Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Issue 9 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of March 7, 2012
OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 7, 2012
(19)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 4:28 p.m., this day, 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., Downe, Fortin- Duplessis, Johnson, Mahovlich, Nolin, Robichaud, P.C., Smith, P.C., (Cobourg), Stratton and Wallin (11).
In attendance: Natalie Mychajlyszyn and Brian Hermon, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, the committee continued its examination on the establishment of a "Charter of the Commonwealth" as agreed to by the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth, Australia, in October 2011 and its implications for Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 8.)
WITNESSES:
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association — Parliament of Canada:
Russ Hiebert, M.P., Chair;
Joe Preston, M.P., Member.
As individuals:
Richard Bourne, Senior Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London (by video conference);
Arthur Donahoe, Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (by video conference);
Nick Hare, Former Commonwealth Deputy Secretary (Development Cooperation).
Mr. Hiebert and Mr. Preston each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 4:57 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:17 p.m., the committee resumed.
Messrs. Bourne, Donahoe and Hare each made a statement and, together, answered questions.
At 6:16 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Daniel Charbonneau
Acting Clerk of the Committee