MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1995
(Meeting No. 81)
(Meeting No. 81)
[Text]
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 9:10 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Reg Alcock, John English, Jesse Flis, Bill Graham, Bob Mills, Lee Morrison and Bob Speller.
Acting Members present: Charles Caccia for Bernard Patry and Peter Thalheimer for Walt Lastewka.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.
Witness: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Mary Simon, Circumpolar Ambassador.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced an examination of circumpolar issues.
Mary Simon made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed,--That the Committee convene a meeting on the Supplementary Estimates (A), 1995-96 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996 on Tuesday, November 28, 1995.
At 10:38 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1995
(Meeting No. 82)
(Meeting No. 82)
[Text]
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 9:18 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 705, La Promenade, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Colleen Beaumier, John English, Jesse Flis, Bill Graham, Walt Lastewka, Lee Morrison, Bernard Patry, Bob Speller and Joseph Volpe.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.
Witnesses: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Gordon Smith, Deputy Minister; Ron Halpin, Director General, Resource Planning and Management Secretariat; Marc-A. Brault, Assistant Deputy Minister, International Development and Chief Trade Commissioner. From the Canadian International Development Agency: Huguette Labelle, President; Alan C. H. Smith, Vice-President, Central and Eastern Europe Branch.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to examine the Outlook on Program Priorities and Expenditures 1995-96 to 1997-98 for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Gordon Smith, from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, made a statement and, with Ron Halpin and Marc-A. Brault, answered questions.
The Chair presented the Eighth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which is as follow:
That the Committee's Forum on Public Understanding of International Issues be deferred to February 8, 1996 and that a draft proposal which includes three roundtable sessions and a luncheon with keynote speaker, be adopted.
That a representative of the Office of the Auditor General be invited to participate in the Committee's hearings on the Departmental Outlook Documents for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, on November 28, 1995, and for CIDA, on December 12, 1995.
That, further to the resolutions of the Committee of February 8, 1994, during the questioning of witnesses at any meeting of this Committee, there be allocated five (5) minutes for the first questioner of each party and that when a minister is appearing before the Committee, there be allocated ten (10) minutes for each party and thereafter, five (5) minutes be allocated to each subsequent questioner, alternating between Opposition and Government Committee members.
That requests to the Committee for assistance in the area of human rights issues be referred for disposition to the Sub-Committee on Human Rights.
That in relation to the Committee's in camera meeting regarding tariffs on agricultural products traded between Canada and the United States and the progress of the bi-national panels examining these issues, the following witnesses be invited to appear, in addition to officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Agriculture; representatives of the Dairy Farmers of Canada, the Canadian Egg Marketing Board and the Canadian Chicken Marketing Agency, as well as experts in the field. It was further agreed that members of the Standing Committee on Agriculture be invited to attend this session.
That the Committee pursue an examination of circumpolar issues early in 1996, following its examination of small and medium-sized business in the globalized economy: The Canadian Experience.
On motion of John English, it was agreed,--That the Eighth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.
At 11:03 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 11:10 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed.
The Order of Reference dated Wednesday, November 1, 1995 relating to the Supplementary Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996, being read as follows:
ORDERED,--That Votes 1a, 5a, 10a, 16a and 20a under FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE, be referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Huguette Labelle, from CIDA, made a statement and, with Alan Smith, answered questions.
Lee Morrison moved,--That the new appropriation in Vote 16a, in the amount of $12,124,610 under the heading Foreign Affairs and International Trade, payments to Canadian International Development Agency in the Supplementary Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996 be reduced by $1,000,000 to $11,124,610 and that the new appropriation in Vote 20a in the amount of $97,375,000 under the heading of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, payments to Canadian International Development Agency, in the Supplementary Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996 be reduced by $5,000,000 to $93,375,000.
After debate, it was agreed,--That the motion be stood until the next meeting of the Committee.
At 12:10 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1995
(Meeting No. 83)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
(Meeting No. 83)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met informally at 3:27 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 306, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Reg Alcock, Bill Graham, Nic Leblanc and Bob Mills.
In attendance: From Table Research Branch: André Gagnon, Procedural Clerk.
Witnesses: From the Republic of Romania: Ivanciu Nicolae Valeanu, Deputy, President of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies, Vice-president of the Romania-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group; Gheorghe Fition, Deputy; Emeric Dumitru Borbely, Deputy; Ion Constantin Pop, Senator; Voicu Valentin Glodean, Senator; Adrian Mares, Parliamentarian Expert at the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies; Adrian Petrescu, Chargé d'affaires, Embassy of Romania; Nicolae Liute, Third Secretary, Embassy of Romania.
The Committee proceeded to convene an informal meeting with a parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Romania.
Ivanciu Nicolae Valeanu, President of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Romania made a statement and, with the other members of the delegation, answered questions.
At 4:10 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1995
(Meeting No. 84)
(Meeting No. 84)
[Text]
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 9:10 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 705, La Promenade, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Reg Alcock, Colleen Beaumier, Jesse Flis, Bill Graham, Walt Lastewka, Nic Leblanc, Lee Morrison and Philippe Paré.
Acting Members present: Andrew Telegdi for John English; Peter Thalheimer for Bob Speller.
In attendance: From the Parliamentary Centre: Phil Rourke and Randolph Gherson.
Witnesses: From the City of Kitchener: Valerie Gibaut, Director of Economic Development. From the City of Calgary: Paul Dawson, Chief Commissioner. From the City of Montreal: Jean Marchand, International Affairs Advisor, Administration Secretariat; Jean-François Chapleau, Export Commissioner, Development Services. From B.C. Trade: Oksana Exell, President; Bob Chaworth-Musters, Director, Export Finance. From the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of the Government of New Brunswick: Michael MacBride, Director of Trade and Investment; Phil Lepage, Project Executive.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its examination of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the globalized economy: the Canadian experience. (See Minutes of Proceedings, dated Tuesday, September 26, 1995, Meeting No. 64, Issue No. 28 ).
Valerie Gibaut from the City of Kitchener; Paul Dawson from the City of Calgary; and Jean Marchand and Jean-François Chapleau and Jean Marchand from the City of Montreal, made statements and answered questions.
The Chair presented the Ninth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which is as follows:
That the Committee invite His Excellency Alfred Siefer-Gaillardin, the Ambassador of France to address the Committee on the issue of nuclear testing conducted in France.
That the Committee convene a roundtable discussion as a follow-up to the Commonwealth Summit on sanctions against Nigeria and that the following individuals be invited to appear: Minister of State (Africa) and/or the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Honourable Flora MacDonald; Professor Eboe Hutchful; Professor Kim Nossal; a representative of Shell International and the former Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria.
That further to the Committee's decision of June 13, 1995 relating to contract services in support of its study of small and medium-sized businesses in the globalized economy, and to compensate for additional work required for the fulfillment of the contracts, the contract to Warren Coutts and Associates, expiring December 15, 1995 be increased by $2,500 and the contract for the Parliamentary Centre, expiring December 15, 1995 be increased by $2,675.
That a supplementary Committee budget submission to the Budget Sub-Committee of the Liaison Committee in the amount of $39,175 for operating expenditures for the Committee and its Sub-Committee on Human Rights, be approved.
It was agreed,--That the Report of the Sub-Committee be amended by adding the name of Edward Broadbent from the Canadian International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development to the list of witnesses in paragraph 2.
On motion of Colleen Beaumier it was agreed,--That the Ninth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be adopted on division.
And debate resuming on the motion of Lee Morrison that,--The new appropriation in Vote 16a, in the amount of $12,124,610 under the heading Foreign Affairs and International Trade, payments to Canadian International Development Agency in the Supplementary Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996 be reduced by $1,000,000 to $11,124,610 and the new appropriation in Vote 20a in the amount of $98,375,000 under the heading Foreign Affairs and International Trade, payments to Canadian International Development Agency, in the Supplementary Estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1996 be reduced by $5,000,000 to $93,375,000.
And the question being put on the motion, it was negatived.
It was agreed,--That the motion proposed by Lee Morrison be sent to the President of the Canadian International Development Agency.
Oksana Exell from B.C. Trade; and Michael MacBride and Phil Lepage from the Government of New Brunswick each made a statement and, with Bob Chaworth-Musters from B.C. Trade, answered questions.
At 12:06 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1995
(Meeting No. 85)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
(Meeting No. 85)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 9:15 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 701, La Promenade, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Reg Alcock, Colleen Beaumier, Stéphane Bergeron, John English, Jesse Flis, Bill Graham, Walt Lastewka, Nic Leblanc, Bob Mills, Lee Morrison, Philippe Paré, Charlie Penson, Bob Speller and Joseph Volpe.
Other Members present: Leon Benoit, Murray Calder, Jean-Guy Chrétien, Marlene Cowling, Wayne Easter, Elwin Hermanson, Jean Landry, Réjean Lefebvre, John Maloney, Jerry Pickard and Lyle Vanclief.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz, Researcher, Sonya Dakers, Research Coordinator, and Jean-Denis Fréchette, Research Officer; From the Parliamentary Centre: Phil Rourke.
Witnesses: From Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Tom MacDonald, Director General, U.S. Trade and Economic Policy Bureau; Jonathan T. Fried, Principal Council, Trade Law Division. From Department of Agriculture: M.N. Gifford, Director General, International Trade Policy Directorate. From Dairy Farmers of Canada: Richard Doyle, Director General; Jean Norbert, Director with the Dairy Farmers of Canada From the Canadian Chicken Marketing Agency: Lloyd Sandercock, Chairman. From the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency: Michel Gauvin, Director, Quebec; From the Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency: Brent Montgomery, Vice-Chairman; From the City of Toronto: Her Worship Barbara Hall, Mayor.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to convene a briefing session on the dispute resolution process regarding the tariffs on dairy products, poultry and eggs.
Mike Gifford from the Department of Agriculture and Tom MacDonald from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade made statements.
Michel Gauvin from the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency; Brent Montgomery from the Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency; Richard Doyle, and Jean Norbert from the Dairy Farmers of Canada; and Lloyd Sandercock from the Canadian Chicken Marketing Agency and made statements and answered questions.
At 10:45 o'clock a.m. the sitting was suspended.
At 10:54 o'clock a.m. the sitting resumed.
Mike Gifford, Tom MacDonald and Jonathan T. Fried, answered questions.
At 11:40 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 11:45 o'clock a.m. the sitting resumed.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the globalized economy: the Canadian experience.
Barbara Hall made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:39 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Marc Toupin
Committee Clerk
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1995
(Meeting No. 86)
(Meeting No. 86)
[Text]
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 9:12 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 705, La Promenade, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Colleen Beaumier, Stéphane Bergeron, John English, Jesse Flis, Bill Graham, Walt Lastewka, Nic Leblanc, Bob Mills, Bob Speller and Joseph Volpe.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz, Researcher.
Witnesses: From the Canadian International Development Agency: Huguette Labelle, President; John Robinson, Vice-President, Policy Branch; and Claudia Roberts, Acting Vice-President, Corporate Management Branch. From the Office of the Auditor General of Canada: Richard Fadden, Assistant Auditor General; and Vinod Sahgal, Principal, Foreign Affairs.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to examine the Departmental Outlook for the Canadian International Development Agency.
Huguette Labelle from the Canadian International Development Agency, made a statement and answered questions.
At 10:43 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 10:57 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to examine the Report of the Auditor General of Canada, Chapter 13 relating to the Canadian International Development Agency: Phased Follow-up of the 1993 Report - Phase 1.
Richard Fadden, from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, made a statement, and with John Robinson and Claudia Roberts from CIDA, and Vinod Saghal from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, answered questions.
The Chair presented the Tenth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which is as follows:
That further to the Committee's decisions of June 13 and November 30, 1995 relating to contract services in support of its study of small and medium-sized businesses in the globalized economy, and in order to complete the final report of the Committee, the contract to Warren Coutts and Associates be extended to February 28, 1996 and allocated an additional amount not to exceed $3,000 and the contract to the Parliamentary Centre be extended to February 28, 1996 and allocated an additional amount not to exceed $2,400.
That pursuant to Standing Order 120, and in support of its study of circumpolar issues, the Committee retain the research services of the Library of Parliament.
On motion of Joseph Volpe, it was agreed,--That the Tenth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.
On motion of Lee Morrison, it was agreed on division, -That the membership of the Sub-Committee on Human Rights be increased to six members and that the list of Members be amended by adding thereto the names of Reg Alcock and Keith Martin.
At 11:45 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1995
(Meeting No. 87)
(Meeting No. 87)
[Text]
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 4:05 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 200, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Colleen Beaumier, Stéphane Bergeron, John English, Jesse Flis, Bill Graham, Nic Leblanc, Bob Mills, Bernard Patry, Bob Speller and Joseph Volpe.
Other Member present: Charles Caccia.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.
Witness: From the Embassy of France in Canada: His Excellency Alfred Siefer-Gaillardin, Ambassador.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to convene a briefing session on the nuclear testing policy of France.
His Excellency Alfred Siefer-Gaillardin made a statement and answered questions.
At 5:27 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1995
(Meeting No. 88)
(Meeting No. 88)
[Text]
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 9:06 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Reg Alcock, Colleen Beaumier, John English, Bill Graham, Walt Lastewka, Nic Leblanc, Lee Morrison, Bob Speller and Joseph Volpe.
Associate Members present: Maud Debien and Keith Martin.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz.
Appearing: Honourable Christine Stewart, Minister of State (Latin America--Africa)
Witnesses: As individual: Honourable Flora MacDonald, Chairperson of the Board, International Development Research Agency. From the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development: Honourable Edward Broadbent, President. From the Organization of Nigerians in the Americas: Julius Ihonvbere, President. From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Claude Laverdure, Assistant Deputy Minister, Africa and the Middle East; and Michael Kergin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Africa and the Middle East.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to convene a roundtable discussion as a follow-up to the Commonwealth Summit on action in Nigeria and options for Canadian policy.
The Honourable Christine Stewart, the Honourable Flora MacDonald, the Honourable Edward Broadbent and Julius Ihonvbere each made a statement and with Claude Laverdure and Michael Kergin, answered questions.
At 10:20 o'clock a.m. the sitting was suspended.
At 10:22 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed.
The witnesses continued to answer questions.
Walt Lastewka moved, -That in view of the extreme urgency of the situation in Nigeria, as confirmed by evidence received before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade on December 14, 1995, the Committee encourage the Government of Canada to take a strong leadership role in coordinating an enforceable oil embargo against Nigeria with the United States of America, The European Union and other partners to stop the military terror in Nigeria and to assist Nigeria to move towards peaceful democratic change.
By unanimous consent, the motion was agreed to.
Walt Lastewka moved, -That pursuant to its powers under Standing Order 108(1)(a), the Committee order that a representative from Shell Canada appear before the Committee in order to present evidence relating to the Committee's study of the situation in Nigeria.
And debate arising thereon.
And the question being put on the motion, it was agreed to by unanimous consent.
It was further agreed,--That the Committee convene a second hearing on Nigeria, preferably prior to the return of Parliament in February, and that the following individuals be invited to appear: Professor Leslie Pal, from Carleton University of Calgary, Professor Kim Nossal from McMaster University, Professor Julius Ihonvbere from the University of Texas, a representative of Shell Canada, and representatives of other oil companies importing oil from Nigeria.
At 12:08 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Janice Hilchie
Clerk of the Committee