Ed Holder at the Government Operations and Estimates Committee

On October 21st, 2010. See this statement in context.

October 21st, 2010 / 10:35 a.m.

Conservative

Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON

Mr. Jeffery, I'm sorry to interrupt, but the time is limited.

I'll quote this prohibition for you from the Agreement on Internal Trade:

the biasing of technical specifications in favour of, or against, particular goods or services, including those goods or services included in construction contracts

That comes from articles 504(2) and 504(3)(b). I appreciate, of course, that I have that in front of me and you don't.

We have more specifics: NAFTA article 1007(1), which talks about “unnecessary obstacles to trade”, and the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, article VI(I).

I think it's fairly clear, sir, that this creates great impediments for our forestry industry nationally to be able to export. You might reference something else, but I have grave concerns for the sake of the greater good of the Canadian forestry industry.

Any comment on that?

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