Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs
Issue 8 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 17, 2000
(20)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met in camera at 3:50 p.m. this day in room 160-S, Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Peter Stollery, presiding.
Members of the committee presents: The Honourable Senators Andreychuck, Atkins, Bolduc, Carney, P.C., Corbin, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Furey, Grafstein, Stollery and Taylor (11).
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg.
Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
WITNESSES:
From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:
Mr. Jim Wright, Director General, Central, East and Southern Europe Bureau;
Chris Alexander, Deputy Director, Russia, Eastern Europe Bureau.
The committee proceeded to consider its examination and report on emerging political, social, economic and security developments in Russia and Ukraine, taking into account Canada's policy and interests in the region, and other related matters.
The committee proceeded to study its future business:
1) The Chairman presented the following report of the Steering Committee:
Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
May 10, 2000
Present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin and Stollery (3).
Also present: Peter Berg and David Murphy
The meeting in camera started at 3:40 p.m.
Schedule of meetings for the committee -- Senator Stollery informed the members that he would try his best to get a set time for the committee Tuesday's Schedule.
Bill C-19, Crimes Against Humanity Act -- The Chairman informed the members that this bill will probably not reach the committee until the fall.
Bill C-15, An Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act -- It was agreed that the staff analyse the implication of the bill to determine the most appropriate committee to review the bill between the Energy and Environment Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Performance Report of the Foreign Affairs and International Trades Department -- It was agreed that, on May 17, the committee meet in camera and examine the possible subjects and topics to be cover by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trades during their appearance.
It was agreed -- That, if possible, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trades be scheduled Tuesday June 6 at around six o'clock in the evening on the Performance Report.
Russia and Ukraine Study -- It was agreed that the committee meets on May 17, 2000 to be briefed on Russia by the experts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and again on June 7 this time to be briefed on Ukraine also by the experts of the Department.
It was agreed -- That without committing to specifics dates: First, that the committee concentrate its work in the fall on hearing from Canadian experts on the subject; second, that the committee look into the possibility to go to Washington in December or February to familiarise itself with the American view of Russia and Ukraine; third, that the committee in the spring 2001 travel to Russia and Ukraine on a fact-finding mission.
At 4:15 p.m., the committee adjourned.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the Committee
2) The Chairman presented the document entitled, "Key Considerations associated with Bill C-15 (International Boundary Waters Treaty Act)" for the information of the members.
3) Peter Berg presented the document entitled, "Key Issues identified in DFAIT's 1998-99 Performance Report and 2000-01 Report on Plans and Priorities".
It was agreed -- That the Chairman consult informally with the members in order to gather the subjects and topics that the committee wants to cover during the hearings of June 6, 2000 with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
4) a) It was moved by the Honourable Senator Di Nino -- That the committee adopt the draft budget in the amount of $11,000.00; and That the Chairman present it to the committee of Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for approval.
The question being put on motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
4) b) It was moved by the Honourable Senator Andreychuk -- That the committee adopt the draft budget in the amount of $92,930.00; and That the Chairman present it to the Committee of Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for approval.
The question being put on motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
At 4:15 p.m., the committee proceeded in Public.
Mr. Jim Wright made a statement and together with the other witness answered questions.
At 5:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
Line Gravel
Clerk of the Committee