CIIT Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on International Trade met at 11:03 a.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, the Chair, the Hon. Rob Merrifield, presiding.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of a Vice-Chair.

On motion of Ron Cannan, it was agreed, — That Don Davies be elected First Vice-Chair of the Committee.

The Committee commenced its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), consideration of Clause 1 was postponed.

The Chair called Clause 2.

The witnesses answered questions.

By unanimous consent, Clauses 2 to 6 inclusive carried on division severally.

On Clause 7,

“ers’ rights, including the right to collective bargaining, strengthen cooperation on labour”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Don Davies and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

“(g) enhance and enforce laws with the goal of eliminating human trafficking and forced labour in Jordan.”

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 766 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Second Edition.

Whereupon, Wayne Easter appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

After further debate, Clause 7 carried by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

By unanimous consent, Clauses 8 to 11 inclusive carried on division severally.

On Clause 12,

“(1.1) The Minister shall

(a) consult with independent experts on human rights and independent human rights organizations in order to assess the impact, on human rights in Canada and in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, of the implementation of the Agreement; and

(b) within six months after this Act comes into force, cause to be laid before each House of Parliament a report on that assessment that includes the findings and recommendations of those experts and organizations or, if that House is not then sitting, on any of the first five days next thereafter that that House is sitting.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Wayne Easter and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

“(1.1) The Minister shall

(a) within 60 days after this Act comes into force, consult with independent experts on human rights and the environment with a view to preparing a report that provides baseline data, as of the coming into force of this Act,

(i) on the enjoyment of human rights in Jordan, including labour rights, with a particular focus on those rights in export processing zones, and

(ii) on existing environmental standards and on key environmental concerns in Jordan that are linked to liberalized trade; and

(b) cause to be laid before each House of Parliament, within each of the following periods, a report on the basis of the consultation referred to in paragraph (a) that provides an assessment of the impact on human rights, including labour rights, and the environment in Jordan of the implementation of the Agreement and that includes the findings and recommendations of those experts,

(i) within one year after the coming into force of this Act,

(ii) during the second year after the coming into force of this Act, and

(iii) during the third year after the coming into force of this Act.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Don Davies and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Don Davies, Wayne Easter, Marc-André Morin, Annick Papillon, Jasbir Sandhu — 5; NAYS: Ron Cannan, Russ Hiebert, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory — 6.

After further debate, Clause 12 carried on division.

By unanimous consent, Clauses 13 to 43 inclusive carried on division severally.

On new Clause 43.1,

“PART 2.1

TERMINATION OF APPLICATION

43.1 The provisions of this Act cease to apply at the expiration of the third year after this Act comes into force unless, before the expiration of that period, their application is extended by resolution of both Houses of Parliament.”

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

By unanimous consent, Clauses 44 to 46 carried on division severally.

By unanimous consent, Schedules 1 to 5 inclusive carried on division severally.

The Short Title carried on division.

The Title carried on division.

The Bill carried on division.

ORDERED, — That the Chair report the Bill to the House.

At 12:11 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:13 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

It was agreed, — That the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the Chair, prepare a draft budget respecting the Committee's proposed travel of seven Committee members, to Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, Japan, in June 2012, in relation to its study of a Canada-Japan bilateral trade agreement.

At 12:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.