Foreign Affairs Committee on March 6th, 2008

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Chair, just before you dismiss our guests and thank them, there were a couple more points. I wanted to ask questions particularly on development signature projects. Would it be possible to learn more on some of the points our guests raised, particularly on Operation Enduring Freedom, which I think the colonel made a point of because we're about to enter into, it looks like, another couple of years in the conflict, and it might be with the Americans coming in. I'd like to know the points on Operation Enduring Freedom that the colonel wanted to make and his concerns around that.

If Ms. Banerjee and Ms. Mason, on UN capacity for peace building, could provide more information on signature projects to the committee for the report, I'd be very thankful.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

There were a number of questions asked that will show up in the minutes of the meeting. Would you like to bring forward some of the answers to those questions?

Mr. Goldring, on a point of order.

[Peter Goldring, Conservative, Edmonton East, AB]

Mr. Chairman, in a similar light too, I wish to explore a little further some of the comments from Mr. Landry vis-à-vis the initiative in Haiti and the comparables to it. But I wish also to emphasize the point that wasn't mentioned, that Afghans genuinely like the Canadian presence and of course that Canada is viewed internationally as a nation that will not remain in the country forever. They're not known to be occupiers and they're very well received for that. So as long as they're well received--

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

So if we could get some answers on the Haiti-Afghanistan comparison, we would appreciate it.

Thanks again for being here.

We'll suspend for one minute. Just stay here, committee.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. Dewar.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Mr. Chair, I just wanted, if I may, to present an emergency motion. It's to do with the tragic events that happened in Jerusalem. We actually got notice of it when we were in question period today. I just wanted to bring this forward. I've talked to some members of the committee.

For those who haven't heard this yet, there have been seven, and some reports of eight--I think it's seven, though--rabbinical students gunned down in Jerusalem in a seminary, and up to ten, and possibly more, wounded. I just wanted this committee, as the foreign affairs committee, to pass a motion stating as follows:

It is with great sadness that the committee learns of the tragic loss of life in Jerusalem as two gunmen attacked a rabbinical seminary. The committee sends its condolences to the families of those who were killed in this attack. The committee condemns violence against civilians at all times. The committee calls for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you, Mr. Dewer. I want to thank you for bringing that to the committee's attention before the meeting.

We do have a point of order here with Mr. Obrai.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

I want to talk on this.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Oh, okay. You wanted to speak on this?

Even now, I hesitate to do this, because sometimes when we allow motions like this, we say that we'll take a motion, and that sets a precedent. When seven are killed in Kenya, are you going to allow motions? We always recognize when there are deaths.

I'm in the committee's hands here. We will need unanimous consent to bring this motion forward, because it does not have the 48-hour notice.

I will rule that if we have unanimous consent, we can bring it forward and discuss it—it's debatable. But it is a precedent: when we have an atrocity in Zimbabwe, why don't we do it then?

Mr. Obhrai.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Chair—

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

First of all, before we move the motion, do we have unanimous consent to move the motion?

[An hon. member]

No, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Madame Barbot.

[Vivian Barbot, Bloc, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Chairman, I would like to vote in favour of the motion. However, I simply want to point out, with all due respect, that last week we were unable to deal with the motions that were tabled. We supposedly set aside 15 minutes to discuss them, but something always comes up that prevents us from doing that. The Committee's ability to function is seriously deteriorating because we can't do our work.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Madame Barbot, with all due respect, I think the committee can work well if we work together. All sides have to determine in themselves to work together.

[Vivian Barbot, Bloc, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Chairman, if you let me finish…

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Just hold on. I'm going to allow Madame Barbot to finish, because she had asked for it, but I thought you were coming with a point of order. Madame Barbot had given me notice that she wanted to speak.

Go ahead. Continue, Madame Barbot.

[Vivian Barbot, Bloc, Papineau, QC]

Mr. Chairman, that's exactly what I mean. I am asking all Committee members to ensure that we can work together and move forward. Therefore, at the next meeting, I would like to see the committee devote a half hour to its business, so that we can at least do the work we have to do.

Having said that, I am in favour of the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you, Madame Barbot.

Mr. Obhrai.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Chair, with all due respect, being attacked here is unbelievable.

Let me finish here. This is a point of order. You allowed her to talk, and I am wanting to talk.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Okay, if this is a point of order, very quickly let's hear it, before we get into debate on this motion.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

I'm not debating his motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

All right, it's on the point of order.

[Deepak Obhrai, Conservative, Calgary East, AB]

I'm debating what was being said here, that this committee is not working and all of those things.

I am saying yes, this committee is not working because this committee has been partisan from the time there was a change on the other side. It has been said many times that the opposition gangs up on the government all the time. Now when these things happen to them, they suddenly cry about it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Mr. Obhrai, that's not a point of order.