International Trade Committee on Nov. 28th, 2006

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

We were talking about a luncheon and kind of an extra meeting for those who wish to go to that, possibly inviting some members from industry as well. Is my memory serving me correctly?

[The Clerk]

That's correct.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

I was wondering, who is that committee?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

That is an incoming committee that's travelling to Canada. The dates aren't firmly set yet; we don't have the firm dates, but that's what it is. It's more to accommodate them on an informal basis outside of committee time. That's my recollection of that.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

If we have that settled, can we go back to our stage one process?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

From now until Christmas?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Sounds like a long time, doesn't it?

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Are you talking about that?

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

I guess I'm talking about the overall strategy. We've had a number of witnesses come to us and make some negative comments about Canada's slow reaction to catch up to the rest of the world on FDAs, whether it's support of WTO, whether it's a more aggressive position at the WTO, to be able to take advantage of trade opportunities that are out there with countries we haven't even talked to yet. I'm concerned that we're too Canada-U.S. or even NAFTA focused. Why are we keeping it so narrowly focused?

We have this big opportunity we've talked about with the western hemisphere. We have this Central America free trade agreement. Our most recent witness said we're missing out on some huge opportunities there. Why are we keeping such a narrow focus down to only our NAFTA partners? Why aren't we looking at the opportunity?

We've kind of studied that one to death. Let's look outward. Let's look at what our businesses are asking us to look at, which is future trade opportunities with countries we haven't established a working agreement with.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Yes, we have been asked about both. That's the second phase, Mr. Menzies, starting from April 17 to the end of June. That was our proposal, to expand it beyond that. But of course we agreed to have a meeting on the WTO sometime within that first session, from the time we get back until the end of March. Sometime in there we'll certainly schedule a meeting on that.

Some were suggesting we do that before Christmas, but I don't think we're getting useful information yet. It's the proposal to re-start that's in motion, but I don't think it's far enough along to get much good information, so the steering committee suggested we do that after Christmas.

I think we'll deal with all the things you're talking about.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

I'd hate to see us focus only on NAFTA, because that agreement has been in place a long time. I think all of the industries in Canada understand the fundamentals of NAFTA. I don't think we're doing our industries any service. Our industries want us to develop new markets, rather than focus on something we've been doing for a long time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

This is what the committee said, and anyone can comment. We've heard from several very prominent witnesses on this issue and they all pointed to North America as the area that would certainly warrant a lot of focus, but beyond as well. The steering committee proposes that we have two studies, or a two-part study. The first part would be on NAFTA, January until the end of March, and have the report to the House by the end of March. The second part is to go beyond that, to exactly what you're talking about. I think we're trying to accommodate what you are saying.

In the time leading up to the Christmas break, the four meetings or whatever...for example, next Tuesday, if the committee approves, we'll have the witnesses from the agriculture groups. I certainly expect some discussion on the WTO to do with that, and other countries outside of North America.

We have Mr. Julian, Monsieur André, then we'll go back to Ms. Guergis and Mr. Eyking, in that order.

Mr. Menzies.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

The only thing I was going to suggest is that if we can't get the Agri-Food Trade Alliance, perhaps we can get the Grain Growers of Canada, another group that's represented here in Ottawa. That's if we can't get the Agri-Food Trade Alliance, but I'd surely try hard for them, because you commented that—

[Mark Eyking, Liberal, Sydney—Victoria, NS]

We could bring in the Wheat Board.

[Ted Menzies, Conservative, Macleod, AB]

Yes, but we're talking about international commerce; their international powers are gone.

If you can't get the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, that would be an option, but I would certainly push for the Agri-Food Trade Alliance, because they represent food processors and producers.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Thanks, Mr. Menzies.

Monsieur André, I believe, was next.

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

I find the proposed schedule acceptable.

However, I would like us to take time to look at the following matter. Some companies are in a crisis situation at the moment: they are experiencing difficulties. We should take some time—I do not know exactly when, before the elections, I hope—to analyze these companies here at the Standing Committee on International Trade. I know that Mr. Julian will be putting forward a motion on the textile industry, for example. We know that this market is currently experiencing major difficulties as regards international trade. I am also thinking of the furniture industry.

We, the members of the Standing Committee on International Trade, should take the time to review this so that we can put forward some recommendations as to how to support these industries, which, at the moment, are experiencing some significant problems in their trade with the United States, China, etc.

If our committee does not deal with these matters, we will be missing the boat. I think this is something we must do.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Monsieur André, you know, of course, that during any of these meetings you are completely free to bring up those issues with the witnesses. That's certainly an opportunity that's there.

[Guy André, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

I will do that, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Merci.

Now, I think Mr. Julian.... I'm just going to check the list.

Actually, Ms. Guergis is next.

[Helena Guergis, Conservative, Simcoe—Grey, ON]

Thank you. I think Mr. Julian was before me.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

Yes, Mr. Julian.

Mr. Julian, go ahead.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

I appreciate that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Leon Benoit]

I'm sorry; actually, you were on the list first.

[Peter Julian, NDP, Burnaby—New Westminster, BC]

And there was also Mr. Eyking.