FAAE Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 9:04 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, for the purpose of electing a Chair, pursuant to Standing Order 106(1).

On motion of Lois Brown, it was agreed, — That Kevin A. Sorenson be elected Chair of the Committee.

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

On motion of Peter Goldring, it was agreed, — That Bernard Patry be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

On motion of Johanne Deschamps, it was agreed, — That Francine Lalonde be elected Second Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Kevin A. Sorenson took the Chair.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed with the consideration of the Ninth Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure; and that following adoption of the Report, witnesses be heard on the issue of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention.

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

Your Subcommittee met on Thursday, September 17, 2009, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

That a visiting delegation from the Burmese democracy movement be invited to meet with members of the Committee in the first part of the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, September 29, 2009; to be followed by a discussion on committee business;

That the Committee devote the meeting scheduled on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, for a review of the Amendment to the Convention on Future Multilateral Cooperation in the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries, as presented in the House by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Friday, June 12, 2009; and that witnesses be invited to take part in the meeting, including departmental officials;

That, in accordance with Standing Order 97.1 (1), the Committee adopt a motion requesting a single extension of thirty sitting days for the consideration of Bill C-300, An Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries; and that the Committee hold meetings on October 1, 8 and 27, November 3 and 5, and, if necessary, on November 17 and 19, subject to the House granting the Committee a thirty day extension to complete its study of the Bill;

That, in accordance with the motion adopted by the Committee on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, meetings be held on Tuesday, October 20 and Thursday, October 22, on the subject of the Treatment of Canadians Abroad by the Canadian Government; and that members of the Committee determine as soon as possible the exact parameters for this study; and

That the Committee invite the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights & Democracy) to appear for one hour on Thursday, October 29, in order to discuss the statutory review of their programs and activities; and that the Halifax Institute appear in the second hour concerning the G-8 summit to be hosted by Canada in 2010.

On motion of Bernard Patry, it was agreed, — That the Ninth Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be adopted.

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

At 10:13 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Alan H. Kessel, David Balfour, Bob Applebaum, Scott Parsons and the Hon. Tom Hedderson made statements and answered questions.

At 11:01 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.