THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, October 30, 2025
(9)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 10:30 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 Adler, Al Zaibak, Ataullahjan, Boehm, Coyle, Deacon (Ontario), Gerba, Hébert, MacDonald, Ravalia and Wilson (11).

Participating in the meeting: Brian Hermon and Zachariah Black, Analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the committee began its study of Canada’s interests and engagement in Africa.

WITNESSES:

Global Affairs Canada:

Cheryl Urban, Assistant Deputy Minister, Africa Branch;

Andrew Smith, Director General, Pan-African Affairs Bureau;

Ryan Clark, Director General, Central, Southern and Eastern Africa Bureau;

Susan Steffen, Director General, West Africa and Maghreb Bureau;

Ben Marc Diendéré, Canada’s Permanent Observer to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (by videoconference);

Marcel Lebleu, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Senegal and Special Envoy for the Sahel (by videoconference).

Cheryl Urban, Ben Marc Diendéré and Marcel Lebleu each made a statement and, together with Andrew Smith, Ryan Clark and Susan Steffen, answered questions.

At 12:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Chantal Cardinal

Clerk of the Committee