THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, April 20, 2023
(42)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 11:31 a.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, Cardozo, Coyle, Deacon (Ontario), Gerba, Housakos, MacDonald, Ravalia 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.

WITNESS:

As an individual:

The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, P.C., Former Minister of Foreign Affairs (by videoconference).

The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, P.C. made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:30 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:31 p.m., pursuant to rule 12-16(1), the committee resumed in camera to consider a draft report.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, October 17, 2022, the committee continued its comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Sergei Magnitsky Law, and the Special Economic Measures Act.

It was agreed that committee members’ staff be allowed to remain in the room during the in- camera portion of the meeting.

It was agreed that the committee allow the transcription of the in camera portion of the meeting, that one copy be kept with the clerk of the committee for consultation by committee members and/or staff, and that the transcript be destroyed by the clerk when authorized to do so by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, but no later than at the end of the parliamentary session.

It was agreed that the draft report, as amended, be adopted, and that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to approve the final version of the report, taking into consideration this meeting’s discussions, and with any necessary editorial, grammatical and translation changes required.

It was agreed that the chair be authorized to table the report in the Senate, at the earliest opportunity, and to request a complete and detailed response from the government.

At 12:41 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Chantal Cardinal

Clerk of the Committee