THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 26, 2026
(27)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 10:29 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), MacDonald, Ravalia, Wilson, Woo and Youance (11).
Participating in the meeting: Brian Hermon and Zak 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: Situation in Iran)
WITNESSES:
Global Affairs Canada:
Alexandre Lévêque, Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Middle East and Arctic Branch;
Eric Laporte, Acting Director General, International Security Policy and Strategic Affairs;
Rebecca Netley, Legal Adviser and Director General, Legal Adviser and International Law Bureau.
As individuals:
Dennis Horak, Retired Diplomat;
Pierre Pahlavi, Professor of International Security, Department of Defence Studies, Canadian Forces College (by videoconference).
Alexandre Lévêque made a statement and, together with Eric Laporte and Rebecca Netley, answered questions.
At 11:32 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:36 a.m., the committee resumed.
Dennis Horak and Pierre Pahlavi each made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Chantal Cardinal
Clerk of the Committee