Evidence of meeting #73 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 officials.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
So we don't have confirmation yet of who our chief negotiator is?
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
I know it's important, but we're getting into the weeds and I'd just like to deal with this motion first—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
—because it looks like we're working on something. We are a committee that works well together. We've worked well together on this file right from the get-go and this is an important meeting that will move us forward. I like where we're going here, so if we could get some consensus on this motion, then we could move forward on other motions.
Mr. Fonseca, are you willing to have something added to your motion?
NDP
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
I just want to ask if you can consult with the clerk. Can we amend this motion as is and then move forward with that amendment, because I think there are amendments being proposed? Is that something we can do? Can you consult with the clerk?
Liberal
Peter Fonseca Liberal Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
Chair, I believe the motion as is provides the broad latitude to have the minister come in to inform this committee. It opens it up to the officials, as we just heard, in terms of who would be the negotiators, etc. I respect the judgment of the minister, that she would look to bring in those who would best inform this committee and provide us with all the information we're looking for.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
So you're telling me you're not willing to entertain any amendments to your motion and that's the way this is? Has it come down from the PMO that this is it?
Liberal
Peter Fonseca Liberal Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
I think we're talking about a quite narrow window. We're looking at the minister coming in on August 14, and two days later they're starting the first round of negotiations in Washington, D.C. At this time I think it would be prudent for us to bring in the minister. The minister is open to coming in and informing us and addressing the committee, as well as with officials. I think it would be the right way to start to do this with the lead minister on the NAFTA file, as we know.
Liberal
Andrew Leslie Liberal Orléans, ON
If I may, Mr. Chair, just as a reminder to all of us, the Minister of International Trade does not actually have specific responsibilities for NAFTA. That resides with the Minister of Global Affairs.
There may well be scheduling conflicts with other appropriate ministers. The lead minister is the Minister of Global Affairs who has been very much seized with this issue, and I'm sure the professional civil servants she'll bring with her will be able to adequately answer your questions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
Are there any more comments before we bring this to a vote?
Go ahead, Madam Ramsey.
NDP
Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON
I would just like to say that I support the other ministers' coming as well. This trade agreement touches nearly every portfolio. To be honest, we could invite the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Science, Innovation and Economic Development. Every single portfolio is going to be impacted by this, and so the NDP supports expanding it to include the couple of ministers who are being proposed. We feel it's important that they come to talk about their priorities as well.
Liberal
Liberal
Peter Fonseca Liberal Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON
The minister has the breadth of knowledge. At cabinet I'm sure that many of these issues have been discussed and the minister will be able to inform the committee, be it on something that touches agriculture through NAFTA, or finance through NAFTA. The minister will have that knowledge and the appropriate officials—and it's good that it's been brought up—to take that deep dive if that's what you're looking for.