Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Issue 9 - Minutes of Proceedings
OTTAWA, Tuesday, December 12, 2006
(21)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 6:05 p.m. in camera in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Hugh Segal, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin, Dawson, De Bané, P.C., Di Nino, Downe, Mahovlich, Segal and Stollery (9).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch: Peter Berg and Allison Goody, Analysts.
Pursuant to the order of reference passed by the Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, the committee continued to study the development and security challenges facing Africa; the response of the international community to enhance that continent's development and political stability; Canadian foreign policy as it relates to Africa, and other related matters. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see Issue No. 1, Tuesday, May 16, 2006.)
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee considered a draft report.
It was agreed that senators' staff be authorized to sit in on the meeting.
The committee examined a draft report.
At 6:35 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 13, 2006
(22)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 2:35 p.m. in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Hugh Segal, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Corbin, Dawson, Di Nino, Downe, Eyton, Mahovlich, Mitchell, Segal and Stollery (10).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Merchant and Tkachuk (2).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch: Peter Berg and Elizabeth Kuruvila, Analysts.
In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference passed by the Senate on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, the committee undertook to study Bill C-24, an act to impose a charge on the export of certain softwood lumber products to the United States and a charge on refunds of certain duty deposits paid to the United States, to authorize certain payments, to amend the Export and Import Permits Act and to amend other acts as a consequence.
APPEARING:
The Honourable David Emerson, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Trade;
Helena Guergis, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade.
WITNESSES:
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada:
Andrea Lyon, Chief Trade Negotiator (North America);
Stephen de Boer, Director, Softwood Lumber;
Carl Hartill, Deputy Director, Softwood Lumber;
John Clifford, Counsel, Trade Law Bureau;
Michael Solursh, Counsel, Trade Law Bureau.
The Chair made a statement.
The minister made a presentation and, along with Mr. Clifford, answered questions.
It was agreed that the committee proceed with the clause-by-clause study of Bill C-24, an act to impose a charge on the export of certain softwood lumber products to the United States and a charge on refunds of certain duty deposits paid to the United States, to authorize certain payments, to amend the Export and Import Permits Act and to amend other acts as a consequence.
With leave of the committee, it was agreed to group the clauses.
It was agreed, on division, that the title and clause 1 be reported.
It was agreed, on division, that clauses 2 through 9 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that clauses 10 through 17 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that clause 18 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that clauses 19 through 63 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that clauses 64 through 98 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that clauses 99 through 103 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that clauses 104 through 108 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that clauses 109 through 126 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that Schedule I carry.
It was agreed, on division, that clause 1 carry.
It was agreed, on division, that the title carry.
The Honourable Senator Mitchell moved that the following observations be appended to the report:
In reviewing Bill C-24, the Committee is concerned that the Bill and agreement that it enacts either create or exacerbate a number of softwood lumber trade issues including:
1) That some $1.0 billion has been left in the U.S., some $500 million of which can be used by the industry there to compete with Canadian industry;
2) That there are no guarantees that this agreement will last beyond two years;
3)That this agreement may in future limit the support that the Canadian federal and provincial governments can give to the Canadian lumber industry;
4) That many jobs and small, rural communities in Canada may be in jeopardy, because of this agreement;
5) That this agreement sets a dangerous precedent in circumventing the NAFTA dispute resolution process, thereby potentially weakening NAFTA.
These are amongst the issues that the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee will continue to monitor. The committee plans to continue its comprehensive review of the agreement in 2007.
The question being put on the motion, it was adopted by the following count:
YEAS: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Dawson, Downe, Mahovlich, Mitchell and Stollery: 6;
NAYS: The Honourable Senators Andreychuk, Di Nino, Eyton and Segal.. 4.
It was agreed, on division, that Bill C-24 carry.
It was agreed that the Chair report the bill to the Senate along with observations.
At 3:39 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
OTTAWA, Wednesday, December 13, 2006
(23)
[Translation]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day in camera at 4 p.m. in room 160-S of the Centre Block, the Chair, the Honourable Hugh Segal, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Corbin, Dawson, Di Nino, Downe, Mahovlich, Merchant, Segal and Stollery (8).
Also present: From the Parliamentary Research Branch: Peter Berg and Allison Goody, Analysts.
Pursuant to the order of reference passed by the Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, the committee continued to study the development and security challenges facing Africa; the response of the international community to enhance that continent's development and political stability; Canadian foreign policy as it relates to Africa; and other related matters. (For the complete text of the order of reference, see Issue No. 1, Tuesday, May 16, 2006.)
Pursuant to rule 92(2)(f), the committee considered a draft report.
It was agrred that senators' staff be authorized to sit in on the meeting.
The committee examined a draft report.
At 5:14 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
ATTEST:
François Michaud
Clerk of the Committee