Evidence of meeting #54 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was development.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:25 p.m.
An hon. member
What's that?
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
It was a letter that was sent. It was an organization. I think Kirsty Duncan sent a letter saying that there was a diamond development initiative. There hasn't been a lot of interest, so we're going to see if the—
1:25 p.m.
NDP
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
I'm sorry, Mr. Chair, but I can't remember having seen that letter.
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
If there's some interest individually, then by all means we want to do it. I'm just saying that there aren't enough numbers for a committee, so individually, absolutely. They wanted a breakfast or something like that. We still want to make that available, but I didn't get a huge sense that there were a whole lot of people.
The third thing I want to mention is that on April 20 and 21 there's a parliamentary delegation from Afghanistan. We're looking at an informal meeting as well. Once again, that will probably be on the Monday when we come back from the break. We're going to have Joann talk to the defence committee clerk to try to set something up. It is informal. It is with the Afghanistan delegation. If people could make it on the Monday, it would obviously be greatly appreciated. It's not a requirement. It won't happen during our meeting time.
The fourth thing is that we did get a letter from the Embassy of Turkey asking us to come over there to some of the refugee camps. I do not believe that we can fit that into our timeframe, so I'm going to write a letter. I'll send a response back to thank them. I don't know if we can get to it in the fall. Obviously, committees won't be set up, etc. As well, it will be a whole new committee.
Hélène, and then Lois.
1:25 p.m.
NDP
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Oh, that's okay. I was just about to comment that I visited a great refugee camp in Turkey.
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Absolutely, and that's what they were asking us to do as well.
Lois.
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
Lois Brown Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Chair, this is just a comment or observation. Given the difficulties that are going on over there, and the money that Canada has committed, I think it would have been a very good thing if the committee had done some travel.
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Okay. Well, I don't know....
Do we want to address it when we come back? I'm ruled by the committee, so....
Hélène, and then Lois.
1:25 p.m.
NDP
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
There were some studies, and some very important studies, that were proposed here in this committee, and we were told we didn't have time to do them. I don't see why we wouldn't have the time to do important studies here in Ottawa but we would have time to travel. So I really don't agree with that.
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Okay. And you've been there as well, so you've had a chance.
Lois.
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
Lois Brown Conservative Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Mr. Chair, it's almost unnecessary to say that this travel should have happened last fall, and we know who held it up.
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
All right.
There's one last thing we need to do. I realize that you people have to go, and I appreciate your dealing with a bunch of issues in a very quick amount of time.
We need to pass the two budgets that you have before you for the Subcommittee on International Human Rights. One is $5,200 for a study on Bangladesh. The other is $2,600 for a study on Venezuela.
Are there any concerns or questions about that?
All those in favour of those two budgets?
1:25 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
1:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Dean Allison
Thank you very much for your indulgence in getting through this very busy day in a short period of time. For those of you who thought you were going home early, thank you for sticking around to be with the ministers.
With that, I wish everyone two great weeks in the riding. We look forward to seeing everyone back after Easter.
Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.