Evidence of meeting #14 for International Trade in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was america.
Conservative
Ted Menzies Conservative Macleod, AB
I have some concern about this. There has to be, I would think, sensitive information that's been provided by companies that would be most inappropriate to share in the public domain. I have great concerns with that precise a wording.
I think we could accept an amendment to give our industry department a little latitude to protect sensitive, commercial information, if you're capable of understanding that.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Mr. Menzies, are you proposing an amendment, a friendly amendment of some kind?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Mr. Julian, are you open to a friendly amendment along the line Mr. Menzies has been indicating, just to speed it up? Let's move it along if we can.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
This is about providing it to the members of the Standing Committee on International Trade, Mr. Chair, so no, I don't see the relevance of Mr. Menzies' remarks.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The original study was actually done by Industry Canada on the impact of a free trade agreement with South Korea. It demonstrated that the elimination of the current auto tariff of 6.1% would have little impact on the automotive production in Canada.
I have a few other points I would like to make with respect to Mr. Julian's motion, if I can.
This study, of course, was a part of a cabinet decision, and it cannot be made public, as I think he knows.
Industry Canada is currently finalizing a subsequent analysis using publicly available data and a publicly available economic model called the COMPAS model. This model is used extensively by governments and the private sector.
The overall conclusions, as I said, from the study are the same as those of the initial study, namely that a free trade agreement with South Korea will have very little impact on automotive production in Canada. This is primarily due to current trade patterns and the fact that the vast majority—85%—of Canadian manufactured vehicles are exported primarily to the U.S.A., and three out of four vehicles sold in Canada are imported. Of the remaining production, only a limited number of models are in direct competition with Korean imports. Potential import growth for Korea will also be tempered by the new Hyundai plant in Alabama and a proposed new Kia facility in Georgia.
I'm not sure if any of my other colleagues have any comment they would like to add to this, but to reiterate, this report is a part of a cabinet decision, and it's not something that can be made public.
Conservative
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
Thank you.
To reiterate my colleague's comments about the sensitivity of the issue, I know that when we heard from some of the witnesses, there were some concerns from the auto sector. I know the Government of Canada will continue to work with the automotive industry.
They've got some different forums in which to present their analysis of the impact on Canadian production and the free trade agreement. No analysis to date on the impact of the free trade agreement has been submitted by the industry. I think it's important to realize that the negotiations are ongoing and are actually very premature in many ways.
As far as the application of getting this information out within 30 days, I would suggest, as a friendly amendment, that the mover remove “within 30 days” and be open to having the report when it's appropriate and when it's available.
Conservative
Helena Guergis Conservative Simcoe—Grey, ON
It could be another timeframe to give them more time to get the analysis together.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Mr. Julian, you've heard the tone here. The members on the government side are suggesting that 30 days may not be enough. They would like that specific part of the motion removed so the government has a reasonable amount of time to put the information together and get it to the committee.
How do you respond to that, Mr. Julian?
NDP
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Well, Mr. Chair, we had three interventions and all three of them contradicted each other.
Effectively, we know that those studies have been produced. We were told that in testimony from witnesses. In fact, we were told that the studies had already been shared with the automotive industry and with automotive workers who are in the automotive consultative group. When the witnesses from the automotive consultative group came forward, they said, no, those studies had not been shared with them.
It's important to clarify what is indeed happening. The impact studies that have been done, which we were told would be shared with the automotive consultative group, have not been shared. I think it's perfectly legitimate for this committee to request a timeline of 30 days, because as we heard in testimony, those studies have already been done.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
I understand. No friendly amendment is being welcomed here.
Mr. Cannan.
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
I only want to clarify this. When I gave a timeframe as an amendment, I was going to say 90 days, but in the spirit of the all-Canadian compromise, I would say 60 days. That would give them a reasonable opportunity.
I don't know if the mover would be open to that.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Mr. Julian, we have witnesses waiting. We're trying to get to them as soon as possible.
Peter Julian NDP Burnaby—New Westminster, BC
Yes, and I'd certainly like to proceed to the vote, Mr. Chair. Let's do so.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Okay. Does anyone want to put forth a formal amendment?
Yes, Mr. Cannan.
Conservative
Ron Cannan Conservative Kelowna—Lake Country, BC
I'd like to make the motion that instead of “within 30 days”, it's “within 60 days”.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Okay. You have all heard the proposed amendment by Mr. Cannan.
Shall we go to the question?
(Amendment negatived)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
We'll now go to the vote on the motion by Mr. Julian.
(Motion agreed to)
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Is there anything else, Mr. Julian, or anyone else on the opposition side?