Foreign Affairs Committee on Oct. 30th, 2023

[Dr. Jean-François Ratelle]

There's no doubt that Georgia, between Russia and Azerbaijan, is in an uncomfortable geopolitical position. It's in areas where the border is more poorly defined that it would be transgressed, it seems. That is what creates this problematic situation where we can't point to an outright violation of international law.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

For the final minute and a half, we go to MP McPherson.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

A minute and a half is a very short time, so I'm just going to quickly ask the three witnesses we have with us this question: What are your top two recommendations for actions Canada should take right now?

Mr. Sahadeo, I'll start with you, since I was so tight on time last time.

[Jeff Sahadeo]

They are to try to open a channel with Turkey to start peaceful negotiations through them, and then to use our embassy in Yerevan to try to build democracy and humanitarian aid in Armenia.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you.

Go ahead, Mr. Waters.

[Dr. Christopher Waters]

My top two recommendations are targeted sanctions and fulfilling the recommendations of the Dion report.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Go ahead, Mr. Ratelle.

[Dr. Jean-François Ratelle]

As much as possible, from a legal aspect, support the international process to make sure that Canada is a leader with regard to international law, and don't apply international law on a part-time basis compared to Ukraine, Gaza and what we're seeing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

That is an excellent place to start.

Madam Vartanyan, could you submit that answer in writing? Again, I'm so sorry that you weren't able to speak in person.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, MP McPherson.

At this point, I'd like to take the opportunity....

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

I have a point of order when you're done, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Sure, so I just....

Go ahead, Mr. Bergeron.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

I have two things to say, Mr. Chair.

First of all, I just want to point out again that Ms. Vartanyan has her hand raised. I don't know if she wishes to speak and whether you want to give her the floor.

Secondly, I wondered if it would be possible to make it clear to the witnesses that they are always welcome to send us supplementary answers in writing, if indeed they have not had the opportunity to answer any of the questions put to them.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

For sure, so allow me to start off by thanking Professor Ratelle, Professor Sahadeo, Professor Waters and Ms. Vartanyan. Again, we apologize for the technical complications, Ms. Vartanyan. Obviously, for any of the questions that were raised by the members, should you wish to send us a written response, we would be very grateful. That also extends to all of you. If there is more you would like us to consider, please do feel free to send us more information. Thank you very much for your expertise and your perspectives on this important matter.

It now being a few minutes after one o'clock....

Go ahead, Mr. Chong.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Mr. Chair, since we're not getting a lot of advance notice about our upcoming meetings, I'd like you to tell us what the Notice of Meeting will say for this coming Wednesday's meeting on November 1, as well as what is planned for the Notices of Meeting for next Monday, November 6, and next Wednesday, November 8.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Yes.

For the benefit of all members, we will be resuming our study on food and fuel this Wednesday.

On the following Monday, for the first hour, we will finally be hearing from our ambassador in Ukraine. For the second hour, we will resume the food and fuel study.

The two hours on Wednesday are dedicated to food and fuel. The reason, as you will all recall, is that when we had our first session on food and fuel, we only managed to hear from two witnesses. You have all gone through the trouble of providing 49 witnesses, I believe. We want to make sure that, to the best of our ability, we get around to hearing from more of the individuals you submitted.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

Very quickly, Mr. Chair, is it possible to get notices of meeting more than 18 hours ahead of time, so that we can prepare for these meetings?

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Sure.

[Michael Chong, Conservative, Wellington—Halton Hills, ON]

I would prefer to have them at least 72 hours ahead of time so that we can prepare for these meetings and for the witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

That's fair enough. Absolutely.

I will add that we had agreed in a preliminary way to set a deadline of today for witnesses for the Israel-Gaza study. We had not specified whether that's by end of day or earlier. Now that we have more time, and until further notice, should you think of more witnesses, please don't hesitate to add them to your individual list. At some point, we'll agree on a deadline for the submission of witnesses.

Thank you very much.

This meeting is adjourned.