FAAE Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 34

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development met at 9:02 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Hon. Jim Abbott, Lois Brown, Johanne Deschamps, Paul Dewar, Peter Goldring, Francine Lalonde, James Lunney, Deepak Obhrai, Bernard Patry, Glen Douglas Pearson, Hon. Bob Rae and Kevin Sorenson.

Acting Members present: Hon. John McKay for Glen Douglas Pearson.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: James Lee, Analyst ; Allison Goody, Analyst.

Witnesses: Halifax Initiative Coalition: Karyn Keenan, Program Officer. Canadian International Development Agency: Christopher MacLennan, Director General, Thematic and Sectoral Policy Directorate; Bill Singleton, Senior Economic Policy Advisor, Strategic Policy and Performance Branch; Hélène Giroux, Director General, South America, Americas, Geographic Programs Branch.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, April 22, 2009, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-300, An Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries.

Karyn Keenan made a statement and answered questions.

At 9:51 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:53 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Christopher MacLennan made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

At 10:34 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:36 a.m., the Committee resumed sitting in camera.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

It was agreed, — That, given the highly preoccupying situation in Honduras; given Canada has made the Americas a foreign policy priority, identifying democracy, human rights and rule of law, as central to its Americas Strategy; given that Honduras is one of the 20 priority countries for Canadian aid; and given the important role that Canada plays in the region, mainly as president of the G-16 group of donors for Honduras, and as member of the Organization of American States;
That the Committee invite the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), the Hon. Peter Kent, to appear soon after his visit to Honduras on October 7, 2009, to present Canada’s position and shed light on questions raised by Canada’s actions.

It was agreed, — That a meeting of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be organized for the week of October 26, 2009, in order to discuss the parameters of the study on the treatment of Canadians abroad and the list of potential witnesses for the meetings scheduled on November 3 and 5, 2009.

It was agreed, — That the Committee hold an informal meeting on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, with Israeli Professor Asher Susser, an expert in the Middle East, in order that he may provide members with an update on the latest developments in that region.

At 11:03 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Carmen DePape
Clerk of the Committee

2010/01/15 3:40 p.m.