| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
Senate
|
| Date of creation |
1968 |
| Last renewal date |
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| Mandate |
The Committee was first established in March 1938 under the name of Committee on External Relations. Its name subsequently changed to International Relations, to Foreign Affairs and in 2006, to Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The mandate of the Committee is to examine legislation and matters relating to foreign and Commonwealth relations, including: (1) treaties and international agreements; (2) external trade; (3) foreign aid; (4) defence; and (5) territorial and offshore matters (Rule 86(1)(h)). In 1980 the Committee established a Subcommittee on National Defence which became a Special Committee in January 1984. The Special Committee remained in existence until October 1989 and the Subcommittee was reconstituded in March 1992 under the name of Security and National Defence.
In April 1994, the Committee received an order of reference to monitor and report on the implementation and application of the FTA and NAFTA as well as any other related trade development.
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| Membership |
There are 12 regular Committee members and 2 ex officio members. The members, including the Chairman, are selected by the individual political parties. The members' term is not pre determined. |
| Working methods |
Agenda topics are provided to the Committee by the individual members, with the agenda being determined by the three-member Steering Committee. The Committee's meetings are usually open to the public, except those involving future business, report consideration and any other decisions that have to be made by the members.
On any given topic, the Committee typically organizes hearings with government officials (including senior Canadian negotiators at the WTO) and a host of other witnesses. Information is obtained from these witnesses and a report is usually produced and made public. Reports are published both in printed format and on the parliamentary website at www.parl.gc.ca.
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| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
The Committee must receive Senate approval for the studies that it initiates. After completion of its work on a particular study, it tables its report or resolution(s) in the Senate and awaits government response. The Senate also submits legislation to the Committee for its review whenever the need arises. |
| Relations with external bodies |
While the Committee has historically devoted much attention to Canada's relationship with various regions and countries of the world, it has recently become more watchful of the activities of the Government of Canada in the area of foreign policy. Government ministers are asked to appear on matters of public policy and departmental operations.
In the preparation of its reports, the Committee relies on the testimony of civil society on the issues under consideration. Committee members have often not been included in the membership of the national delegations to WTO Ministerial Conferences.
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| Subjects dealt with |
Study on the rise of China, India and Russia in the global economy and the implications for Canadian policy; Review and report on the 2008 Legislative Review of Export Development Canada |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, The Senate of Canada - Ottawa, Ontario - Canada, K1A 0A4 |
| Phone |
+613 990 0088 / +800 267 7362 |
| Fax |
+613 947 2104 |
| E-mail |
foraffetrang@sen.parl.gc.ca |
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PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. Peter Stollery |
| Notes |
Deputy Chair |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+613 992 3012 |
| Fax |
+613 943 8737 |
| E-mail |
stollp@sen.parl.gc.ca |
| Website |
|
| Name |
Mr. Consiglio Di Nino |
| Notes |
Chair |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+613 943 1454 |
| Fax |
+613 943 1800 |
| E-mail |
dininc@sen.parl.gc.ca |
| Website |
http://sen.parl.gc.ca/senatorcon
|
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Mr. Denis Robert |
| Notes |
Clerk |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+613 993 4874 |
| Fax |
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| E-mail |
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| web site: |
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| Notes |
|
| Name |
Ms. Sylvie Simard |
| Notes |
Assistant |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+613 943 7865 |
| Fax |
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| E-mail |
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| web site: |
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| Notes |
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