International Trade Committee on June 1st, 2010

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

Sorry, Mr. Chair?

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

You will have to ask for a recorded vote on every vote. I'm not going to surmise that you may or may not change your mind.

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

Well, if I change my mind, I'll certainly tell you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Chair, since we are on clause 2, I would like to ask the people here tonight--and we appreciate their coming, though normally they would be coming during the day after full committee hearings.... We apologize for the fact that there weren't full and comprehensive hearings into this bill.

I'm interested in the agreement on labour cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Colombia. I would like to know, in the case where there are continued murders of trade unionists in Colombia, is it true that ultimately the recourse of those trade unionists and trade organizations that are subject to that murder rate and continue to raise concerns about it—

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

A point of order, Mr. Chair.

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

I'm asking a question.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

There's a point of order.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I believe when we asked our experts, who we've invited here this evening, to hear the clause-by-clause.... The question actually has to deal with the clause we're asking about. I don't see any of that in this clause.

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

Well, clause 2 actually cites—

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

It contains a number of definitions.

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

—“the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Colombia”.

My question is very simple. Does the Colombian government have to pay a fine outside of Colombia, or does the money go to the Republic of Colombia?

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

What does that have to do with clause 2?

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

We're allowed to ask questions, Mr. Keddy.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

You're saying it's on paragraph 2(b), on the agreement on labour cooperation?

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

Yes.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Then what is your specific question?

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

I've asked it, Mr. Chair. They're just responding now.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Again, what is your question?

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

I just asked it, Mr. Chair, and they're now looking for the response. They'll be giving their response forthwith.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

Mr. Julian, I always like to make the most of our time. Do you have a—

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

I asked the question.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I know. I was going to ask you if you had another question for one of the other witnesses. I thought maybe you could ask that while they're finding you the answer. That's all I was going to suggest.

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

Not on this clause, I don't.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

That's fine. Then I'll just wait until we get the answer to Mr. Julian.

Then I'll come to you, Mr. Laforest.

[Jean-Yves Laforest, Bloc, Saint-Maurice—Champlain, QC]

I have a question for you—I'm not sure whether the witnesses or the Clerks can answer—regarding clause 2.

Clause 2 deals with definitions and interpretation. Reference is made to the Free Trade Agreement and related agreements. It also talks about the Agreement on the Environment Between Canada and the Republic of Columbia, the Agreement on Labour Cooperation Between Canada and the Republic of Columbia, a Joint Commission and the federal law.

However, on May 27, an agreement on annual human rights reports and free trade between Canada and the Republic of Columbia was signed, although it is not mentioned in the bill.

Should it be mentioned and why is it not included? I am just wondering. It talks about related agreements, but is that not one as well? It seems to me that is important, and I don't understand why it is not mentioned here.

That is a question and not a proposed amendment.

[The Acting Chair, Conservative, Larry Miller]

I'll try to get an answer to that. I'm going to ask the clerk.

Do any of the witnesses have an answer to Mr. Laforest's question?