Library of Parliament analysts for a draft report on Afghanistan;

That the Committee hear more witnesses on Burma and Sudan for one hour each on Tuesday, April 8, 2008;

That the Committee hold a follow-up meeting of two hours concerning the previous study on Haiti on Thursday, April 3, 2008;

That the Minister of Foreign Affairs be invited to appear on Thursday, April 10, 2008 in relation to the motion adopted by the Committee on December 6, 2007, concerning the murders of Domenic and Nancey Ianeiro in Mexico;

That the Committee meet with members of a delegation from the Philippines on Tuesday, April 15, 2008;

That a draft report on the Committee's study on Afghanistan be distributed to Members by April 29, 2008, and that Members be given at least a week to read and reflect on it before commencing in camera consideration of the draft.

At 5:20 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.