THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 19, 2025
(12)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 4:16 p.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, Deacon (Ontario), Gerba, Harder, P.C., Hébert, MacDonald, Ravalia, Wilson and Woo (12).

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

Participating in the meeting: Zachariah Black and Marie Dumont, Analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the committee continued its study of foreign relations and international trade generally. (Topic: Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy)

WITNESSES:

Global Affairs Canada:

Weldon Epp, Assistant Deputy Minister, Indo-Pacific Branch;

Valérie Samaan, Director General, Indo-Pacific Strategy Planning, Policy and Operations Bureau;

Aly-Khan Rajani, Director, Indo-Pacific Regional Coordination, Policy and Planning Division.

As individuals:

Paul Evans, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia (by videoconference);

Hugh Stephens, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (by videoconference).

Weldon Epp made a statement and, together with Valérie Samaan, answered questions.

At 5:16 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:40 p.m., the committee resumed.

Paul Evans made a statement.

At 5:47 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 5:50 p.m., the committee resumed.

Hugh Stephens made a statement and, together with Paul Evans, answered questions.

At 6:17 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Sara Gajic

Acting Clerk of the Committee