FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 8:53 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Gary Ralph Schellenberger, it was agreed, — That Dean Allison be elected Chair of the Committee.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Vice-Chairs.

On motion of Paul Dewar, it was agreed, — That Hélène Laverdière be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Bob Dechert, it was agreed, — That Dominic LeBlanc be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Dean Allison took the Chair.

On motion of Bob Dechert, it was agreed, — That the Committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

Bob Dechert moved, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of five (5) members; the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs and two Parliamentary Secretaries.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Bob Dechert moved, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least three (3) members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government, but when travelling outside the parliamentary precinct, that the meeting begin after fifteen (15) minutes, regardless of members present.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Bob Dechert moved, — That witnesses be given ten (10) minutes for their opening statement; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated seven (7) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows: Round 1: New Democratic Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Party; and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner as follows: Round 2: Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party; Round 3: Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Conservative Party; Round 4: New Democratic Party, Conservative Party.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the Committee only when the documents are available in both official languages and that witnesses be advised accordingly.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the Committee and its Subcommittees.

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two (2) representatives per organization; provided that, in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff at an in camera meeting and that one additional person from each party be allowed to be present.

It was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in camera meeting be kept in the Committee Clerk’s office for consultation by members of the Committee or by their staff.

It was agreed, — That forty-eight (48) hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration; and that the notice of motion be filed with the Clerk of the Committee and distributed to members in both official languages;

That, for motions requiring forty-eight (48) hours’ notice, the Chair be authorized to defer consideration until fifteen (15) minutes prior to the adjournment time for the meeting as indicated in the notice of meeting and that these motions be received no later than 4:00 p.m.

It was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase documents for the use of the Committee.

It was agreed, — That the Committee be authorized to purchase gifts to be presented to foreign hosts and visiting delegations.

On motion of Bob Dechert, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Orders 108(1) and 108(2), a Subcommittee on International Human Rights to be chaired by a member elected by the Subcommittee, be established to inquire into matters relating to the promotion of respect for international human rights, as may be referred to it by the Committee;

That the Subcommittee be composed of seven (7) members or associate members of which four (4) shall be government members, two (2) shall be New Democratic Party members, and one (1) from the Liberal Party, to be named following the usual consultations with the Whips;

That the Subcommittee be empowered to send for persons, papers and records, to receive evidence, to sit during a time when the Committee is not sitting in Ottawa, to sit when the Committee is sitting outside the Parliamentary Precinct and to sit during periods when the House stands adjourned; and

That the Chair of the Subcommittee meet with the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Committee at their mutual discretion.

At 9:40 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.