Evidence of meeting #88 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
NDP
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
I support this amendment. In my opinion, it will add transparency to the process. After the discussions we have had today, that is really clear. It will provide a minimum of transparency at least.
I do not think that the government can boast that it is adding transparency voluntarily. It is not even meeting the treaty's basic transparency criteria. Excuse the expression I am about to use, but this is no reason for them to toot their own horn. I am sorry, but the expression has the advantage of being clear.
They seem to be telling us that it is all transparent. But actually, and I repeat this because it is so important, all exports to the United States are not included. We have no information about that. Maybe it is more than 50%, maybe it is less than 50% of our exports, but they are not included.
So, if we can add some transparency, I feel that it is an excellent idea. I have no concerns about the NGOs. The ones I am familiar with are very efficient. I would be curious to find out, but I am almost certain that they would be very happy getting regular reports, rather than one report per year, which all too often arrives late anyway.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Nault
Thank you, Madame Laverdière.
You've heard the robust debate on the amendment proposed by Mr. Ste-Marie. We'll now pose the question.
5:10 p.m.
The Clerk of the Committee Ms. Erica Pereira
The vote is on amendment GPQ-3, clause 21.
(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 2 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Nault
We will now go to amendment NDP-6, put forward by Madame Laverdière. We're on the same clause.
The floor is yours.
5:10 p.m.
NDP
Hélène Laverdière NDP Laurier—Sainte-Marie, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This intent of this amendment is so that the bill to implement the Arms Trade Treaty should reflect the spirit and the letter of that treaty, at least in part. Without information about exports to the United States, this bill fails completely to reflect the spirit and the letter of the Arms Trade Treaty.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
Anita Vandenbeld Liberal Ottawa West—Nepean, ON
Given the very eloquent intervention of Ms. Laverdière earlier, it's very clear that obviously this kind of thing is not actually tracked—for good or for bad; we could debate that, but I don't think this is the time and place. It's very hard to report on something that isn't tracked. I think this amendment is completely impractical. It can't work, because it's impossible to report on something that isn't currently tracked.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Nault
Thank you.
I understand this will be a recorded vote, so we will go to amendment NDP-6 for a recorded vote, Madam Clerk.
(Amendment negatived: nays 8; yeas 1 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
The amendment is defeated, so we will now vote on clause 21.
(Clause 21 agreed to)
(Clauses 22 to 24 inclusive agreed to)
Shall the title carry?
5:15 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
5:15 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
5:15 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Nault
Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill as amended for the use of the House at report stage?
5:15 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bob Nault
Colleagues, that concludes our business on Bill C-47. I want to thank you very much for a very decent discussion about a very important matter to Canada and the Arms Trade Treaty.
Colleagues, before you leave, we're going to go in camera for five minutes just because we have no choice. We have 10 minutes before we have to wrap up, but I think I can do it in two minutes.
I would just ask all of those who don't belong when we're in camera to have a nice day, and thank you very much for your participation.
To the officials, Ms. Gilmour and your colleagues, thank you very much. It was an honour to work with you.
We will move in camera. We will take a couple of minutes to clear the room and then we'll get right to it.
[Proceedings continue in camera]