Evidence of meeting #11 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 obhrai.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
As far as that goes, I wouldn't say it's unlikely, but it's very questionable whether or not they would come at this late a date, like the day after tomorrow. Angela won't get an invitation to them until Wednesday, and that would be for Thursday. So we could still try that, but I think it would be something that might be discussed at the steering committee.
I also have to say that it wasn't so much an amendment. We are on an amendment here too, so keep that in mind.
Madame Barbot.
5:05 p.m.
Bloc
Vivian Barbot Bloc Papineau, QC
Mr. Chair, I would like to be recognized. I would really like it if you could stop giving your opinion on motions, aside from determining whether they are in or out of order or something of that nature. You give your opinion and you direct our responses. With all due respect, I do not think that that is the chair's role.
I would like us to stick today to the motion that Mr. Obhrai moved. He wanted—and for once I agree with him—to have it made known that there is a problem that we want to solve. So, we want Canada to adopt this stance.
Furthermore, if there are other motions, they can be brought back and studied in committee and we can see what is to be done. We are all aware that this isn't enough. However, I don't want us to rush into dealing with other considerations. For the time being, I should like to stick to Mr. Obhrai's motion and take it from there.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Thank you, Madame Obhrai, I'll take that as.... Or, Madame Barbot.
5:05 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
You disagree with my opinion on that.
A point of order. Yes, I was expecting to hear a point of order a little quicker than Madame Barbot on that one. I apologize.
My point is that we have the motion, but Mr. Wrzesnewskyj has brought forward what he calls a friendly amendment.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Borys Wrzesnewskyj Liberal Etobicoke Centre, ON
I'm happy to withdraw the amendment until after such time as there has been a briefing. This is a general statement and a very uncomplicated and clear expression of Canada's will. My intention with the friendly amendment was that was exactly the path that had been developed by the former secretary general, and the intent was to reinforce what he has been trying to argue. However, if it complicates the matter, I am more than happy to rescind it.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Roy Cullen Liberal Etobicoke North, ON
Thank you.
It seems to me that if the idea is to get a motion onto the floor of the House, you'd want to keep it general, like the way it's drafted now. To suggest that you have witnesses come to committee is not going to really play well in the House of Commons, so I think you want to keep it general. I agree with Mr. Obhrai that you don't want to start pre-empting what the solutions might be. I think this is a good motion to get into the House.
Mr. Obhrai, you mentioned, though, discussions with President Kibaki and moneys that have gone into Kenya. Just for the record, President Moi was probably one of the more corrupt leaders in Africa, probably in the area of $3 billion to $5 billion. President Kibaki, when he ran, ran on a platform of good governance, and he ended up being more corrupt than Moi. So my hope is that the federal government is not putting bilateral aid into Kenya, because we know the election was skewed. This is not to pre-empt any thoughts. So just by way of background, this chap, Kibaki, is pretty horrible as well.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Yes, I'll take that.
I also want to caution you that we're not in camera here, so as a foreign affairs committee, we've got to be very cautious as to what we say. These are all opinions. Bring them forward.
Mr. Obhrai.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
I agree with what is being said here about the roadmap, and what has happened historically in Kenya. At this time, the focus of the statement, which you just rightly pointed out, Madame Barbot and everybody else, is that this is a motherhood statement trying to stop the violence and trying to show Canada's concern. I think, Mr. Chair, from what I'm hearing, there is unanimous consent for this motion here. I would recommend that you ask the question.
I will just end by saying that, in case, as Mr. Dewar pointed out, he needs more hearings and all these things, I think we can discuss it at the steering committee to bring that factor to them.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right, I'll call the question on Mr. Goldring's motion.
(Motion agreed to)
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
May the clerk note that it was carried unanimously.
Thank you, committee.
There are a number of other motions here. We have probably 15 minutes left, and the bells will start.
Madame Barbot, do you want to move ahead with your motion today?
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Your motion on food aid convention:
That pursuant to standing order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development undertake a study investigating the effectiveness and quality of Canada's food aid policy and whether current methods of delivery meet the objectives established under the Food Aid Convention.
Do you want to bring that motion forward today?
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry, QC
Mr. Chair, on a point of order.
I think the Bloc Québécois moved two successive motions. Ms. Barbot refused to table the first one. I don't think you asked her what she wants to do about the second motion.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
I'm sorry. You're absolutely correct. Thank you.
So we'll take yours off right now. This is a second motion.
That following the tabling and release of the government's response to the advisory group report on the national round-tables on corporate social responsibility and the Canadian extractive industry in developing countries (tabled on March 29, 2007), the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development invite the Minister of Foreign Affairs to appear before the committee to explain the government's response.
Do you want to bring that forward, Madame Barbot?
5:10 p.m.
Bloc
Vivian Barbot Bloc Papineau, QC
Yes, I do, based on the fact that we still haven't received a response. Once we've gotten the government's response...
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right. Madame Barbot, do you want to speak to this motion at all?