International Trade Committee on Nov. 24th, 2025

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

The motion is proposing a study on trade diversification with North and West Africa.

That, pursuant to its mandate to promote Canada’s international trade interests, the committee undertake a study on opportunities to diversify Canada’s trade with North and West Africa, in order to capitalize on the regions’ economic momentum, strengthen Canada’s presence on the African continent, and leverage the Francophonie as a strategic channel to expand trade and partnerships.

That the study examine, among other topics:

a) high-potential sectors for Canadian businesses, including SMEs;

b) existing and potential trade tools, including export financing, trade facilitation, and reduction of non-tariff barriers;

c) partnership and innovation opportunities between Canada, the provinces, and regional African organizations;

d) sustainability, governance, and inclusion considerations to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes;

e) Canada’s role in supporting regional value chains and industrial co-production;

f) opportunities within the Francophonie to facilitate trade, including institutional cooperation, business and innovation networks, mutual recognition of standards, and mobility of talent.

That the committee hold up to four (4) meetings, invite witnesses from government, industry, academia, and civil society in Canada and the regions concerned, and report its findings and recommendations to the House of Commons.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

I am finished. I have it in French and English.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Are you just tabling it with the committee?

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Then we will deal with it at some other point. You're not moving it; you're just tabling it.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

For future reference, Chair, I'm happy to let the member table it, but I believe we had a motion on the floor, and that's not a proper point to table another motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

I was interrupted.

Mr. Mantle, I'm not sure where we are. Are we still in discussion, or have we been able to find a way?

[Yasir Naqvi, Liberal, Ottawa Centre, ON]

I think we have an understanding amongst all three parties.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

I think we have reached an agreement. I'm happy to provide what I think the content of that agreement is orally. We did not have a chance to write it down, Madam Chair, but if it's acceptable to the committee, then I would withdraw my original motion.

Before doing that, I would seek agreement from the committee on the other motion to bring forward, which would be as follows:

That the committee direct the chair to draft a letter requesting the Minister of Industry to appear before committee on its study of Canada and the forthcoming CUSMA review, consistent with the motion the committee previously adopted on Thursday, September 18, 2025;

That the minister be asked to respond by noon on December 4, 2025;

That, if the minister fails to respond or responds that she will not appear—

—the committee would automatically report to the House the text of the motion I moved and is on the record now, and that would be reported to the House on December 4, as well.

Did I capture that correctly?

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Is everybody okay with that?

Whoever communicates with the minister, we must see that happens very quickly.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

I believe that would be you, as the chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

It will be communicated.

We are now at 5:22 and we have to go back to Mr. Chambers.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I'm sorry, we had too many motions on the floor at once.

My understanding is that the original motion has not yet been officially amended by my Bloc colleague, but I would be willing to accept those amendments, subject to revision that would reduce the language to make it more palatable for my Liberal colleagues, as I explained or read into the record last meeting.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Did you revise the original?

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I provided what I would be willing to accept as amendments.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

You should read it into the record.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

I did that last meeting, but I can do that again.

[Jacob Mantle, Conservative, York—Durham, ON]

While Mr. Chambers does that, Madam Chair, I just want to make sure that what we put forward as agreement is minuted in the committee's record of this meeting.

I know sometimes there's discussion of whether the transcript is sufficient, but I just want to make sure that it's minuted.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

It's good that you ask to make sure that it's reflected in there.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Okay, for the second or third time, “That the committee report to the House that it condemns the unjustified American tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and softwood lumber industries, and that it call upon the government to live up to the promise it made in the election to “negotiate a win”, and that all parties wish to see the government succeed in getting a good deal for Canada and its workers.”

This is exactly what I read at the last meeting, which is also what I communicated to all members of the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Could you read that last line again?

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Yes. I don't want to forward via personal....

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Can you make sure the committee has it or hears it?

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Sure.