It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure report to the Standing Committee on International Trade the following recommendations:
In its meeting of 23 November 2006, the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on International Trade agreed to a work plan for the long term. The plan consists of a two-stage study, as well as a number of meetings on other subjects.
- The Committee will undertake a study examining the challenges and issues facing Canadian international business development in Canada’s major trade and investment markets. It will identify problems and seek solutions on how to enhance the global competitiveness of Canadian businesses.
- This study will take place in two stages. Stage one will examine trade and investment issues with the United States. Stage two will consider Canada’s other major trade and investment markets.
A. Stage One: Canada-North America Trade and Investment Issues
The Committee will continue the Canada-North America portion of its study by examining the impact of free trade; specifically, what has been the effect of Canada-U.S. economic integration on the Canadian economy, industrial composition and the welfare and lives of Canadians? The remainder of the study will look at current issues that may impede Canadians’ ability to do business with the United States.
Hearings on this subject will conclude on 1 March and the Committee will aim to issue a report of
about 20-25 pages by 29 March.
B. Stage Two: Trade and Investment Issues in Other Major Markets
Stage two of the study considers Canadian trade and investment issues in major markets outside the United States. The objective is to present a report of 20-25 pages to Parliament on this stage of the study before the House rises for the summer.
TIMEFRAME
The Committee’s work plan is divided into three time periods, as described below:
A. 28 November to 14 December
This period is devoted to preliminary work on the Canada-U.S. portion of the study and to hold meetings on general non-study topics. The tentative schedule is as follows:
• Tuesday, 28 November 2006: Meeting on Canada-U.S.
Witnesses:
Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters
A portion of the meeting will be reserved for notice of motions by Peter Julian.
• Tuesday, 5 December 2006: General trade issues
Witnesses (to be confirmed):
Dairy Farmers of Canada (Dumped and Subsidized
Import and Domestic Producers)
Canadian Federation of Agriculture (Trade policy)
Canadian Canola Growers Association (Trade policy)
Canadian Agri-food Trade Alliance (Trade policy)
• Thursday 7 December and 12 December 2006:
Committee members are invited to attend a two-day seminar from 8 a.m. 10 a.m. entitled Trade Knowledge Networks for Parliamentarians hosted by the Inter Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In addition, the Committee will hold a regular one hour meeting on each of these two days: The Committee will review the Order in Council Appointment of Daniel Ross, Director of the Canadian Commercial Corporation.
The Committee will also invite the Conference Board of Canada to appear before it when the Board unveils its major study on trade. (Date to be determined)
B. 30 January to 29 March
During this period, the Committee will conduct stage one of its study: an examination of the challenges and obstacles for Canadians doing business with the United States. Hearings on this subject will conclude on 1 March and the Committee will issue a report by 29 March.
The Committee will hold additional meetings, including the following:
• Chile and other South American countries (date to be confirmed); and
• The European Free Trade Agreement Committee (Feb. 6, 2007); and
• WTO
C. 17 April through June
Stage two of the long-term study will begin following the Easter break. The Committee will make more detailed plans as the date draws nearer.