Evidence of meeting #2 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 study.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
Great. I just want to make sure they're on the list, and that was it. Thank you very much.
Conservative
November 20th, 2007 / 11:10 a.m.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
Now with regard to the people being added to the list, is it of concern for the department to know who's opposed or why, or is there a discussion on the people who are brought before here, before they're actually brought, to see if there's a general conclusion and agreement that it will be a constructive appearance?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
We usually try to have some kind of a degree of balance. I think most parties are in agreement with this legislation. It doesn't mean that we have to find two that are in favour of it and two that are opposed, but I think we have to be showing that.... Well, first of all, all parties can submit witness lists. Regardless of the motion or the study, we submit lists. If all parties agree in principle, it may still be good for us just to be aware of some of the arguments.
If we're going to hear from one group that are in favour, that may not mean that we're going to hear from four that are opposed, so the clerk and the table will take that into account when you set up a list--
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
For example, if we invite one group, and they're unable to attend, we may then go to get that same perspective or similar perspective from the next group on the list.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
The Chamber of Commerce I think is one that wants to be there. The department is different. The department, if it's government legislation, will explain their perspective. Then we would find balance in the other witnesses called.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
Or, if there are some who have been identified as having ongoing litigation, that just very well may not be giving us the information that we wish to hear. Or, on a positive note here, the Canadian Bar Association certainly would have an input into this and would be a valuable group to have appear.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Okay, who else do we have on that? Anyone?
So we're okay on the idea of getting them called in on Thursday then?
Bloc
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right. So they'll get on that. Here we go--this is the part of starting up committees in the fall that is difficult. I met with someone this morning who was called on Friday to see if they could appear at a different committee this morning, and they were all frustrated that they weren't able to get their testimony translated because they just finished what they were going to say on Sunday night. So we have to get on these calls today.
Mr. Wilfert.
Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
Can I just hear the list again as to specifically who will be invited? I know we had a list.
Liberal
Liberal
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
The department, the chamber, perhaps someone from the Halifax Initiative or KAIROS. I don't know of anyone else. I would say those are the main ones. If all of a sudden the Canadian Chamber of Commerce can't appear, there may be another business group that would appear.
Liberal
Bryon Wilfert Liberal Richmond Hill, ON
Yes, that's fine with us. I don't think we have to have a huge list to stay balanced.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Unfortunately, at this point in time too, a lot of it may be dependent on who is close. If the Bloc has submitted a name from Montreal, then we'll have to get hold of them quickly so that they can make travel arrangements as well. There may be one or two others just to fill out the panel, but I don't think it's going to be a long, extended study.
We will see how long that lasts, and we would probably need an hour or so on clause-by-clause.... That might be Tuesday, then, just to have a heads-up on that.
Seeing how we're on Bill C-9 already, I guess the next thing on the agenda is the budget. Take a look at your budget here. This budget is in conjunction with the Bill C-9 study, and it gives us a budget to work with, allowing some translation, allowing some travel, allowing video conferencing if we need it, and the working meal for the day. So that's a budget of $11,750.
The Clerk
Right. If we have witnesses coming from outside of Ottawa, that's the major bulk of the expense. Otherwise it would be about $3,000.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Following normal protocol--it seems like typical government protocol--we've asked for more money than what we need. We may not be having people from Victoria, Vancouver, but it's there in case we need it, and then it just goes back in.
Do I have a motion to accept the budget as proposed? Madam Barbot.
(Motion agreed to) [See Minutes of Proceedings]
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right.
There have been a number of motions brought forward. Before we get to those motions, the steering committee became aware, through our clerk and through Gerry, of the seminar that is being held at the Château Laurier on December 10 to 11, I believe, entitled “Peacebuilding in Afghanistan: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead”. This is sponsored by the University of Ottawa.
I think all parties could say that we were impressed with the witnesses who are coming to this seminar. Barnett Rubin will be there. There are a number of experts from around the world who will be at this.
There is a motion to look at Afghanistan. Again, even to travel off the Hill, we have to have certain arrangements set up.
There will be a former foreign minister of Afghanistan. There will be a lot of different groups mentioned, so we would want to take in that seminar on the regular committee day.
Gerry.
