Foreign Affairs Committee on June 16th, 2011

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Yes, four, two, one.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Is there any other discussion on that?

(Motion agreed to)

My thought is that when we come back in the fall we should have a conversation on whether we send a letter as a formal request. I realize that the government members will talk about it, but we could probably send a formal letter from the committee if that's the desire of the committee.

Is there any other business?

Mr. Dewar.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

This is just a comment, and hopefully something we can keep in mind. In light of the motion that was passed regarding Libya, and having received assurances from the government about this committee being seized with the situation in Libya--and that goes back to the previous motion, which the House passed in March, and of course the subsequent motion, which the House just passed--it was noted in both motions in the House that this committee be seized with the situation in Libya and that we have requisite oversight.

The issue will be what happens in terms of when the House isn't sitting. I've talked to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and he has agreed there would be full cooperation from government in terms of meeting.

I would put to government and just put it here that there might be a way of coming up with some dates to meet during the summer, and again I'm just putting this to government, and maybe look at a combined meeting with the defence committee. That's something that could be looked at.

I just hope that people are thinking about this. We should be looking at nailing down some dates, because it was very clear in discussions that we wouldn't wait until September to meet with regard to Libya and that we would have some meetings during the summer. I think people have to start looking at their calendars and organizing this. I just wanted to put that on the table for government and my colleagues.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

All right.

Are there any other comments?

Bob, did you have a question or comment?

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Yes. My understanding is that the government is happy to offer informal briefings to any member of the committee as they wish, especially between now and the time the committee resumes in the fall.

Hopefully that will allow you to have the information you need to consider the issues and not require a meeting of the full committee, which of course is costly.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Well, perhaps we need to chat further on this. I think there was an understanding that the foreign affairs committee and the defence committee would be seized with the issue. Certainly it was my understanding that we would meet on these in the interim period--between when the House rises and when we return in September--but alas, that's not your understanding, so perhaps we need to discuss that further.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

And we could have some conversations after the meeting.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Peter.

[Peter Goldring, Conservative, Edmonton East, AB]

With that issue, I would think that we would keep in mind the logistics of it. It's one thing to bicycle over to Parliament Hill, but it's another thing to come by plane for four or five hours. The logistics of it should be considered.

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

That's why I'm raising it now, Peter, exactly for that reason. I mean, I'd be happy to have the committee travel to Edmonton, then.

[An hon. member]

[Inaudible--Editor].

[Paul Dewar, NDP, Ottawa Centre, ON]

Or New Brunswick.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Ms. Ayala.

[Paulina Ayala, NDP, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

We have made a decision, as parliamentarians, but we are also responsible for human rights and the rights of these people. I don't care about my vacation. I made a heartbreaking decision. Also I would like to respond to the families of Libya. I've lived under a dictatorship, so I know what it's like. But they have it worse.

Sure, we'll have to make five-hour trips, but there are families and children dying there. We are going to work for them. We have an obligation, not only to Canadians, but also to the people on this planet. We are going to give and show what we, as Canadians, are made of. I think it's key that we be there and that we be at work.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

Thank you.

Mr. LeBlanc.

[Dominic LeBlanc, Liberal, Beauséjour, NB]

Mr. Chair, this has been a productive meeting, I think, and I don't want to prolong it, but Mr. Goldring had asked a question, and in fairness to Mr. Fortin....

I'm curious to hear what you have to say, you or the clerk, about how we are going to work with members who have not gone through recognized training in the House.

Personally, I hope they can participate constructively and appropriately in the committee's work. I am sure that this will happen. Some basic rules have been established in the past for members who have not gone through recognized training under the technical rules of the House. What is their level of participation?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dean Allison]

I think that's a discussion we should have informally, and then we determine.... Certainly any member of Parliament is welcome to sit at the table at any time. In terms of the level of discussion, that's also up to the committee--obviously no votes, but that's not what you're asking.

My suggestion is that we have some conversations about this informally, and then we have a conversation when we sit back at the table in the fall. That's certainly reasonable, I think.

Okay? All right.

Is there any other business?

Thanks, everyone. I know we'll see each other in the House, but have a good summer and we'll talk to you soon.

The meeting is adjourned.