THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, February 8, 2024
(67)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 11:31 a.m., in room C128, 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, MacDonald, Ravalia and Woo (9).

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

Participating in the meeting: Nadia Faucher and Brian Hermon, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 26, 2023, the committee continued its study on Canada’s interests and engagement in Africa.

WITNESSES:

Global Affairs Canada:

Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister of International Development;

Cheryl Urban, Assistant Deputy Minister, Sub-Saharan Africa Branch;

Marcel Lebleu, Director General, West and Central Africa Bureau;

Susan Steffen, Director General, Pan-Africa Bureau;

Caroline Delany, Director General, Southern and Eastern Africa Bureau.

Cooperation Canada:

Kate Higgins, Chief Executive Officer;

Carelle Mang-Benza, Policy Lead.

International Development Research Centre:

Julie Delahanty, President;

Marie-Gloriose Ingabire, Regional Director, West and Central Africa (by videoconference).

Christopher MacLennan made a statement and, together with Cheryl Urban, answered questions.

At 12:28 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 12:32 p.m., the committee resumed.

Kate Higgins, Carelle Mang-Benza and Julie Delahanty each made a statement and, together with Marie-Gloriose Ingabire, answered questions.

At 1:28 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Chantal Cardinal

Clerk of the Committee