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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on 
Foreign Affairs

Issue 1 - Minutes of Proceedings


OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 4, 2004
(1)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 4:02 p.m., in room 356-S, Centre Block, for the purpose of organization, pursuant to rule 88.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin, Di Nino, Grafstein, Graham, P.C., Sparrow and Stollery (7).

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

The committee proceeded to organize pursuant to rule 88.

The Clerk of the Committee presided over the election of the Chair.

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved, that the Honourable Senator Stollery be Chair of the Committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Stollery took the Chair.

The Honourable Senator Corbin moved, that the Honourable Senator Di Nino be Deputy Chair of the Committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved:

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be composed of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and the Honourable Senator Corbin; and

That the subcommittee be empowered to make decisions on behalf of the committee with respect to its agenda, to invite witnesses and schedule hearings.

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Graham, P.C. moved, that the committee print its proceedings and that the Chair be authorized to adjust this number to meet demand.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Corbin moved, that pursuant to rule 89, the Chair be authorized to hold meetings, to receive and authorize the printing of the evidence when a quorum is not present, provided that a member of the committee from both the government and the opposition are present.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, that the committee adopt the first report, prepared in accordance with Rule 104.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Graham, P.C. moved:

That the Committee ask the Library of Parliament to assign research staff to the committee;

That the Chair be authorized to seek authority from the Senate to engage the services of such counsel and technical, clerical and other personnel as may be necessary for the purpose of the committee's examination and consideration of such bills, subject-matters of bills and estimates as are referred to it;

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to retain the services of such experts as may be required by the work of the committee; and

That the Chair, on behalf of the committee, direct the research staff in the preparation of studies, analyses, summaries and draft reports.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved:

That, pursuant to section 32 of the Financial Administration Act, authority to commit funds be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair and the Clerk of the Committee; and

That, pursuant to section 34 of the Financial Administration Act, and Guideline 3:05 of Appendix II of the Rules of the Senate, authority for certifying accounts payable by the committee be conferred individually on the Chair, the Deputy Chair and the Clerk of the Committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Corbin moved, that the committee empower the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure to designate, as required, one or more members of the committee and/or such staff as may be necessary to travel on assignment on behalf of the committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Graham, P.C. moved, that the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be authorized to:

1) determine whether any member of the committee is on "official business" for the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(a) of the Senators Attendance Policy, published in the Journals of the Senate on Wednesday, June 3, 1998; and

2) consider any member of the Committee to be on "official business" if that member is: (a) attending a function, event or meeting related to the work of the committee; or (b) making a presentation related to the work of the committee.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, that, pursuant to the Senate guidelines for witness expenses, the committee may reimburse reasonable travelling and living expenses for one witness from any one organization and payment will take place upon application, but that the Chair be authorized to approve expenses for a second witness should there be exceptional circumstances.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Andreychuk moved:

That the Chair be authorized to seek permission from the Senate to permit coverage by electronic media of its public proceedings with the least possible disruption of its hearings; and

That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be empowered to allow such coverage at its discretion.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The committee discussed future business.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, that the Chair request an Order of Reference from the Senate authorizing the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs to examine and report on the Canada — United States of America trade relationship and on the Canada — Mexico trade relationship, with special attention to: a) the Free Trade Agreement of 1988; b) the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1992; c) secure access for Canadian goods and services to the United States and to Mexico, and d) the development of effective dispute settlement mechanisms, all in the context of Canada's economic links with the countries of the Americas and the Doha Round of World Trade Organisation trade negotiations;

That the papers and evidence received and taken during the Second Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament be referred to the committee; and

That the committee shall present its final report no later than June 30, 2004, and that the committee shall retain all powers necessary to publicize the findings of the committee as set forth in its final report until July 31, 2004.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The Honourable Senator Di Nino moved, that the Chair request an Order of Reference from the Senate authorizing the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, in accordance with rule 86(1)(h), to examine such issues as may arise from time to time relating to Foreign relations generally; and

That the committee report to the Senate no later than July 31, 2004.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 4:25 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:


OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 10, 2004
(2)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 5:23 p.m. in camera, pursuant to Senate rule 92(2)(e), in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Peter A. Stollery, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Carney, P.C., Corbin, Di Nino, Graham, P.C., Grafstein, Mahovlich, Poy, Sparrow and Stollery (10).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Day (1).

In accordance with the order of reference passed by the Senate on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, the committee undertook its examination of the Canada-United States trade relationship and the Canada-Mexico trade relationship, with special attention to: a) the Free Trade Agreement of 1988; b) the North American Free Trade Agreement of 1992; c) secure access for Canadian goods and services to the United States and Mexico; and d) the development of effective dispute settlement mechanisms, all in the context of Canada's economic links with the countries of the Americas and the Doha Round of World Trade Organisation trade negotiations.

The committee proceeded to consider its future business.

It is moved by the Honourable Senator Grafstein:

That the committee approve the proposed budget for its examination of the Canada-United States trade relationship and the Canada-Mexico trade relationship and that the Chair table said budget to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration for approval:

Professional and other services   

 $ 25,750

Transportation and communications   

 $ 72,450

Other expenditures   

 $ 6,000

TOTAL   

 $ 104,200

After debate, the motion was adopted.

At 5:39 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:


OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 17, 2004
(3)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 5:20 p.m., in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Peter A. Stollery, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Carney, P.C., Corbin, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Graham, P.C., Mahovlich, Poy, Sparrow and Stollery (9).

Also present: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg and Michael Holden, Analysts.

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

In accordance with the order of reference passed by the Senate on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 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 effective dispute resolution mechanisms, all in the context of Canada's economic relations with countries of the Americas and the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of trade negotiations.

WITNESSES:

From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade:

Marc Lortie, Assistant Deputy Minister (Americas);

Andrea Lyon, Director General, Trade Policy, General Trade Policy Bureau;

Graeme Clark, Director, Mexico Division.

From Export Development Canada:

Marvin K. Hough, Regional Vice-President, Latin America.

Mr. Lortie and Ms. Lyon made a presentation and, assisted by Mr. Clark, answered questions.

Mr. Hough made a presentation and answered questions.

At 7:00 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:


OTTAWA, Tuesday, February 24, 2004
(4)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 6:04 p.m., in Room 356-S of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Peter A. Stollery, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Eyton, Grafstein, Graham, P.C., Mahovlich, Poy, Sparrow and Stollery (11).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Day (1).

Also present: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg and Michael Holden, Analysts.

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

In accordance with the order of reference passed by the Senate on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 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 effective dispute resolution mechanisms, all in the context of Canada's economic relations with countries of the Americas and the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of trade negotiations.

WITNESSES:

From the NAFTA Office of Mexico in Canada:

Carlos Piñera González, Chief Representative.

From the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters:

Robert Armstrong, President and CEO.

From the Canadian Council for the Americas:

David Winfield, Chairman.

Mr. Piñera made a presentation and answered questions.

At 6:51 p.m., the committee suspended its proceedings.

At 6:53 p.m., the committee resumed sitting.

Messrs. Armstrong and Winfield made presentations and answered questions.

At 7:59 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:


OTTAWA, Wednesday, February 25, 2004
(5)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 4:12 p.m., in room 257 of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Peter A. Stollery, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Eyton, Grafstein, Graham, P.C., Mahovlich, Poy, Sparrow and Stollery (10).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Day (1).

Also present: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Michael Holden, Analyst.

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

In accordance with the order of reference passed by the Senate on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 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 effective dispute resolution mechanisms, all in the context of Canada's economic relations with countries of the Americas and the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of trade negotiations.

WITNESSES:

From the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace:

Sandra Polaski, Senior Associate and Project Director, Trade Equity and Development Project.

From the World Bank, Office of the Chief Economist of the Latin American and Caribbean Region:

Luis Servén, Lead Specialist Regional Studies;

William Maloney, Lead Economist.

From the Canadian Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL):

Donald Mackay, Executive Director;

Paul Haslam, Senior Analyst.

Ms. Polaski, and Messrs. Servén and Maloney made presentations and answered questions via teleconferencing.

At 5:26 p.m., the committee suspended its proceedings.

At 5:31 p.m., the committee resumed sitting.

Mr. Mackay made a presentation and, assisted by Mr. Haslam, answered questions.

It is moved by the Honourable Senator Grafstein:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs approve the proposed legislative budget and that the Chair submit said budget to the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration, for approval:

Professional and other services   

 $ 1,750

Transportation and communications   

 $ 750

Other expenditures   

 $ 750

Total   

 $ 3,250

At 6:46 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

François Michaud

Clerk of the Committee


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