FAIT Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 9:35 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Bill Graham, Stan Keyes, Diane Marleau, Pat O'Brien, Denis Paradis, Bernard Patry, Svend Robinson, Monte Solberg.

Acting Members present: Mac Harb for Colleen Beaumier; Yves Rocheleau for Pierre Paquette; James Moore for Keith Martin.

In attendance: From the Library of Parliament: James Lee; John M. Wright.

The Committee proceeded to examine its future business.

The Chair presented the First Report of the Sub-committee on Agenda and Procedure which is as follows:

Your Sub-Committee met on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 to consider the future business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

It was agreed, -- That the respective Chairs of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights and International Development and the Sub-Committee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment be invited to attend meetings of the Committee’s Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure

It was agreed, -- That the Committee hold a number of hearings on the Summit of the Americas and FTAA and that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Trade be invited to appear before the Committee.

It was agreed, -- That Members of the Committee should submit to the Clerk a proposed list of individuals or organisations to appear during the hearings on the Summit of the Americas and the FTAA.

It was agreed, -- That in anticipation of the referral to the Committee of Bill C-6, An Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act, that Committee Members send a list of witnesses they propose that the Committee invite to the Clerk of the Committee.

It was agreed, -- That the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure meet again in April to consider other potential studies that have been proposed

Ordered – That the Clerk organize an informal meeting of the Members of the Committee who travelled to the South Caucasus and Central Asia during the Committee’s study of Canada’s foreign policy interests in those regions.

It was agreed, --That the First Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure, as amended, be concurred in.

It was agreed – That in relation to its examination of the Summit of the Americas and the FTAA, the Committee approve a list of witnesses to be grouped into panels, with, to the extent possible, a balance of views being represented at each meeting and that changes to the panels made necessary for logistical reasons be made at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed – That the list of potential topics for studies developed by Members of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be circulated to Committee Members for consideration at a future meeting;

It was agreed - That the Sub-Committee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment should be permitted to sit more than once a week to complete its studies on Softwood Lumber and on Canada's Economic Relations with Europe;

It was agreed - That the Committee approve a supplementary budget for its operating expenditures for the period ending March 31, 2001, in the amount of $15,300.

It was agreed - That the Sub-Committee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment be authorised to undertake a study of Canada's economic relations with Europe, that eight (8) members oft he Sub-Committee along with the necessary Sub-Committee staff be authorised to travel to London, Paris, Geneva, Berlin, Brussels and Dublin during the period of April 22 to May 5, 2001; and that the Committee approve the budget in the amount of $112, 238 for the travel.

It was agreed – That the Committee hold a meeting to receive an update from departmental officials regarding Canada's foreign policy interests in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

At 10:00 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Marie Danielle Vachon

Clerk of the Committee