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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on 
Foreign Affairs

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings


OTTAWA, Tuesday May 2, 2006
(1)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 6:32 p.m. in room 160-S of the Centre Block for an organizational meeting, pursuant to rule 88 of the Senate.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Dawson, Di Nino, Mahovlich, Merchant, Segal and Stollery (7).

Also present: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg, Research Analyst.

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee held an organizational meeting, pursuant to rule 88 of the Senate.

The clerk presided over the election of the chair.

The Honourable Senator Stollery moved:

That the Honourable Senator Segal do take the chair of the committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.

The Honourable Senator Segal presided over the meeting.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved:

That the Honourable Senator Stollery be deputy chair of the committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.

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.

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.

The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino 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 Stollery 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.

The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino 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.

The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.

The Honourable Senator Dawson 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) 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.

The question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.

The Honourable Senator Dawson 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 Dawson 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 committee discussed future business.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved:

That the question of orders of reference be referred to the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.

And the question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.

At 7:06 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:


OTTAWA, Tuesday May 16, 2006
(2)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 5:01 p.m. in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Hugh Segal, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin, Dawson, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Downe, Mahovlich, Merchant, Segal, St. Germain, P.C. and Stollery (11).

Also present: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg and Marcus Pistor, Research Analysts.

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday May 9, 2006, the committee undertook to examine and report on the development and security challenges facing Africa; the response of the international community to enhance that continent's development and political stability; Canadian foreign policy as it relates to Africa; and other related matters.

APPEARING:

The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs.

WITNESSES:

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:

Ian Ferguson, Director General, Africa Bureau;

Tim Martin, Senior Director and Deputy Head, Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START) Secretariat;

Wendy Gilmour, Director, Peacekeeping and Peace Operations Group and Sudan Task Force.

The chair made a statement.

The minister gave a presentation and, together with Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Gilmour, answered questions.

At 6:16 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:


OTTAWA, Wednesday May 17, 2006
(3)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 4:01 p.m. in camera, pursuant to rule 92(2)(f) of the Senate, in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Hugh Segal, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Dawson, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Downe, Mahovlich, Merchant, Segal, St. Germain, P.C. and Stollery (10).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Stratton (1).

Also present: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg, Research Analyst.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, the committee continued to examine the development and security challenges facing Africa; the response of the international community to enhance that continent's development and political stability; Canadian foreign policy as it relates to Africa; and other related matters.

It was agreed that senators' assistants be allowed to attend the meeting.

Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f) of the Senate, the committee considered a draft report.

At 5:36 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

François Michaud

Clerk of the Committee


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