CIIT Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 30

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

The Standing Committee on International Trade met at 9:05 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Leon Benoit, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Guy André, Leon Benoit, Ron Cannan, Serge Cardin, Hon. Mark Eyking, Helena Guergis, Peter Julian, Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, John Maloney, Ted Menzies and Lui Temelkovski.

Acting Members present: Dean Del Mastro for Helena Guergis and Ken Epp for Pierre Lemieux.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Peter Berg, Analyst ; Michael Holden, Analyst.

Witnesses: Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers: Mark Rowlinson, Labour Lawyer; Nick Milanovic, Labour Lawyer. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (International Trade): David Plunkett, Director General, Bilateral and Regional Trade Policy; Terry Collins-Williams, Director General, Multilateral Trade Policy; Paul Robertson, Director General, North America Trade Policy.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its study of the Canada - Central America Four Free Trade Agreement Negotiations (Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua).

Mark Rowlinson and Nick Milanovic made statements and answered questions.

At 10:00 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:10 a.m., the sitting resumed.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its study of the Canada's Trade Policy.

Terry Collins, Paul Robertson and David Plunkett made statements and answered questions.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to consider the notices of motions submitted by Peter Julian.

Peter Julian moved, — That the Committee report to the House, recommending that the government suspend Canada-CA4FTA negotiations until the following steps to open the process for public discussion are achieved:

- Full and immediate disclosure of all draft texts and Canadian negotiating proposals for the CA4FTA;

- Mechanisms are developed for authentic public debate, including stakeholder consultations that are open to civil society and broader public participation;

- This committee is mandated to conduct a further study on the potential impacts of the Canada-CA4FTA, including human rights experts. This study would enable the Standing Committee to make an informed recommendation to Parliament.

Debate arose thereon.

Serge Cardin moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after “That” and substituting the following therefore:

That the Committee report to the House on the Canada-CA4FTA negotiations while:

- Full and immediate disclosing of all draft texts and Canadian negotiating proposals for the CA4FTA;

- Mechanisms are being developed for authentic public debate, including stakeholder consultations that are open to civil society and broader public participation;

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Serge Cardin and it was agreed to on division.

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

At 12:06 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Normand Radford
Clerk of the Committee

2006/10/23 1:33 p.m.