FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 11:08 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Peter Goldring, it was agreed, — That Kevin Sorenson be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Keith Martin, it was agreed, — That Bryon Wilfert be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Caroline St-Hilaire, it was agreed, — That Vivian Barbot be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Kevin Sorenson took the Chair.

It was agreed, — That the Chair, the two Vice-Chairs, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Member from the New Democratic Party do compose the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

It was agreed, — That the Committee retain the services of one or more analysts from the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament, as needed, to assist it in its work, at the discretion of the Chair.

Wajid Khan 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 3 members are present, including a member of the opposition.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Dean Allison, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “opposition” the following: “but when travelling outside the parliamentary precinct, that the meeting begin after 15 minutes, regardless of members present”.

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

Bryon Wilfert 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 ten (10) minutes for the first questioner of each party when a Minister appears before the Committee and five (5) minutes for the other meetings; and that thereafter five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner alternating between Government and Opposition parties.

Debate arose thereon.

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

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

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

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.

Bernard Patry moved, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each Committee member be allowed to have one staff person at in camera meetings.

Debate arose thereon.

On motion of Keith Martin, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “meetings” the following: “and that one additional person from each party be allowed to be present”.

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

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.

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

Dean Allison moved, — That twenty-four (24) hours’ notice be required for any substantive motion to be considered by the Committee, unless the susbstantive 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.

On motion of Peter Goldring, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “twenty-four (24)” with the words “forty-eight (48)”.

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

It was agreed, — That, for motions requiring forty-eight (48) hours’ notice, the Chair be authorized to defer consideration until 15 minutes prior to the adjournment time for the meeting as indicated in the Notice of the meeting.

Bryon Wilfert moved, — 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 three (3) shall be government members and two (2) shall be Liberal members, one shall be from the Bloc Québécois and one from the New Democratic Party, to be named following the usual consultations with the Whips; and 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 Parliamentary Precinct and to sit during periods when the House stands adjourned.

On motion of Keith Martin, it was agreed, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “when the House stands adjourned” the following: “and the Chair of the Subcommittee meet with the Steering Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee at their mutual discretion”.

At 12:03 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.