CIIT Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 49

Thursday, October 4, 2012

The Standing Committee on International Trade met in camera at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 268, La Promenade Building, the Chair, the Hon. Rob Merrifield, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Hon. Ron Cannan, Don Davies, Hon. Wayne Easter, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Hon. Rob Merrifield, Marc-André Morin, Annick Papillon, Jasbir Sandhu, Bev Shipley and Devinder Shory.

Acting Members present: Kevin Lamoureux for Hon. Wayne Easter, Ève Péclet for Annick Papillon and Brad Trost for Russ Hiebert.

In attendance: House of Commons: Mike MacPherson, Legislative Clerk . Library of Parliament: Alexandre Gauthier, Analyst.

Witnesses: Department of Human Resources and Skills Development: Pierre Bouchard, Director, Bilateral and Regional Labour Affairs. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Stacy-Paul Healy, Counsel, Market Access and Trade Remedies Law Division; Cameron MacKay, Director General, China Trade Policy Bureau; John O'Neill, Director, Investment Trade Policy Division.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

At 3:38 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 3:39 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, June 20, 2012 and the motion adopted by the Committee on Thursday, September 20, 2012, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-24, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Panama, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Panama and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Panama.

Don Davies moved, — That, notwithstanding the Order adopted by the Committee on Thursday, September 27, 2012, the Committee postpone its clause by clause consideration of Bill C-24 until Canada and Panama have signed a tax information exchange agreement.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4; NAYS: Ron Cannan, Wayne Easter, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7.

Don Davies moved, — That the Committee:

recommend that the Government of Canada negotiate an agreement with the Government of Panama that would provide for financial penalties of up to $50 million per violation of the Agreement on the Environment contained in Bill C-24;

report this to the House of Commons; and

notwithstanding the Order adopted by the Committee on Thursday, September 27, 2012, postpone its consideration of Bill C-24 until this agreement is signed.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4; NAYS: Ron Cannan, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Kevin Lamoureux, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7.

The witnesses answered questions.

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.

By unanimous consent, Clause 2 was allowed to stand.

Clause 3 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Kevin Lamoureux, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the result of the vote on the previous Clause be applied to Clauses 4 to 6, 8, 9, 11, 13 to 65 and to schedules 1 to 10.

Accordingly, Clauses 4 to 6, 8, 9, 11, 13 to 65 and schedules 1 to 10 were deemed carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Kevin Lamoureux, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

On Clause 7,

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 7, be amended by replacing line 36 on page 2 with the following:

“rocal trade and taxation transparency, the harmonious development of”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Don Davies and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4; NAYS: Ron Cannan, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Kevin Lamoureux, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7.

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 7, be amended by replacing line 36 on page 2 with the following:

“rocal trade, the harmonious and sustainable development of”

The question was put on the amendment of Don Davies and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4; NAYS: Ron Cannan, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Kevin Lamoureux, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7.

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 7, be amended by replacing line 4 on page 3 with the following:

“(d) substantially increase sustainable investment oppor-”

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 7, be amended by replacing line 15 on page 3 with the following:

“ers' rights, including the right to collective bargaining, strengthen cooperation and build”

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 7, be amended by replacing line 19 on page 3 with the following:

“(h) promote sustainable development, including sustainable human development.”

Clause 7 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Kevin Lamoureux, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

On Clause 10,

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 10, be amended by replacing line 4 on page 4 with the following:

“tive of Canada on the Joint Commission. In performing this function, the Minister is to consult on a regular basis with representatives of Canadian business, labour, environmental and human rights organizations.”

Clause 10 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Kevin Lamoureux, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

On Clause 12,

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 12, be amended by replacing line 9 on page 4 with the following:

“12. (1) The Minister must”

By unanimous consent, it was agreed — That the result of the vote on the previous amendment be applied to the following two (2) amendments which are therefore also negatived:

That Bill C-24, in Clause 12, be amended by replacing line 19 on page 4 with the following:

“(2) The Minister of the Environment must”

That Bill C-24, in Clause 12, be amended by replacing line 1 on page 5 with the following:

“(3) The Minister of Labour must”

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 12, be amended by adding after line 18 on page 4 the following:

“(1.1) The Minister must

(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 Republic of Panama, of the implementation of the Agreement; and

(b) within 60 days 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.”

Clause 12 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Kevin Lamoureux, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

On new Clause 15.1,

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24 be amended by adding after line 8 on page 6 the following new clause:

“TERMINATION OF APPLICATION

15.1 The provisions of this Act cease to apply five years after this Act comes into force unless, before the expiration of that period, their application is extended by a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament.”

On Clause 2,

Don Davies moved, — That Bill C-24, in Clause 2, be amended by adding after line 7 on page 2 the following:

““sustainable development” means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The question was put on the amendment of Don Davies and it was negatived on the following recorded division: YEAS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4; NAYS: Ron Cannan, Wayne Easter, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7.

Clause 2 carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Wayne Easter, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

The Short Title carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Wayne Easter, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

The Title carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Wayne Easter, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

The Bill carried on the following recorded division: YEAS: Ron Cannan, Wayne Easter, Ed Holder, Gerald Keddy, Bev Shipley, Devinder Shory, Brad Trost — 7; NAYS: Don Davies, Marc-André Morin, Ève Péclet, Jasbir Sandhu — 4.

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

At 4:35 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Paul Cardegna
Clerk of the Committee

2012/10/18 2:29 p.m.