Evidence of meeting #4 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 afghanistan.
A recording is available from Parliament.
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Some hon. members
Agreed.
On division.
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Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
It is carried on division.
Shall I report the bill to the House?
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Some hon. members
Agreed.
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Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Well, in the spirit of working together.... It's a wonderful thing, Mr. Wilfert.
Mr. Wilfert has asked us to look at his motion quickly. I know others have meetings at one o'clock.
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Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
Right.
The first one, Mr. Chairman, we can deal with pretty expeditiously:
That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the committee invites the responsible minister and appropriate senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canadian International Development Agency, and other relevant departments to discuss the current crisis in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
November 27th, 2007 / 12:55 p.m.
Conservative
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Conservative
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Conservative
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Conservative
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An hon. member
No, we aren't.
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Liberal
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Conservative
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Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
What consensus? How would I consent with the Liberals? What are you talking about?
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Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
It's not a study; it's simply an update on the current crisis.
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Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
Thank you very much.
The government's response to this is that we do not have much difficulty in light of the situation of what is happening in Pakistan. I think it's good to look at this and see what we can do regarding the current crisis in Pakistan. However, we have some small difficulties here with reference to the ministers appearing.
What we would ask Mr. Wilfert is if he is willing to have a friendly amendment, meaning that instead of the minister we would ask the appropriate senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to come and do the same thing. Ultimately, the response would be the same. There would be no difference from what he is doing. All we are saying is that due to the unavailability and scheduling of the ministers and considering the fact that the situation in Pakistan is so fluid and happening so fast, we can't wait too long for the minister to come.
If he's agreeable to the friendly amendment, we could just say “senior officials”.
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Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Mr. Obhrai, thank you.
Just looking at it from the perspective of a committee, we're looking at timelines. If this motion is to do it before Christmas—
