Evidence of meeting #9 for Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was trade.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Steve Verheul  Assistant Deputy Minister, Trade Policy and Negotiations and Chief Trade Negotiator of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
William Reinsch  Scholl Chair and Senior Adviser, Center for Strategic and International Studies, As an Individual
Stuart Trew  Senior Researcher, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Colin Robertson  Vice-President and Fellow, Canadian Global Affairs Institute

4:50 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

One of the strengths we've had is that, even though we may not have the final decision as members of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, we're chirping at people all the time, and they're chirping back at their people all through the system. They're hearing it several ways and getting issues you'd never think of before.

I want to quickly move to Mr. Trew, because you mentioned something with regard to, almost, a domestic procurement policy. That's something I got advice on from a former U.S. congressman. He passed away. Mr. Oberstar was a long-representing transport committee person as well. He was a very good person in many respects. He was part of our Canada-U.S.... He mentioned to me that we should consider a buy Canada policy as part of a negotiation tactic to push back a bit on some of these things that might seem almost to the point they're silly between us, like digging up pipes and infrastructure and so forth.

Is that what you're kind of suggesting, that element? I'll segue there really quickly to why I think it might lead to.... When I talked about the microchip issue, it is to partner on that where we are domestically bound to China's production, and this is for a microchip that's necessary for a PlayStation, a minivan and a toaster. This is where we've put our vulnerability. Is that the goal of domestic procurement, that it could also lead and open up dialogue to creating maybe some co-production for North America?

4:50 p.m.

Senior Researcher, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Stuart Trew

I would say yes. A buy Canadian policy is probably out of the question at this point, given the commitments we've made recently in the CETA and other agreements, but, as we've been proposing and other unions have been proposing, there can be sustainability criteria attached to public spending that would have similar effects.

You can also think, perhaps, of Canada's building on its global leadership on gender-friendly, gender-based trade, where we look at how we bring more women-owned businesses into procurement opportunities within Canada. We could have something similar to a trade commissioner's service, for example, but domestically, to help small and medium-sized enterprises, women-owned businesses and indigenous-owned businesses to find the procurement opportunities that are available across Canada. The effect is that you're helping these companies get into those opportunities, but you're not doing it with strictly buy Canadian.

A buy sustainable policy that had the same effect would potentially bring the Biden administration to the table, because it might have the effect of excluding certain American companies.

4:50 p.m.

NDP

Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON

Some of the infrastructure projects over here, like the Gordie Howe bridge, are something I've been after since 1997.

At any rate, the U.S. has provisions to allow for access to minorities, women and others who are disenfranchised historically through the economic system, so that they get a portion or a carve-out. I guess you're saying the same type of thing in some respects. That wouldn't violate our policies because they're already doing it there.

4:50 p.m.

Senior Researcher, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Stuart Trew

It wouldn't strictly. We didn't seek, within the GPA or the WTO, a carve-out for those policies like the U.S. has. We don't have a carve-out or set-asides for minority-owned businesses or women-owned businesses. I don't see that as a reason not to pursue them. I don't think we should be avoiding risks like that for good policy.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Raj Saini

Thank you, Mr. Masse.

Colleagues, it looks like we have five minutes left, so I don't think we'll have a chance to go into the second round. I will—

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Leona Alleslev Conservative Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill, ON

No.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Raj Saini

I'm sorry, but it's 4:55 now. It wouldn't be fair to everybody [Technical difficulty—Editor], so I'll thank the witnesses on behalf of the committee.

Thank you Mr. Reinsch, Mr. Trew and Mr. Robertson for your comments today and helping us discover more about this policy that the United States is thinking of enacting. On behalf of the committee, we really appreciate your comments.

Thank you to the committee. I hope you have a great weekend.