THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, April 28, 2022
(7)

[English]

Pursuant to the order of the Senate of March 31, 2022, the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 11:29 a.m. ET in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, and with videoconference, the chair, the Honourable Peter M. Boehm, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boehm, Cordy, Coyle, Greene, MacDonald, Oh and Ravalia (7).

Members of the committee present by videoconference: The Honourable Senators Boniface, Deacon (Ontario), Gerba, Richards and Woo (5).

Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Omidvar (1).

Participating in the meeting: Sara Gajic, Legislative Clerk and Maritza Jean-Pierre, Administrative Assistant, Committees Directorate; Nadia Faucher and Brian Hermon, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 24, 2022, the committee continued its study of the Canadian foreign service and elements of the foreign policy machinery within Global Affairs Canada.

WITNESSES (by videoconference):

As individuals:

Abbie Dann, Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO);

Gilles Rivard, Fellow, Montreal Institute of International Studies;

Len Edwards, former deputy minister of international trade, foreign affairs.

Abbie Dann, Gilles Rivard and Len Edwards each made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:27 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:31 p.m., the committee resumed.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 10, 2022, the committee continued its study on foreign relations and international trade generally. (Topic: Situation in Ukraine)

APPEARING:

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs.

WITNESSES:

Global Affairs Canada:

Sandra McCardell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb;

Kevin Hamilton, Director General, International Security Policy.

The minister made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee