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Minutes of Proceedings

44th Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting 89
Monday, December 11, 2023, 11:04 a.m. to 12:59 p.m.
Webcast
Presiding
Ali Ehsassi, Chair (Liberal)

Library of Parliament
• Allison Goody, Analyst
• Billy Joe Siekierski, Analyst
As an individual
• Charles Burton, Senior Fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute
• Balkan Devlen, Director, Transatlantic Program, Macdonald-Laurier Institute
• Ardi Imseis, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Queen's University
Canadian Global Affairs Institute
• Colin Robertson, Fellow
Société nationale de l'Acadie
• Martin Théberge, President
• Véronique Mallet, Executive Director
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, the committee resumed its study of Canada's diplomatic capacity.

Balkan Devlen and Martin Théberge made statements and, with Véronique Mallet, answered questions.

At 12:00 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:04 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Charles Burton, Ardi Imseis and Colin Robertson made statements and answered questions.

Motion

Robert Oliphant moved, — That, pursuant to standing order 108(2), following the establishment of a dedicated mission and permanent observer to the African Union; recognizing Canada’s shared interests and cooperation with countries on the African continent within multilateral organizations including La Francophonie, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations as well as strong people-to-people ties between Africans and Canadians; and with a view to continuing to strengthen Canada’s efforts to collaborate with African partners on shared priorities, the committee undertake a study on Canada’s approach to Africa;

That such a study examine:

(a) Canada’s diplomatic and geopolitical engagement with countries on the African continent, including how such engagement coordinates with Canada’s International Assistance Program and Canada’s work on a Canada-Africa Economic Cooperation Strategy,

(b) the political and security situation in the Sahel including the impacts on Canadians and Canadian interests, and

(c) Canada’s development and humanitarian assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa;

That it consist of a minimum of six meetings;

That the committee report its findings to the House; and

That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request a comprehensive government response.

Debate arose thereon.

Motion

Michael D. Chong moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Ziad Aboultaif, Stéphane Bergeron, Michael D. Chong, Dave Epp, Randy Hoback, Heather McPherson — 6;

NAYS: Omar Alghabra, Sophie Chatel, Hedy Fry, Robert Oliphant, Sameer Zuberi — 5.

Motion

Stéphane Bergeron moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee study diplomatic relations between India and Canada; that it allocate a minimum of four meetings to hear witnesses; and that the committee report its observations and recommendations to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

It was agreed, — That the debate be now adjourned.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

On motion of Robert Oliphant, it was agreed, — That the committee do now adjourn.

At 12:59 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Danielle Widmer
Clerk of the committee