Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on 
Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Issue No. 3 -  Minutes of Proceedings - March 23, 2016

OTTAWA, Wednesday, March 23, 2016
(11)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room 160- S, Centre Block, the chair, the Honourable A. Raynell Andreychuk, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Beyak, Downe, Johnson, Ngo, Oh, Poirier, Rivard and Smith (Cobourg), P.C. (9).

In attendance: Nathalie Mychajlyszyn and Pascal Tremblay, analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Service, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the committee began its study on opportunities for strengthening cooperation with Mexico since the tabling, in June 2015, of the committee report entitled North American Neighbours: Maximizing Opportunities and Strengthening Cooperation for a More Prosperous Future.

Pursuant to Rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee considered a draft agenda (future business) in camera.

The chair made an opening statement.

It was agreed that senators' staff be permitted to remain in the room during the in camera portion of the meeting.

At 4:20 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the committee began its study on recent political and economic developments in Argentina in the context of their potential impact on regional and global dynamics, including on Canadian policy and interests, and other related matters and, pursuant to Rule 12-16(1)(d), considered a draft agenda (future business).

At 4:24 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:25 p.m., the committee resumed in public and, pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, continued its study on opportunities for strengthening cooperation with Mexico since the tabling, in June 2015, of the committee report entitled North American Neighbours: Maximizing Opportunities and Strengthening Cooperation for a More Prosperous Future, and considered a draft budget.

It was agreed that the following budget request (study on opportunities for strengthening cooperation with Mexico), for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, be adopted and submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

GENERAL EXPENSES

ACTIVITY 1: Presentation to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate of Mexico (Mexico City)	$ 8,952
TOTAL	$ 8,952

At 4:26 p.m., pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the committee continued its study on recent political and economic developments in Argentina in the context of their potential impact on regional and global dynamics, including on Canadian policy and interests, and other related matters, and considered a draft budget.

It was agreed that the following budget request (recent political and economic developments in Argentina), for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, be adopted and submitted to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

GENERAL EXPENSES

ACTIVITY 1: Argentina (Buenos Aires) and Chile (Santiago)	$ 249,126
TOTAL	$ 249,126

At 4:28 p.m., pursuant to Rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft report.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, the committee continued its study on foreign relations and international trade generally. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 1.)

It was agreed:

That the report on democracy and human rights in Russia be adopted;

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to approve the final version of the report and make any editorial, grammatical and translation changes deemed necessary;

That the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate, as soon as possible.

At 4:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Danielle Labonté

Clerk of the Committee