International Trade Committee on July 21st, 2017

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Okay.

Do you have one quick comment, Mr. Hoback?

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Again, I'll just make one more pitch to the Liberals here. I remind you that the Prime Minister is on the record that he would provide these three ministers to consult with the opposition parties. He's on the record in the media stating that, so we would like him to come good and clean on that. The other thing is that the TPP is the basis for a lot of negotiations that could happen with NAFTA. The Minister of Foreign Affairs would not be as privy to that information first-hand as the Minister of International Trade would be; thus we have requested that the Minister of International Trade appear given the Mexico angle. Anything to do with the Pacific Alliance or the TPP would be in the Minister of International Trade's portfolio, which is the reason for him to be here.

I'm not asking him to come here just because it will be a nice day and that he and the Minister of Finance should therefore be in Ottawa. I'm asking because we have serious, legitimate questions that we feel they would be the best people to ask. I talked about the border adjustment tax and excise taxes and the de minimis issue, which are finance related questions. That's why the Minister of Finance should be here to answer those types of questions. I'm not saying that the Minister of Foreign Affairs isn't capable of doing her job. I'm not saying that at all. I think she's been working with us relatively well. I'm just looking for a little bit more leeway to get some questions answered in some of these other areas that would not be her expertise. It is a custom and tradition at this committee that the officials stay that second hour to answer whatever questions that may come from the committee members on all sides on the process and procedures and details that the ministers would not be obviously aware of. I don't think I'm making an unreasonable request. I'm just asking for some goodwill on the other side to do the right thing and bring them all here.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Okay.

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Mr. Chair, I am listening to Mr. Hoback. Luckily for us, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is responsible for NAFTA was also the Minister of International Trade prior to her new portfolio and would have that deep knowledge around the TPP that you're requesting.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I remind you that a lot of things have changed in the TPP since the U.S. pulled out of it. So, no, she wouldn't have the relevant information since the changes that have been made. Again, I'm not making an unreasonable request. I think it's a very reasonable request, but the ball is in your court, as you have the majority of the committee. We recognize that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

There aren't any more comments from the Liberals, so I'll bring this to a vote.

Do you want a recorded vote or just by a show of hands?

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Just by hands.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

All in favour?

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

What are we voting on?

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

It's the motion by Mr. Fonseca.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

As is.

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Ms. Ramsey, you have the floor again if you want it.

But first, if I may say, we have to have unanimous consent to entertain this motion.

I don't hear any nays, so go ahead.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

I'm asking that the committee entertain this motion, which basically expands the previous motion to include not only the ministers we just discussed, but also the Prime Minister who offered publicly to come to meet the opposition parties. I think it is important to have the Prime Minister come here. Canadians would like to see the Prime Minister come. They'd like him to come and provide what we're hearing from the U.S., namely, the priorities. We have received 18 pages of priorities from the U.S. and Canadians are left wondering what our priorities are and what we are going to do with this. I was very pleased when the Prime Minister said what he did to the media. So I would really strongly recommend that we take him up on his offer and at his word and have him come before the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Are there any more comments on this motion?

(Motion negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Is there any more discussion or updates?

Go ahead, Mr. Hoback.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

In light of Mr. Fonseca's motion being passed, is it fair to say that you're only offering the minister and the officials for an hour? Are we going to have the officials for the second hour?

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

For two hours, Mr. Hoback.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Two hours.

[Peter Fonseca, Liberal, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

It will be the minister for the first hour and then the officials for the second hour.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

I think the other ministers have been asked, so if something happens we'll let you know.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Chair, can I just make a comment on that?

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Go ahead.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

If that should happen and the ministers feel that they're willing to come, we would accept them here.

[An hon. member]

Absolutely.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

So if they have a change of heart and want to be here, we would include them here.