Evidence of meeting #4 for Finance in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was information.
Bloc
Paule Brunelle Bloc Trois-Rivières, QC
So there is no organization in Canada with a mandate to try to see how we can adapt the economy to the new realities.
Do you rely on university research chairs or other organizations of this type?
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
I cannot answer that question. All I know is that we do not do this.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
What is the dollar value of the imports that come under your jurisdiction?
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
We have not done that calculation. We look at cases one at a time, but we have not added up the dollar value of the cases we have dealt with over a particular year.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
So you cannot tell me what the percentage figures are for the section for which you are responsible. I suppose you don't have any idea about that either.
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
We could say that under certain conditions, all imports could be subject to the tribunal.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
How much money are we talking about? It must be hundreds of billions of dollars.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
You said that you had 78 requests for review last year. Those were requests that came from companies or associations which thought there was a dumping or improper trade practice.
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
No. I believe there was confusion. The figures we can give you...
Conservative
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
Concerning dumping and countervailing duties, for 2005-2006, we heard 18 cases, 234 appeals, 9 safeguard enquiries and 67 complaints on government contracts. That totals 328 cases.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
Do you think that number is high or low, in proportion to Canada's total imports?
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
It is low.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
Why do you think it is low? Is it because your organization is not well known? Is it because people do not know they can file a complaint? What explains it?
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
I think that is a small percentage of Canada's total trade is affected because in most of business deals, people do not complain. We are increasingly moving towards free trade and people believe that they do not have any reason to complain.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
Your mandate is to take on a more reactive role, rather than a proactive one. Do you think it would be useful to have an emergency intervention team ready to decide on which types of businesses or industries should be subject to an inquiry or a review, in order to determine whether or not there was dumping?
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
No. We are only able to react after the fact, because that is our mandate.
Conservative
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
I cannot answer that question. It has no bearing.
Conservative
Chair, Office of the Chairman, Canadian International Trade Tribunal
The evolution of the global economy, as shaped by the WTO and bilateral accords, is reflected in what we do. I do not believe that an emergency team is required.
Conservative
Luc Harvey Conservative Louis-Hébert, QC
I am asking you that question because you predict a 20 per cent decrease in requests for inquiries for the years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. If you think that there are not enough cases and you forecast an additional 20 per cent reduction in the number of cases, it is because something is going on.
