FAAE Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 55

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 8:50 a.m. this day, in Room 306, La Promenade Building, the Chair, Dean Allison, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Dean Allison, Lois Brown, Paul Dewar, Nina Grewal, Hélène Laverdière, Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, Ève Péclet, Gary Ralph Schellenberger, Dave Van Kesteren and John Williamson.

Acting Members present: Dennis Bevington for Romeo Saganash and Ed Holder for Bob Dechert.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Allison Goody, Analyst ; James Lee, Analyst.

Witnesses: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Sigrid Anna Johnson, Canadian Senior Arctic Official; Alan H. Kessel, Legal Adviser; Jillian Stirk, Assistant Deputy Minister, Global Issues, Strategic Policy and Europe.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on February 1, 2012, the Committee commenced its study of Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy.

Jillian Stirk, Alan H. Kessel and Sigrid Anna Johnson each made a statement and answered questions.

At 10:22 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:25 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Paul Dewar moved, — That, with regards to the growing humanitarian crisis in Syria, the Committee call on the Government of Canada to: support the peace-building efforts in Syria by making new financial contributions to the work of UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi; provide emergency humanitarian assistance to address the growing refugee crisis in Syria with particular attention to the issue of violence against women; and, expedite the process of family reunification for Syrians sponsored by Syrian-Canadians.

Lois Brown moved, — That the motion be amended as follows:

That the Committee note and welcome the substantial efforts taken to date by the Government of Canada to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria and in the broader region; that the Committee encourage the Government to continue to consider additional financial contributions that would provide tangible results by assisting those most in need; support the Government’s efforts to expedite family reunification for Syrians who are sponsored by Syrian-Canadians and who face individualized personal risk; and that, following its adoption, the Committee report this motion back to the House.

It was agreed, — That the debate be now adjourned.

At 10:27 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:28 a.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

It was agreed, — That the Committee invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of International Cooperation, to discuss the Supplementary Estimates (B), 2012-2013.

At 10:38 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Miriam Burke
Clerk of the Committee

2012/11/23 9:16 a.m.