CIIT Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on International Trade met in camera at 11:16 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Lee Richardson, presiding.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report.

At 11:40 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:41 a.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Peter Julian moved, — That the Committee recommend the government immediately instruct Canada’s negotiator to indicate clearly and formally by way of the appropriate means at the World Trade Organization (WTO), that the text currently circulating at the Agriculture working group undermines and weakens Canada’s ability to maintain State Trading Enterprises and Supply Management systems, and that consequently, the text as currently before the working group on agriculture will not be signed by Canada as part of the negotiations on the Doha round of the WTO, and that this be reported to the House.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and the result of the vote was announced: YEAS: Scott Brison, John Cannis, Serge Cardin, Peter Julian, Mario Silva — 5; NAYS: Dean Allison, Ron Cannan, Richard M. Harris, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy — 5.

Whereupon, the Chair voted in the negative.

Accordingly, the motion was negatived.

Scott Brison moved, — That the Government of Canada affirm its unequivocal support of, and commitment to defend, Canada’s supply management system.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

On motion of Ed Holder, it was agreed, — That the draft report, as amended, be adopted.

On motion of John Cannis, it was agreed, — That the report be entitled: “In Defence of Supply Management at the WTO”.

On motion of Peter Julian, it was agreed, — That the Chair, Clerk and analyst be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

On motion of Richard M. Harris, it was agreed, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

On motion of Serge Cardin, it was agreed, — That the Committee append to its report supplementary opinions from Serge Cardin and Peter Julian provided that they are no more than one page in length and submitted electronically to the Clerk of the Committee, no later than Friday, November 6, 2009.

At 11:55 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:11 p.m., the sitting resumed.

John Masswohl made a statement and answered questions.

At 1:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.