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FAIT Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 67

THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1998

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 10:48 o’clock a.m., this day, in Room 209 of the West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Jean Augustine, Colleen Beaumier, John Cannis, Maud Debien, Raymonde Folco, Bill Graham, Ted McWhinney, Bob Mills, Julian Reed, Benoît Sauvageau, Bob Speller, Daniel Turp.

In attendance: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Research Officers.

Witnesses: From the "École spéciale militaire de St Cyr-Coëtquidan", France: Camille Grand, Associate Lecturer.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study of Canada’s policy on nuclear non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament.

Camille Grand made an opening statement and answered questions.

Bill Graham moved, --That whereas the strong support of international law has always been a cornerstone of Canadian foreign policy;

Whereas in recent years the international community has made significant progress toward the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court which will ensure both the deterrence and the just punishment of such crimes as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity;

Whereas Canada has played an important role in this process leading up to the final Diplomatic Conference in Rome from June 15 to July 17 1998 to establish the Court, chairing the group of like-minded states attempting to develop greater consensus on the outstanding issues;

Whereas the Committee organized a roundtable on June 9 1998 to be briefed by Non-Governmental and Government representatives on the key outstanding issues to be addressed at the Rome Conference;

The Committee recommends that at this Conference and subsequently, the Government of Canada:

  • Continue to work toward the establishment of an effective and genuinely independent International Criminal Court. Such a Court should be cost-effective, should co-operate rather than conflict with the Security Council, and should complement rather than attempt to replace national judicial processes;
  • Recognize that such a Court must be independent in order to be effective, and this may require proceeding initially without the support of all states, including some permanent members of the UN Security Council;
  • Brief this Committee as early as possible following the Conference on its outcome and consult with it on the necessary follow-up action;
  • Increase its efforts to inform Canadians about the International Criminal Court and to engage the participation of parliamentarians in shaping and realizing Canadian objectives in regard to establishing the Court.

And debate arising thereon.

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

Janice Hilchie

 

 

Clerk of the Committee