Evidence of meeting #1 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was motions.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
Keith Martin Liberal Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
At the end, where it says, “stands adjourned”, we would add “and the Chair of the Subcommittee meet with the Steering Committee of the Foreign Affairs Committee at their mutual discretion”.
Noon
Conservative
Noon
Bloc
Caroline St-Hilaire Bloc Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC
Mr. Chairman, I would like to remind my colleagues of something.
When I sat on the Subcommittee on Human Rights, we became very frustrated over a report on China. The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs had decided to delay it. This situation created frustration. I also remember that at the time, the subcommittee members stated that they wanted to become an independent committee. The future members of that subcommittee might want to make that request. I personally would support it.
Even though you did not give me the floor, I must point out that your idea of having both steering committees meet is very interesting. I think that there is a communication problem. The Subcommittee on Human Rights should not be dependent. It has to be given a certain amount of independence. Otherwise the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs might as well do all the work. As you stated so well earlier on, you would not be able to. That is why the subcommittee was created in the first place.
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you, Madame St-Hilaire. It was well worth the wait. We appreciate your input on that.
I agree, especially when you're dealing with human rights. We base reports at that subcommittee on the testimony we hear. So thank you.
Are we all in favour of the amendment to the motion as amended?
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
We want to welcome Mr. Lebel. He will be on our committee. He had an appointment earlier this morning.
Welcome to our committee. We look forward to working with you.
Because we want to look for witnesses as soon as possible, may I make a suggestion that we ask our steering committee to meet on the Thursday that the committee should be meeting, and to quickly organize so that they can provide witnesses, or whatever the study might be for the following week? Can you make that steering committee this coming Thursday eleven to one o'clock?
Noon
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Yes.
There will be a meeting of the steering committee on Thursday from eleven to one o'clock.
The meeting is adjourned.
