Evidence of meeting #109 for International Trade in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cptpp.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:05 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Trade Policy and Negotiations and Lead Negotiator of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
We were asked to continue our consultations with all Canadians, including those who represent the progressive trade element as indigenous groups, and we intensified our consultations with indigenous groups.
10:05 a.m.
NDP
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
That didn't answer my question.
Were you directed by the government to obtain free, prior, and informed consent from indigenous peoples?
10:05 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Trade Policy and Negotiations and Lead Negotiator of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
That's a discussion that I think you should continue to raise at the political level.
We were—
10:05 a.m.
NDP
10:05 a.m.
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Trade Policy and Negotiations and Lead Negotiator of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
As negotiators, we were encouraged to intensify consultations with all Canadians, including those who represent the groups most affected by a progressive trade agenda, and including indigenous groups.
10:05 a.m.
NDP
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
Okay, so I have to take that as a no.
I'll turn it over to Mr. Bouchard then, if you'd like to respond to the labour provisions.
May 8th, 2018 / 10:05 a.m.
Pierre Bouchard Director, Bilateral and Regional Labour Affairs, Department of Employment and Social Development
Your question relates to this Guatemala case, which means that all obligations have to be demonstrated to be done in a manner affecting trade between the parties. This particular language was in a U.S. mandate, what we called the May 10th agreement of 2007. They had no flexibility on this.
We had concerns. This was not Canada's approach at the time. At the same time—at the table—we had a long discussion on this. The understanding amongst negotiators was that the U.S. said they had this text, but our understanding was that anything trade related would be deemed to affect trade between the parties. This was the interpretation that Canada would take.
Anything that was trade related—all of Canada's agreements have this criteria of trade related—because it was the understanding of the negotiators.... We would take the approach that if anything was trade related, it would be deemed to affect trade between the parties.
10:05 a.m.
NDP
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
Given the Guatemalan decision, what we now know is unenforceable, that we won't be able to enforce any of the labour text in there, have there been any further conversations around implementing the legislation in a way that we can address this?
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
10:05 a.m.
Director, Bilateral and Regional Labour Affairs, Department of Employment and Social Development
No, there was no specific discussion.
10:05 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
Well, that wraps it up. Everybody had a chance to ask questions.
There are a few unanswered questions. If you want to bring them forward to us, we can relay them to the committee at a later date.
Thank you very much for coming in, and keep up the hard work.
The meeting is adjourned.