Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 10, 2010
(1)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 4:18 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 Andreychuk, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Downe, Finley, Fortin-Duplessis, Mahovlich, Nolin, Segal, Smith, P.C., Stollery and Wallin (12).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Robichaud, P.C. (1).
In attendance: Natalie Mychajlyszyn, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament and Karen Schwinghamer, Communications Officer, Senate of Canada.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
The acting clerk of the committee presided over the election of the chair.
The Honourable Senator Nolin moved:
That the Honourable Senator Andreychuk do take the chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Andreychuk took the chair.
The Honourable Senator Mahovlich moved:
That the Honourable Senator Stollery be deputy chair of this committee.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
It was agreed:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the chair, the deputy chair and Senator Finlay; 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 Honourable Senator Smith, P.C. moved:
That the committee publish its proceedings; and
That the chair be authorized to set the number of printed copies to meet demand.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Finley moved:
That, pursuant to rule 89, the chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the publication 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 Downe 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, directs the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries, and draft reports.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved:
That, pursuant to 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;
That, pursuant to 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; and
That, notwithstanding the foregoing, in cases related to consultants and personnel services, the authority to commit funds and certify accounts be conferred jointly on the chair and deputy chair.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Fortin-Duplessis 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 Wallin 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; and
That the subcommittee report at the earliest opportunity any decisions taken with respect to the designation of members of the committee travelling on committee business.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Mahovlich 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 Wallin moved:
That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to direct communications officer(s) assigned to the committee in the development of communications plans where appropriate and to request the services of the Senate Communications Directorate for the purposes of their development and implementation;
That the chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of the committee's 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 4:36 p.m., the committee proceeded to consider its agenda (future business).
The Honourable Senator Fortin-Duplessis moved:
That the chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate for the following order of reference:
That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade be authorized to examine and report on the rise of Russia, India and China in the global economy and the implications for Canadian policy;
That the papers and evidence received and taken and the work accomplished by the committee on this subject during the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament and during the Second Session of the Fortieth Parliament be referred to the committee; and
That the committee presents its final report no later than June 30, 2010 and retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings until December 31, 2010.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
The Honourable Senator Wallin moved:
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 and international trade generally; and
That the committee report to the Senate no later than March 31, 2011.
After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.
At 4:55 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Gérald Lafrenière
Acting Clerk of the Committee
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 18, 2010
(2)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera this day at 10:33 a.m., in room 160-S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Downe, Finley, Fortin-Duplessis, Hubley, Nolin, Segal, Smith, Wallin and Zimmer (12).
Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Robichaud (1).
In attendance: Natalie Mychajlyszyn, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, the committee commenced its study on the rise of China, India and Russia in the global economy and the implications for Canadian policy.
It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room.
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee considered a draft report.
At 10:53 a.m., pursuant to rule 92(2)(e), the committee considered a draft agenda (future business).
At 11:05 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Denis Robert
Clerk of the committee