Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs
Issue 9 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 25, 2003
(17)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 5:12 p.m. in camera, pursuant to rule 92(2)(e) and(f) in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Peter A. Stollery, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Corbin, Day, Di Nino, Grafstein, Graham, P.C., Setlakwe and Stollery (9).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg and Michael Holden, Research Officers; and from the office of the Honourable Peter A. Stollery: David Murphy.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference passed by the Senate on Thursday November 21, 2002, the committee continued its examination of the Canada-United States of America trade relationship and the Canada-Mexico trade relationship, with particular emphasis on: a) the 1988 Free Trade Agreement; b) the 1992 North American Free Trade Agreement; c) secure access for Canadian goods and services to the United States of America and Mexico; and d) the development of dispute resolution mechanisms, all in the context of Canada's economic relations with the countries of the Americas and the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of trade negotiations.
It was agreed — That the committee approve the proposed legislative budget and that the Chair table said budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for approval:
| Professional and special services | $3,500 |
| Transportation and communications | 750 |
| Other expenditures | 750 |
| TOTAL | $5,000 |
And the question being put on the motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was agreed — That the committee approve the proposed budget for its examination of the Canada-United States of America trade relationship and of the Canada-Mexico trade relationship and that the Chair submit said budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for approval:
| Professional and special services | $ 58,750 |
| Transportation and communications | 149,750 |
| Other expenditures | 85,500 |
| TOTAL | $294,000 |
The motion was amended to read as follows:
That the committee approve the proposed budget for its examination of the Canada-United States of America trade relationship and the Canada-Mexico trade relationship and that the Chair submit said budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for approval:
| Professional and special services | $ 58,750 |
| Transportation and communications | 149,750 |
| Other expenditures | 91,500 |
| TOTAL | $300,000 |
And the question being put on the amended motion, it was resolved in the affirmative.
It was agreed — That the list of prospective witnesses compiled by the Library of Parliament be amended as per senators' suggestions and that the clerk use the amended list to contact witnesses.
It was agreed — That the committee travel to Washington and to Mexico from April 7 to April 11, 2003 (inclusively), spending a total of 2.5 days in Washington and 1.5 days in Mexico, subject to the approval by the Senate of the above-mentioned budget.
It was agreed — Thatif at all possible, the committee report by the end of May 2003.
It was agreed — That the clerk draw up a marketing plan for the report.
The committee discussed a visit by a delegation of Russian dignitaries scheduled for the week of March 17, 2003. It was agreed — That members of the committee meet with this delegation, possibly on an informal basis.
The committee discussed an upcoming visit by the Canadian ambassador to Ecuador on March 23, 2003. It was agreed — That members of the committee meet with this official, possibly on an informal basis.
At 6:12 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 26, 2003
(18)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 3:48 p.m. in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chairman, the Honourable Peter A. Stollery, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Austin, P.C., Corbin, Day, Di Nino, Grafstein, Graham, P.C., Mahovlich and Stollery (9).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg, Research Officer; and from the office of the Honourable Peter A. Stollery: David Murphy.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the Order of Reference passed by the Senate on Thursday November 21, 2002, the committee continued its examination of the Canada-United States of America trade relationship and the Canada-Mexico trade relationship, with particular emphasis on: a) the 1988 Free Trade Agreement; b) the 1992 North American Free Trade Agreement; c) secure access for Canadian goods and services to the United States of America and to Mexico; and d) the development of effective dispute resolution mechanisms, all in the context of Canada's economic relations with the countries of the Americas and the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of trade negotiations.
WITNESSES:
As individuals:
Mr. Armand de Mestral, Professor, Faculty of Law, McGill University;
Mr. Richard Ouellet, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Laval University;
Mr. Steven Shrybman, Lawyer, Sack Goldblatt Mitchell.
Professor de Mestral made a presentation and answered questions.
Professor Ouellet made a presentation and answered questions.
Mr. Shrybman made a presentation and answered questions.
At 5:32 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
François Michaud
Clerk of the Committee