International Trade Committee on Dec. 14th, 2016

[Kyle Peterson, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

This one is the most recent one that we've submitted, and I think it's meant to correct an error that we identified during some stakeholder outreach, so this is housekeeping, so to speak. It provides some clarification that is needed when disputed applications expire following a court proceeding. In an attempt to eliminate that confusion, I think this amendment provides greater clarity and certainty to the applicants, which will allow them to benefit from the regime as anticipated, contemplated, and intended.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Are there comments?

Ms. Ramsey.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

Yes, I want some clarification as to why this change is necessary. Why the difference between all of those and the change to “if two or more”? What was the intent of that change? I hear you saying that you think it would be a positive change, but I'm just wondering why it's necessary.

[Kyle Peterson, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

The current language, I think, led to some confusion. A possible interpretation could be that an application would expire at the end of the dispute period, even when only a single application remains. We're just trying to get rid of some of that confusion, because that obviously was not intended. We're trying to accurately reflect what the intention was.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

If you had one that was remaining, then are you suggesting that does not expire, that it continues, and only if there are two or more?

[Kyle Peterson, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

Correct.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Shall amendment LIB-2.1 carry?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

On amendment LIB-3, are there any comments?

[Kyle Peterson, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

I think LIB-3 is consequential to our amendment to clause 40. Again, this was made in consultation with both the generics and the innovative medicines in trying to come up with a compromise that is acceptable to the stakeholders. Again, we hope it's acceptable to the members of this committee so that we can pass the amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Are there any more comments?

[Gerry Ritz, Conservative, Battlefords—Lloydminster, SK]

[Inaudible—Editor] also been adopted before, as a continuation of—

[Kyle Peterson, Liberal, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

It will, yes, when we get there. It's all consequential.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

All in favour of amendment LIB-3?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Does clause 59 carry with those three amendments?

(Clause 59 as amended agreed to)

Now we have another big stretch here, with clauses 60 to 79. If I don't hear anything, we're going to pass those.

[A voice]

Yes, to clause 79.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

(Clauses 60 to 79 inclusive agreed to)

(On clause 80)

We have amendment NDP-8.

Go ahead, Ms. Ramsey.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

What we're doing here is bringing the level back to $600,000—

[A voice]

It's $600 million.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

Yes, $600 million. Pardon me.

Thank you, Gerry.

If we go to $1.5 billion, then all countries that we have most favoured nation status with will enjoy that as well. Once we enter into it, other countries like China and the U.S., under our most favoured nation status, will be able to access at that level. That's the way we're looking at that language.

[Steve Verheul]

No. Those countries with which we have free trade agreements that include investment provisions will also be able to benefit from this change. It won't be provided across the board to all countries with which we have MFN relations.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

All in favour of amendment NDP-8?

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Clause 80 agreed to)

We have no amendments between clauses 81 and 135.

Go ahead, Ms. Ramsey.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

I want to go to page 73, to the Coasting Trade Act.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Where do you want us to go?

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

It's on page 74, clause 91, under the Coasting Trade Act.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Can we just finish up these other clauses?