THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 5, 2026
(21)
[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, Boehm, Coyle, Deacon (Ontario), Harder, P.C., Hébert, MacDonald, Ravalia, Wilson and Woo (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 Thursday, September 25, 2025, the committee continued its study of foreign relations and international trade generally. (Topic: International development in the current global climate)
WITNESSES:
Global Affairs Canada:
Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister of International Development;
Leslie Norton, Assistant Deputy Minister, International Assistance Partnerships and Programming Branch;
Catherine Jobin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategy, Policy, and Public Affairs Branch.
Cooperation Canada:
Kate Higgins, Chief Executive Officer.
Cuso International:
Nicolas Moyer, Chief Executive Officer.
Oxfam-Québec:
Béatrice Vaugrante, Executive Director (by videoconference).
Christopher MacLennan made a statement and, together with Leslie Norton and Catherine Jobin, answered questions.
At 11:20 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:24 a.m., the committee resumed.
Kate Higgins, Nicolas Moyer and Béatrice Vaugrante each made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:14 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 12.17 p.m., the committee resumed in camera.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the committee continued its consideration of the subject matter of those elements contained in Divisions 18 and 27 of Part 5 of Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025.
Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee discussed a draft report.
It was agreed that members’ staff be allowed to attend in camera meetings, unless otherwise agreed to by the committee/the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure.
It was agreed that the draft report, be adopted in both official languages, 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, in both official languages, at the earliest opportunity.
At 12:23 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Chantal Cardinal
Clerk of the Committee