International Trade Committee on March 12th, 2009

[Mario Silva, Liberal, Davenport, ON]

Are we going to be getting a briefing as well?

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

I think we might fill up the meeting that way. I'm open. From your input and that of Mr. Cardin, it sounds as though that may not be a bad idea. I'm happy to spend the whole meeting on Colombia.

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

Yes, and that's fine, but we're getting off into tangents here. We don't even have Colombia before the House right now. We've already finished discussing it. In the last discussion we had, we were trying to organize a trip to the United States. Now, all of a sudden, we're off somewhere else.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

That's not really the case. I appreciate your point, but we did save a day that week for a discussion of something other than the United States. However, your point is taken.

Go ahead, Mr. Cannis.

[John Cannis, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll be very brief.

If I may clarify, the concern I sense around the table has to do with something the senator stated. He said that he had carried out a meticulous review of the process that led to the signing of the treaty, and that he would very much like to be able to relate concerns shared by some--and I underline the word “some”--members of the Colombian Parliament.

First of all, Mr. Chairman, I agree with you that we could make some time. Maybe the clerk and staff can undertake to give us--whenever they can, but prior to the gentleman's arrival--a summary that might include his affiliation and the studies he made. We could read it and prepare ourselves. As another member of the committee mentioned, what party is he from? Is he on his own? Is he here on behalf of the government? I think that is important, Mr. Chairman. Does he want to come before our committee and do a presentation? I think we need to know the parameters of his visit, and certain other parameters as well.

I'm not turning away. I'm not saying not to invite the gentleman. That's not what I'm saying, but I'd like to know the terms of engagement, if I could put it that way.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Well, perhaps those of us who have studied these matters were assuming a number of things.

I might get an answer from Mr. Julian, or an opinion.

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

You'll certainly get an opinion, Mr. Chair.

I think your approach on this is the right one to take. We have an individual, a senator, coming from Colombia. He represents concerns that have been raised by some members of the Colombian Parliament. I certainly think it's wise to have a counterbalance of opinion and take the whole two hours on this. You're right to suggest, as well, that since we have that as an open meeting and since Senator Robledo will be in town, we can profit from that to have one of what will probably be a number of hearings on Colombia--assuming it comes forward this spring. The parliamentary secretary did say that it was a strong possibility, if not a likelihood. What we're doing is simply getting an advance--

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

I didn't say any such thing.

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

You said it was a possibility.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

We're deviating.

It's going to come at some time.

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

Yes.

So this allows us to do one of those hearings on what could possibly or is likely to come forward.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

That's right. We'll be able to speed it up when it does come, and assure a speedy passage of the bill when it comes.

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

You're certainly putting words in my mouth, Mr. Chair. I think we're doing our due diligence. I like the approach you're taking on this.

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Fair enough.

We will extend the invitation and consider the meeting of March 26 as a meeting on Colombia, again, to facilitate the speedy passage of the bill, should it come before the House.

[John Cannis, Liberal, Scarborough Centre, ON]

Can we have a brief note from the staff on the gentleman?

[The Chair, Conservative, Lee Richardson]

Okay. I think our analyst has a briefing prepared to give to the committee.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Have a good break.