Jennifer Clapp and Timothy M. Egan made statements and answered questions.

At 4:48 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:16 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

At 5:36 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:46 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of the security at the borders between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the study of the situation at the Russia-Ukraine border and implications for peace and security, the proposed budget in the amount of $ 274,638.45, for the committee’s travel to Yerevan (Armenia), Baku (Azerbaijan), Kyiv (Ukraine), Warsaw (Poland) and Przemyśl (Poland), in winter 2024, be adopted and submitted to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Liaison Committee.

It was agreed, — That, in relation to the study of the situation at the Russia-Ukraine border and implications for peace and security, the proposed budget in the amount of $ 229,546.97, for the committee’s travel to Dakar (Senegal) and Accra (Ghana), in winter 2024, be adopted and submitted to the Subcommittee on Committee Budgets of the Liaison Committee.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and that given:

(i) democracy and the rules-based system that has kept Canada and our allies safe facing its greatest challenges in decades;

(ii) the impact of this growing geopolitical turbulence, uncertainty, and unpredictability on Canadians; and

(iii) the launch of the future of diplomacy initiative at Global Affairs Canada;

the committee undertake a study of the capacity of Global Affairs Canada to:

(a) effectively engage with our allies and partners, as well as demonstrate leadership within key multilateral organizations;

(b) plan ahead for future geopolitical shifts, crises, and opportunities;

(c) maintain a talented, well-equipped, and properly supported diplomatic corps; and

(d) protect Canadians abroad and review the committee report entitled “Strengthening the Canadian Consular Service Today and for the Future”, adopted during the 1st Session, 42nd Parliament and the achievement of its recommendations;

That the study consist of a maximum of four meetings to take place preferably before the end of 2023;

That a preliminary list of proposed witnesses be submitted no later than Thursday, November 16, 2023;

That the Minister of Foreign Affairs and departmental officials from Global Affairs Canada be invited to appear before the committee; and

That the committee report its findings to the House.

It was agreed, — That the draft report be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "The Rights and Freedoms of Women and Girls Globally, and in Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia".

It was agreed, — That the Chair, clerk and analysts be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

It was agreed, — That dissenting or supplementary opinions be in Calibri 12-point font, left aligned, single-spaced, and be submitted electronically, in both official languages, to the clerk of the committee, not later than 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.