Evidence of meeting #1 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
On a point of clarification, Mr. Chair, does this reflect the composition?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
In the last Parliament we were fewer. They had more. Now we have more and they are fewer. I want to make sure this reflects the composition of the House of Commons. That's all.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
What you're basically asking is that the committee be expanded. It's designed to be a small committee. In itself, this committee has worked very well. There have been, as you know, some questions about the studies they undertake, but this is giving them autonomy to do that. I think we've had those discussions in other parliaments.
Unless I hear an amendment, are you ready for the question?
4:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Question.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right, folks, unless there's anything else, as you know, our regular times are Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30 and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30. Does the committee want to meet on Wednesday or would you rather have the steering committee meet during that time?
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
Bob Rae Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
I would suggest that the steering committee meet on Wednesday. Obviously the caucuses will give some direction to the steering committee members as to what they think the focus of the committee should be. I think it's better to have that discussion in the steering committee before we have a meeting.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
4:55 p.m.
An hon. member
Is that out?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
That's a good question. My understanding is that the Afghanistan report was filed this summer, asking for a government response. I think that is the part that dies when Parliament is dissolved and you go into an election.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Yes. That would be something we would have to discuss. The answer is yes.
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
I just wanted to see if somehow through the committee we could send a letter of thanks to Gerry for his work on this committee. How long was he working for this committee?
I think it would be appropriate. Gerry has worked for over 25 years for this committee. I assume that he's not coming back, but I don't know. If he's not coming back, I think it would be appropriate if we were able to send a card and an appropriate gift.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
I don't care. I'll kick in some money. I just thought that for someone who has worked for 25 years as a public servant on this committee we should--
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
How about if we send him a letter or card of appreciation? We encourage each one of you, if you want to get him a little something, to do that, unless you want to collect some money and our clerk can pool what's given and we can find him something.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
Bloc
Paul Crête Bloc Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
If the steering committee sits on Wednesday, does that mean that it will bring proposals to the full committee next Monday and that we will only start working on the files themselves after that?
