CIIT Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on International Trade met at 11:09 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Lee Richardson, presiding.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That, notwithstanding the routine motion adopted by the Committee on February 5, 2009, that questioning of the witness be limited to one round and that ten (10) minutes be allocated to each Committee members.

Jacques Pomerleau made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:57 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:00 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Peter Julian moved, — That the Committee urge the government to support the marketing of Canadian cattle and beef exports by increasing the government’s promotional budget for Canadian beef, which is currently underfunded, to a level that establishes an equal playing field with Canada’s main competitors, including Australia and the United States, and that the Committee report this to the House.

Scott Brison moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing “cattle and beef exports by increasing the government’s promotional budget for Canadian beef” with “exports by increasing the government’s promotional budget for Canadian exports”.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Scott Brison and it was negatived.

Scott Brison moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the following: “furthermore, that the Committee urge the government move quickly to negotiate additional free trade agreements that reduce tariffs and improve market access for Canadian products”.

Peter Julian moved, — That the amendment be amended by deleting the word “free”.

Debate arose thereon.

The question was put on the subamendment of Peter Julian and it was negatived.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Scott Brison and it was agreed to.

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

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee urge the government to support the marketing of Canadian cattle and beef exports by increasing the government’s promotional budget for Canadian beef, which is currently underfunded, to a level that establishes an equal playing field with Canada’s main competitors, including Australia and the United States, and that the Committee report this to the House; furthermore, that the Committee urge the government to move quickly to negotiate additional free trade agreements that reduce tariffs and improve market access for Canadian products.

It was agreed, — That the Committee append to its report supplementary opinions from all Parties provided that they are no more than half a page in length and submitted electronically to the Clerk of the Committee, no later than Tuesday, November 24, 2009.

At 12:23 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.