Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday October 19, 2004
(1)
[Translation ]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 5 p.m. in room 160-S of the Centre Block for an organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88 of the Senate.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Corbin, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Downe, Eyton, Grafstein, Mahovlich, Prud'homme, P.C., Robichaud, P.C. and Stollery (10).
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
The committee held an organization meeting, pursuant to rule 88.
The Clerk oversaw the election of the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved:
That the Honourable Senator Stollery be Chair of the Committee.
The Honourable Senator Prud'homme moved:
That the Honourable Senator Downe be Chair of the Committee.
Following debate and the question being put on the motion of the Honourable Senator Di Nino, the results were as follows:
YEAS:
The Honourable Senators: Corbin, De Bané, PC, Di Nino, Downe, Mahvolich, Prud'homme, PC, Stollery — 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The Honourable Stollery was invited to take the Chair.
The Honourable Senator Stollery moved:
That the Honourable Senator Di Nino be Deputy Chair of the Committee.
The question being put on the motion, the results were as follows:
YEAS:
The Honourable Senators: Corbin, De Bané, PC, Di Nino, Downe, Mahovlich, Prud'homme, PC, Robichaud, PC and Stollery — 8
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The Honourable Senator Stollery moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Honourable Senator Corbin; and
That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses, and to schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved:
That the committee print its proceedings; and
That the Chair be authorized to set the number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved:
That, pursuant to rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from both the government and the opposition be present.
A debate ensued, following which the Honourable Senator Prud'homme, P.C., moved that the motion be amended by adding the word ``official'' before the word ``opposition.''
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The committee resumed debate on the motion of the Honourable Senator Di Nino.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
A debate ensued, following which the question was put on the motion and was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Mahovlich moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research analysts to the committee;
That the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills, and estimates as are referred to it;
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee and
That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Downe moved:
That pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee; and
That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 8, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair, and the Clerk of the Committee.
A debate ensued, following which it was agreed to substitute the following in place of the first paragraph of the motion:
That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, and section 7, Chapter 3:06 of the Senate Administrative Rules, authority to commit funds be conferred to the Chair or Vice-Chair, and to the Clerk of the Committee; and
Following debate and the question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Prud'homme moved:
That the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.
A debate ensued, following which the question was put on the motion and was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Grafstein moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:
(1) determine whether any member of the Committee is on ``official business'' for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and
(2) consider any member of the committee to be on ``official business'' if that member is: (a) attending an event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.
Following debate, the question was put on the motion and it was resolved in the affirmative.
YEAS:
The Honourable Senators: Di Nino, Downe, Eyton, Grafstein, Mahovlich, Stollery — 6
NAYS:
The Honourable Senator: Prud'homme, P.C. — 1
ABSTENTIONS:
The Honourable Senators: Corbin, Robichaud, P.C. — 2
The Honourable Senator Corbin moved:
That pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable traveling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Prud'homme moved:
That the Chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.
The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
The Honourable Senator Downe moved:
That the Chair seek to obtain the following Order of Reference from the Senate:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, in accordance with Rule 86(1)(h), be authorized to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to foreign relations; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2006.
A debate ensued, following which the question was put on the motion and was resolved in the affirmative.
At 6:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 3, 2004
(2)
[Translation ]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 4:05 p.m. in a joint session with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Peter A. Stollery, and M.P. Bernard Patry, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Banks, Corbin, De Bané, P.C., Grafstein, Prud'homme, P.C., Robichaud, P.C. and Stollery (8).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Milne and Poy (2).
Members of the House of Commons Committee present: Stockwell Day, Francine Lalonde, Lawrence MacAulay, P.C., Dan McTeague, P.C., Ted Menzies, Bernard Patry, Beth Phinney and Kevin Sorenson (8).
Alternate members present: Peter Golding (for Belinda Stronach) (1).
Associate member present: Don Boudria (1).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Blayne Haggart and Marcus Pistor, Research Analysts.
Also present: Stephen Knowles, Clerk of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference passed by the Senate on Wednesday October 27, 2004, the committee held a joint meeting with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in order to meet with a delegation of German parliamentarians.
WITNESSES:
Members of Parliament (Bundestag):
Ursula Lietz, Chair of the Delegation;
Bernhard Brinkmann;
Klaus-Peter Flosbach;
Monika Heubaum;
Sibylle Laurischk;
Eberhard Otto.
The Co-Chairs made a statement.
At 4: 15 p.m., Mr. Sorenson took the Chair. (House of Commons committee).
Ms. Lietz made a presentation and along with other members of the delegation, answered questions.
At 5:24 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
François Michaud
Clerk of the Committee