FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 4:39 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

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

That the list of witness for Afghanistan agreed to in the previous session be resubmitted to the Committee and agreed to, and that new names may be added to the list and that meetings be held on Afghanistan as soon as possible;

That the Committee hold a session on Sudan, Tuesday February 26, 2008 and invite witnesses from the relevant government departments as well as other witnesses.

Vivian Barbot moved, — That, following the tabling and release of the Government’s response to the Advisory Group Report on the National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Industry in Developing Countries (tabled on March 29, 2007), the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development invite the relevant Ministers to appear before the Committee to explain the Government’s response.

Debate arose thereon.

Borys Wrzesnewskyj moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words: “tabled on March 29, 2007)”, the following: “as ten months have passed since the roundtable and the Government has not tabled the response”.

By unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

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

Deepak Obhrai moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2) the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development undertake a study investigating the effectiveness and quality of Canada’s food aid policy and whether current methods of delivery meet the objectives established under the Food Aid Convention.

Debate arose thereon.

Vivian Barbot moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the words “food aid policy” the following: “whether the local productive capacity of developing countries is sufficient to feed their populations and export agricultural products ”.

Debate arose thereon.

At 5:29 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.