FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 11:05 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

That the Committee begin a study of Bill C-9, An Act to implement the Convention on the Settlement of Investments Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (ICSID Convention) on Thursday November 22, 2007, by inviting the Minister of Foreign Affairs and senior department officials;

That the Committee instruct the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair, to prepare a study budget for each study that the Committee agrees to carry out and instruct the Chair to present said budgets to the Subcommitee on Budgets of the Liaison Committee;

That the Committee attend a conference in Ottawa on December 11, 2007, entitled “Peacebuilding in Afghanistan: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead“, sponsored by the University of Ottawa, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in place of its normal meeting on that day from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;

That the Committee seek permission to travel off the Parliamentary Precincts to attend a conference on Afghanistan, at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa on December 11, 2007;

That the Committee meet with representatives from the Canadian Food Security Policy Group on December 4, 2007.

On motion of Denis Lebel, it was agreed, — That the report of the Subcommittee be concurred in.

On motion of Vivian Barbot, it was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the first Vice-Chair, a Member from the Bloc Québécois, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Member from the New Democratic Party.

Paul Dewar moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (i) undertake an evaluation of Canada's mission in Afghanistan with particular focus on Canada’s diplomatic and development capacity and (ii) examine opportunities by which Canada and the international community can effectively support the initiation of a renewed peace process at the local, regional and international levels, to provide a political solution for lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Debate arose thereon.

Vivian Barbot moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words after “That” with the words “the Committee undertake a study on Canada’s mission in Afghanistan; that this study begin with the adoption of all testimony pertaining to this question and heard by the Committee during the previous session of Parliament, so that testimony can be deemed adduced by the Committee in the current session; that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee invite the relevant representatives of the government, stakeholders from non-government organizations and experts to appear before the Committee at the earliest possible time, with a view to completing this study, making sure to assess, among other aspects, CIDA's participation in Afghanistan and also making sure to investigate possible approaches to establishing a lasting peace in Afghanistan, and, in order to make recommendations on Canada’s role in Afghanistan at the end of the present mission; and that the Committee make a preliminary report to the House of Commons by December 14, 2007”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Vivian Barbot and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee undertake a study on Canada’s mission in Afghanistan; that this study begin with the adoption of all testimony pertaining to this question and heard by the Committee during the previous session of Parliament, so that testimony can be deemed adduced by the Committee in the current session; that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee invite the relevant representatives of the government, stakeholders from non-government organizations and experts to appear before the Committee at the earliest possible time, with a view to completing this study, making sure to assess, among other aspects, CIDA's participation in Afghanistan and also making sure to investigate possible approaches to establishing a lasting peace in Afghanistan, and, in order to make recommendations on Canada’s role in Afghanistan at the end of the present mission; and that the Committee make a preliminary report to the House of Commons by December 14, 2007.

Paul Dewar moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, as part of its ongoing concern for the crisis in Sudan and consideration of issues of corporate social responsibility, invite senior officials from DFAIT, CIDA, and other relevant departments, as well as experts and civil society organizations, to appear before the committee to share knowledge about what Canadian public and private funds are currently invested in Sudan, and explore legislative initiatives the Canadian government could put forward to set regulations for such investments, and report to the House on its findings.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

At 12:40 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:47 p.m., the sitting resumed.

On motion of Peter Goldring, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development conduct a study of the violent response of the Burmese regime to democratic movements in Burma.

On motion of Bryon Wilfert, it was agreed, — That pursuant to Standing Order 81(5) the Committee hold a meeting to study the Supplementary Estimates by November 27, 2007 and that the appropriate Ministers and senior officials be invited to appear before the Committee.

At 1:03 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.