THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, March 10, 2020
(2)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 3:31 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Leo Housakos, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Ataullahjan, Boehm, Bovey, Cordy, Coyle, Dawson, Dean, Greene, Housakos, MacDonald, Massicotte and Ngo (12).

Other senator present: The Honourable Senator Harder, P.C. (1).

In attendance: Brian Hermon and Simon Richards, Analysts, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament.

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 20, 2020, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter of Bill C-4, An Act to implement the Agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States.

WITNESSES:

As individuals:

Dan Ciuriak, Director, Ciuriak Consulting; Fellow in Residence, C.D. Howe Institute; and Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation;

Lawrence L. Herman, Counsel, Herman & Associates (by video conference).

Canadian Global Affairs Institute:

Colin Robertson, Vice-President and Fellow.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce:

Mark Agnew, Senior Director, International Policy.

Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters:

Chad Swance, Member of the Board of Directors.

Council of Canadians:

Sujata Dey, Trade Campaigner (by video conference).

The chair made a statement.

Mr. Ciuriak, Mr. Herman and Mr. Robertson each made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:21 p.m., the deputy chair, the Honourable Senator Massicotte, took the chair.

At 4:28 p.m., the committee suspended.

At 4:32 p.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Agnew, Mr. Swance and Ms. Dey each made a statement and answered questions.

At 5:09 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Gaëtane Lemay

Clerk of the Committee