Finance Committee on June 17th, 2013

[Alain Castonguay]

The treaty with Namibia was signed in 2006. The negotiations began in 2005. I do not have the signature date on hand. The negotiations were completed before my arrival in 2006, but the treaty was signed a few years later. Obviously, once we, the negotiators, conclude an agreement, we have to begin a process to obtain the government's approval. That can take some time.

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

If I have understood correctly, the negotiations were completed before 2006, but no other negotiations were held between then and the signature of the treaty prior to the passing of the bill.

[Alain Castonguay]

We signed it soon thereafter. I do not have the exact date with me. We knew that the treaty with Hong Kong was close at hand. So we wanted to be efficient, in terms of legislation, so that we would have a certain number of treaties to present to parliamentarians.

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

I saw on the list that 11 agreements were signed, but are not yet in force. This bill covers six agreements.

If those 11 agreements have already been completed and signed, why are the 5 remaining ones not included?

[Alain Castonguay]

In Austria's case, the approval will be granted through an order in council, since the legislation makes this possible under the original agreement with that country. In Barbados's case, the ratification is close at hand. When it comes to France, we are waiting for the ratification, which will also be granted through an order in council. In Lebanon's case, the agreement was accepted under a Canadian piece of legislation in 1999, but Lebanon has not yet ratified it. As for Luxembourg, the agreement is part of the bill. In New Zealand's case, we have had to undertake additional negotiations to resolve a minor issue in the agreement we signed last year. That should be presented next year.

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

I have one last question, which is also of a technical nature.

What determines whether an agreement will be adopted by order in council or through a bill presented to Parliament?

[Alain Castonguay]

The enabling legislation Canada passed in the 1970s and 1980s included a provision whereby amendments to treaties could be made by order in council. If my memory serves me right, that stopped being our policy in the mid-1980s or the early 1990s. Today, any amendment or new treaty must be presented to Parliament in the form of a bill.

[Guy Caron, NDP, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Colleagues, we have clauses 2 to 15. Are there any clauses that members wish to speak to further on? Can I group these clauses together?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Shall clauses 2 to 15 carry?

(Clauses 2 to 15 inclusive agreed to)

We have schedules 1 to 6. Can I group these schedules together?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Shall schedules 1 to 6 carry?

(Schedules 1 to 6 inclusive agreed to)

Shall the short title carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Shall the title carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Shall the bill carry?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Shall the chair report the bill to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you so much.

I want to thank our officials for being here. I appreciate that very much.

I mean it this time when I say, have a very good summer.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, James Rajotte]

Thank you so much, colleagues. Merci beaucoup.

The meeting is adjourned.