Evidence of meeting #36 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 issues.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Peter Goldring Conservative Edmonton East, AB
I was going to substantiate it, because we really haven't been getting a lot of answers. It seems to me that the department was going to be getting back to us with some more clarity on the rights issues.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
I want the committee to understand something you just mentioned, that the time we take on this one will cut into the African study. Am I right?
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
That's correct. That was part of our discussion at the steering committee.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
I understand that, but this was discussed in the steering committee, so I'm just letting others know this will cut into the African study time.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
It cuts into all of our committee time, including the African study time. You're correct, that was what was on the agenda for those two meetings.
Mr. Lunney, did you want to speak to this?
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
James Lunney Conservative Nanaimo—Alberni, BC
I wanted to pick up on the Africa thing. I just wondered if this had come up for discussion, and when we were planning to get back to the African Great Lakes study we were engaged in. It's important work that we shouldn't forget about. Did that come up at the committee?
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
It didn't necessarily come up, but my understanding is that we'll get back to it when Bill C-300 is done.
All right. So we're all in favour of number one.
Number two is that in accordance with the motion adopted, we invite Peter Kent to appear before the committee as soon as possible.
10:55 a.m.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
On a point of order, Mr. Chair, are we adopting this report, or are we going through it clause by clause? We usually adopt the report.
Going by past practice, we adopt the report. If we adopt it, then the whole thing is together.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
We are adopting the report, but we do have the opportunity at committee to discuss any of these points.
10:55 a.m.
NDP
Paul Dewar NDP Ottawa Centre, ON
I'm just going on process. We usually have a motion to adopt the steering committee report, if we can do that.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Mr. Dewar is moving that we adopt the steering committee report as is.
Mr. Abbott.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Jim Abbott Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC
No disrespect, but I want to go through this. The good discussion that we had on the first clause I think was of value. I have no comment on number 2.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
Again, we just need to remember this is the first time the committee has seen the steering committee report, so I tend to try to give members the opportunity to look at it.
Are we okay with number 2?
Mr. Obhrai.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
Deepak Obhrai Conservative Calgary East, AB
I have a question for Madame Lalonde, who is the one who brought this forward.
When exactly do you think we should get the minister here?
10:55 a.m.
Bloc
Francine Lalonde Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I have addressed that in my motion.
In my motion, it was right on his return, at the beginning of October.
10:55 a.m.
An hon. member
That's already passed.
10:55 a.m.
Bloc
Francine Lalonde Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
He represented Canada and saw the situation on the ground. According to the reports we have received, things are not going smoothly. So it is important that he appear as soon as possible.
10:55 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Kevin Sorenson
All right, as soon as this passes, I'm directing the clerk to send the invitation.
So we're all right with number 2?
Are we all right with number 3? Okay, so number 3 is good. We'll be dealing with that next week. We'll get the requests out right away.
Number 4.