Evidence of meeting #28 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 fowl.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Director, International Trade Policy Division, Department of Finance
I just wanted to add to that, because part of what Frédéric had talked about was, for example, a poultry working group, and coming out of that there were a number of complaints about imports of goods that shouldn't qualify under the duties relief program or the import for re-export program.
So we've looked, over time, at how much these impact the domestic market, and they've been roughly 7% to 9% and they continue in that regard. However, what they did is enforcement on the duties relief program, and over the last quarter they decreased, as a result of the enforcement actions, by 32% in Q2, 2016. We're quite pleased with the outcome. I'd ask CBSA to verify this, but it seemed like there were a few actors in that space who weren't doing exactly what we hoped, and we want to make sure that these are held tight.
The overall impact wasn't large, but it's come back significantly from then.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
I just want to take the opportunity to commend you for that progress and the success we've seen in the last few months on this file. Thank you for that and for sharing it with the committee.
I have a brief follow-up question. Mr. Winter, you've been very quiet and I didn't want to put you on the spot, but I think you're the only economist at the table here. I mention this because we are, after all, the trade committee and I think we have to look at everything in the trade context. I wonder if there's been any economic analysis done by your department about what impact this is having on the Canadian economy.
Scott Winter Senior Economist, International Trade Policy Division, Department of Finance
In terms of the micro impacts of these issues, as Dean has said, we see a range of estimates from the industry. However, the sector experts are really the officials who work for Frédéric at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and they would be better positioned to speak to those.
From a macro impact in terms of the Canadian economy, I think you would find that the results are quite small.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Okay.
Does anyone else have any other input they want to share?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
Okay, that said, everybody has had a chance to ask questions here today. That wraps it up then.
Thank you very much to all the officials for coming in and being quick with your briefs and forthright with your answers.
Right now we're going to go in camera, so we'll ask everyone to leave who needs to leave. We're going to suspend for five minutes.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
On a point of order, I just want to ensure that we'll be dealing with my motion.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
Yes, we'll talk about it. No problem.
[Proceedings continue in camera]