Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 13, 2007
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 5:30 p.m., in room 160- S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Dawson, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Mahovlich, Rivest, Smith, P.C., and Stollery (8).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Peterson (1).
In attendance: Peter Berg, James Lee and Michael Holden, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to rule 88, the clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Stollery moved that the Honourable Senator Di Nino do take the chair of the committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Di Nino took the chair.
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 adopted.
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 schedule hearings.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Mahovlich moved:
That the committee print copies of its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Mahovlich 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Mahovlich moved:
That the committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign 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.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Corbin moved:
That the committee adopt the draft first report, prepared in accordance with rule 104.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Smith, P.C. 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Dawson 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 adopted.
The Honourable Senator Corbin 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.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Corbin moved:
That pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling 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 second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Rivest 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 adopted.
At 6 p.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded in camera to discuss its agenda (future business).
It was agreed that senators' staff who are present in the room be permitted to remain for the in camera session.
At 6:05 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gérald Lafrenière
Acting Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 20, 2007
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day in camera, in room 160-S, Centre Block, at 5:50 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, presiding.
Members of the Committee presents: The Honourable Senators Corbin, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Downe, Grafstein, Johnson, Mahovlich, Smith, P.C, and Stollery (9).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Spivak (1).
In attendance: Peter Berg, James Lee and Michael Holden, Research Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to stay in the room.
It was agreed that the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to examine the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in accordance with rule 86(1)(h) be authorized to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to Foreign relations generally; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later than June 30, 2009.
It was agreed that the committee seek emergency funds in the amount of $5,000.
At 6:22 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Tuesday, November 27, 2007
(3)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day in camera, in room 160-S, Centre Block, at 5:43 p.m., the Chair, the Honourable Consiglio Di Nino, presiding.
Members of the committee presents: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Dawson, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Downe, Johnson, Mahovlich, Rivest, Smith, P.C, and Stollery (10).
In attendance: Peter Berg, James Lee and Michael Holden, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee proceeded to consider a draft agenda.
It was agreed that senators' staff be allowed to stay in the room.
It was agreed that the following legislative budget application be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for its approval:
| Professional and other services | $ 6,000 |
| Transportation and communications | 750 |
| All other expenditures | 1,000 |
| TOTAL | $ 7,750 |
It was agreed that the following budget application (study on foreign relations) be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for its approval:
| Professional and other services | $ 23,500 |
| Transportation and communications | 45,250 |
| All other expenditures | 1,500 |
| TOTAL | $ 70,250 |
At 6:21 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Keli Hogan
Clerk of the Committee