CIIT Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on International Trade met in camera at 3:05 p.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Leon Benoit, presiding.

Peter Julian moved, — Given the profound changes in the document signed by the Minister of International Trade and the impact of these changes on Canada’s softwood lumber policy framework, that the Standing Committee on International Trade hold several meetings and briefings this summer to study the July 1, 2006, softwood lumber agreement initialled by the Minister of International Trade and that this Committee request the appearance of the Minister of International Trade, Mr. David Emerson, and the representatives of forestry industries in affected provinces and their provincial governments so as to better understand their objections to the agreement and explore alternatives..

Dominic LeBlanc moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “several meetings and briefings” with the words “two (2) meetings, on Monday, July 31st and on Monday, August 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Dominic LeBlanc and it was agreed to.

Helena Guergis moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the word “profound”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the amendment of Helena Guergis and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Helena Guergis moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “objections” the following words “and the support”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

It was agreed, — That the proposed witnesses of each of the Political Parties be invited.

Rahim Jaffer moved, — That a briefing session on the Softwood Lumber Agreement of July 1st, 2006 be given by the Senior Officials of the Department on Tuesday, July 18.

Debate arose thereon.

Pierre A. Paquette moved, — That the motion be amended by adding before the words “the Senior Officials” the following: “the Minister of International Trade and”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Pierre A. Paquette and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

Peter Julian moved, — The Standing Committee on International Trade, noting that actions of the Government of Canada have delayed legal proceedings that would otherwise bring to swift conclusion the countervailing duty order on softwood lumber from Canada, recommends that the Government of Canada rescind forthwith its suspension of April 27, 2006 of the Extraordinary Challenge Committee proceeding initiated by the United States that same day, so that the NAFTA Panel decision of March 17, 2006, finding Canadian softwood lumber not to be subsidized, may be confirmed; the countervailing duty order against softwood lumber from Canada will be terminated; and the United States will cease to collect illegally some $40 million/month in cash deposits from Canadian industry.

A point of order was raised regarding the procedural admissibility of the proposed motion.

The Chair ruled the proposed motion inadmissible as proper notice was not given to members of the Committee as provided in the motion of the 48 hours' notice adopted by the Committee on the meeting of Wednesday, May 3, 2006.

Whereupon, Pierre A. Paquette appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Ted Menzies moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the word “delayed” with the word “alleviated”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ted Menzies and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

Ted Menzies moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “that would bring to swift conclusion” with the words “in relation to the”.

The question was put on the amendment of Ted Menzies and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 4; NAYS: 7.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 4.

At 4:45 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.