THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, April 16, 2026
(29)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 10:30 a.m., in room C128, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Peter M. Boehm, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Adler, Al Zaibak, Boehm, Busson, Gerba, Harder, P.C., Hébert, MacDonald, Wilson, Woo and Youance (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Cardozo, Petten and Pupatello (3).
Participating in the meeting: Brian Hermon and Zak Black, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the committee continued its examination of Bill C-13, An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Trade.
WITNESSES:
Global Affairs Canada:
Aaron Fowler, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade Branch and Chief Trade Negotiator;
Darren Smith, Executive Director, Indo-Pacific Trade Policy Division.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:
Matthew Smith, Chief Agriculture Negotiator and Director General, Trade Agreements and Negotiations;
Axel Ndayisaba, Director, Trade Negotiations Division.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency:
Evan Lewis, Director, Trade Agreements.
The minister made a statement and, together with Aaron Fowler, answered questions.
At 11:32 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:40 a.m., the committee resumed.
Aaron Fowler, Darren Smith and Evan Lewis answered questions.
At 12:20 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Chantal Cardinal
Clerk of the Committee