International Trade Committee on Feb. 12th, 2009

Evidence of meeting #3 for International Trade in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was efta.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Bill C-2, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the States of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Republic of Iceland, the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Kingdom of Norway and the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Swiss Confederation

Committee Business

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Karl Risser Jr. President, Local 1, Canadian Auto Workers Shipbuilding, Waterways and Marine Workers Council

Gary McGee Director of Defence and Marine, Department of Industry

Kei Moray Assistant Director, Business Income Tax Division, Tax Policy Branch, Department of Finance

Dean Beyea Senior Chief, International Trade Policy Division, International Trade and Finance, Department of Finance

Patrick Halley Chief, Tariffs and Market Acess, Department of Finance

Emile Rochon Sector Development Officer, Defence and Marine Directorate, Department of Industry

Michael Holden Committee Researcher

11 a.m.

Conservative

Gerald Keddy Conservative South Shore—St. Margaret's, NS

With respect to Mr. Cannis' comments, I appreciate his comments and I realize the responsibility of holding the government accountable.

My point, Mr. Cannis, quite simply, is that we have studied the EFTA agreement at great length. There have been absolutely no changes in this legislation from the bill we studied. It addresses, to the degree that it can be addressed, I believe, the shipbuilding part and the supply management part.

We do have another obligation here, and that is our obligation that we have our four partners certainly ready to sign, we have an economic downturn in this country when jobs and opportunity are important, and we have an opportunity to continue to improve our balance of trade from the position it's in today. I do think we need to move this forward as quickly as possible.

I appreciate the debate, but call the question. If you want to continue to call witnesses, then the majority on the committee rules. It's as simple as that.

11 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

I'm sorry that we have run out of time. There is another committee waiting to use the room. I would call for the vote, except I understand there are others who want to continue to debate the motion. I can't call the vote when there are others who have already signified an interest in speaking further on the motion.

11 a.m.

Bloc

Serge Cardin Bloc Sherbrooke, QC

Ask for the unanimous consent of the committee.

11 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Lee Richardson

Unfortunately, I have to adjourn the meeting. We'll resume on February 24.

The meeting is adjourned.