Ever heard of the House of Commons Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan? The over-simplified description of the group is a team of MPs who meet to discuss Afghanistan stuff.
I just checked out the minutes from their 30 Sept 09 meeting, and looky what they’ve agreed to (highlights mine):
“1. That meetings of the Special Committee on Canada’s mission to Afghanistan now take place on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., in order to accommodate the changes made to the rotational committee schedule covering the period from September 2009 to December 2009.
2. That the Special Committee review Canada’s development effort in Afghanistan with a focus on the six priorities, political reconciliation and the status of women; and that members of the Committee submit to the Clerk, as soon as possible, their lists of suggested witnesses for the study.
3. That all members of the Special Committee travel in 2009 to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and possibly to Europe; and that the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair, prepare a travel budget for approval by the Committee and the Board of Internal Economy prior to seeking permission to travel from the House of Commons.
4. That the Hon. Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, be invited to appear before the Special Committee on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, for the full two-hour meeting, in order to discuss the fifth quarterly report on Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan that was presented in the House of Commons on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.”
My initial observations:
1) Good to see SOMEONE at least looking like they’re thinking about next steps down the road.
2) Looks like a lot of Air Miles to be racked up before the end of December for the august Special Committee members.
3) It’ll be interesting to see what the final list o’ witnesses will look like.
4) I note the Minister of Defence hasn’t been invited to talk about the latest quarterly update, and that the Special Committee is reviewing “Canada’s development effort in Afghanistan” – more signs of the civilianization of the mission.
More, as I find it…
UPDATE: Here’s a bit more about what’s being said around the House of Commons about the mission.
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