THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, April 19, 2023
(41)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 4:04 p.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Peter M. Boehm, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boehm, Boniface, Coyle, Deacon (Ontario), Gerba, Harder, P.C., MacDonald, Ravalia, Richards and Woo (10).

Participating in the meeting: Angus Wilson, Procedural Clerk, Committees Directorate; Nadia Faucher, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

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

WITNESSES:

Global Affairs Canada:

Sandra McCardell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb and Champion of the Women Network (by videoconference);

Ayesha Rekhi, Ambassador to the Czech Republic and Champion for the Visible Minorities Network (by videoconference);

Vikas Sharma, Executive Director, Andean Region Division and Champion for the Persons with Disabilities Network;

Stewart Wheeler, Chief of Protocol of Canada and Director General of the Summits Management Office and Champion of the 2SLGBTQI+ Network.

Sandra McCardell made a statement and, together with Ayesha Rekhi, Vikas Sharma and Stewart Wheeler, answered questions.

At 5:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Chantal Cardinal

Clerk of the Committee