Evidence of meeting #1 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
I'd like to move some additional routine motions that were adopted in this committee in the first session of the 43rd Parliament.
The first routine motion I would like to move is:
That all meetings other than those deemed in camera be televised or webcast where possible.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
There is a motion on the floor, which members have heard. Is there debate on Mr. Chong's motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Go ahead, Mr. Chong.
Conservative
Michael Chong Conservative Wellington—Halton Hills, ON
Mr. Chair, I'd like to move another motion concerning routine motions.
It calls for the creation of a subcommittee on international human rights and reads as follows:
That, pursuant to Standing Orders 108(1) and 108(2), a Subcommittee on International Human Rights to be chaired by a member elected by the Subcommittee, be established to inquire into matters relating to the promotion of respect for international human rights, as may be referred to it by the Committee;
That the Subcommittee be chaired by a member of the government party and be composed of eight members or associate members, four of which will be government members, two shall be Conservative Party members, one shall be a Bloc Québécois member, and one shall be a New Democratic Party member, to be named following the usual consultations with the Whips;
That, the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development be granted the authority to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by them, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a);
That, the subcommittee be empowered to send for persons, papers and records, to receive evidence, to sit during a time when the committee is not sitting in Ottawa, to sit when the committee is sitting outside the Parliamentary Precinct and to sit during periods when the House stands adjourned; and
That, the Chair of the subcommittee meet with the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the committee at their mutual discretion.
Mr. Chair, this is exactly the same motion that was adopted in the first session of the 43rd Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Mr. Chong, thank you for bringing the motion, and thank you for clarifying that point, because that would have been my question to the clerk, but you've pre-empted it. Thank you very much.
Is there debate on this motion?
I have Ms. Sahota.
Liberal
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
This is not debate. I just wanted the clerk to confirm, because it is lengthy, that it is identical to the previous version.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Thank you so much.
Are there any other points, debate, questions or clarification on this motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Thank you, Mr. Chong.
That takes us through routine motions.
Colleagues, I'm wondering if anybody would like to raise—
I have Mr. Harris.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
I don't have it in front of me, but there was a motion with respect to media as well, which I don't think we heard today. I didn't come prepared with a list of potential routine motions, but I would assume that it is a similar idea which we ought to consider. I don't have it right in front of me, but maybe the clerk would have access to the motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Let's briefly verify that, Madam Clerk. Is it something that you have at your fingertips? If not, we can circle back. If somebody would like to introduce that motion in its text as it's written, that's something we will contemplate.
Mr. Harris, you're not moving it right now, I understand, because you don't have the text.
NDP
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Okay.
Let me go, then, to Ms. Sahota, please, who is next on the list.
Liberal
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
Thank you. I'm waving and lowering my hand quite quickly, but thanks for noticing that.
Since we're through with the routine motions, Mr. Chair, I just want to ask whether this would be the appropriate time for me to move my motion for a proposed study. It's one that was brought up in the last session as well. Is that okay with you?
Liberal
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
Thank you.
I have circulated this motion in English and French, since I am moving it from the floor. I just wanted to make sure everyone had it. I also want to thank the clerk for pointing out an addition I was able to make to it so that some feedback that the NDP and the Bloc had in the previous session is also incorporated into this motion.
I'll just read it out loud at this point:
“That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on challenges facing populations living in fragile contexts, including an examination of issues such as education of refugee and displaced children; gender equality—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Ms. Sahota, with your indulgence, I'm getting a message that interpretation is not able to hear you. Is there any way you can bring the microphone up closer and try again with slightly greater clarity? Hopefully that will allow the interpreters to do their work.
Liberal
Ruby Sahota Liberal Brampton North, ON
Yes, absolutely. I will try to go more slowly as well. I need help with IT on my other device, so I won't be able to switch over to it. I'll start again so that it can be interpreted appropriately.
The motion is:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on challenges facing populations living in fragile contexts, including an examination of issues such as education of refugee and displaced children; gender equality in fragile contexts; children on the move; children in conflict; child protection; children and peacebuilding; and other related issues including the effects of COVID-19, resource scarcity, health and nutrition; examining such cases and conflicts as Syria; Yemen; Myanmar; Venezuela; Ethiopia; and Afghanistan; that the concept note prepared by the Library of Parliament in the first session of the 43rd Parliament serve as the scope for this study; and that the Committee report its findings back to the House.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Ms. Sahota, thank you very much. I understand there may still be problems with the interpretation. I understand that you circulated the motion in both official languages through the clerk, so maybe that will help us bridge the gap.
Did anyone listening have problems with the interpretation?
Were members able to hear and understand the text of the motion?
Monsieur Bergeron.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
I'm told that there were indeed problems with interpretation for those listening remotely.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sven Spengemann
Madam Clerk, we're in your hands on what needs to be done to make sure that everybody heard this properly. Within the group of members that we have here, my understanding is that the members were able to hear the motion. I have a list of interventions for debate on this motion.
Mr. Bergeron, you will be up first. Then, it will be Mr. Chong's turn.
The Clerk
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
If it's okay with you, I'll just bring the motion up, and I can read it in French.