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AFGH Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
 
Meeting No. 3
 
Thursday, March 25, 2010
 

The Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan met at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, the Chair, Kevin Sorenson, presiding.

 

Members of the Committee present: Hon. Jim Abbott, Claude Bachand, Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh, Jack Harris, Laurie Hawn, Francine Lalonde, Deepak Obhrai, Hon. Bob Rae, Kevin Sorenson and Hon. Bryon Wilfert.

 

Acting Members present: Paul Calandra for Bob Dechert, Cheryl Gallant for Dave MacKenzie and Cathy McLeod for Hon. Jim Abbott.

 

In attendance: Library of Parliament: James Lee, Analyst; Christine Kostiuk, Analyst.

 

Appearing: Hon. Mr. Lawrence Cannon, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs.

 

Witnesses: Privy Council Office: Greta Bossenmaier, Deputy Minister, Afghanistan Task Force. Department of National Defence: William F. Pentney, Associate Deputy Minister; Robert Davidson, Director of Staff, Strategic Joint Staff. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Jillian Stirk, Assistant Deputy Minister, Afghanistan Task Force. Canadian International Development Agency: Françoise Ducros, Vice-President, Afghanistan Task Force.

 
Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the Committee commenced its study on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan.
 

The Minister made a statement and, with Greta Bossenmaier and Jillian Stirk, answered questions.

 

At 4:31 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:32 p.m., the sitting resumed.

 

Greta Bossenmaier made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.

 

At 5:17 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:19 p.m., the sitting resumed.

 

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Laurie Hawn, — That the Committee begin without delay to investigate and study Canada's preparations and plans for the withdrawal of Canadian Forces from Afghanistan in 2011, and Canada's whole of government efforts and plans in Afghanistan post 2011, in light of the fact that the end of Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan is quickly approaching in 2011, and that the Committee was constituted to specifically study the mission's purpose and changing nature in a whole of government context, and that the policy relevance and importance of these plans are clearly of immediate concern and primary importance.

 

The Committee resumed consideration of the amendment of Bryon Wilfert, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “begin without delay to” with the words “, on condition that it first complete its study on the transfer of Afghan detainees,”.

 

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Bryon Wilfert and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

 

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

 

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee, on condition that it first complete its study on the transfer of Afghan detainees, investigate and study Canada's preparations and plans for the withdrawal of Canadian Forces from Afghanistan in 2011, and Canada's whole of government efforts and plans in Afghanistan post 2011, in light of the fact that the end of Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan is quickly approaching in 2011, and that the Committee was constituted to specifically study the mission's purpose and changing nature in a whole of government context, and that the policy relevance and importance of these plans are clearly of immediate concern and primary importance.

 

At 5:26 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

 

At 5:27 p.m., the Committee resumed sitting in camera.

 

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $243,801 for travel by the Committee in 2010 be adopted, and that the Chair present the said budget to the Board of Internal Economy.

 

At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

 



Carmen DePape
Clerk of the Committee

 
 
2010/03/29 1:02 p.m.