THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, June 10, 2026
(40)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met this day at 4:15 p.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, Ataullahjan, Boehm, Coyle, Gignac, Harder, P.C., Hébert, MacDonald, Ravalia, Wilson and Woo (11).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Busson (1).
Participating in the meeting: Brian Hermon, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, September 25, 2025, the committee continued its study of foreign relations and international trade generally. (Topic: CUSMA and Canada's trade relationships with the United States and Mexico)
WITNESSES:
Canadian Federation of Independent Business:
Michelle Auger, Director, Trade and Marketplace Competitiveness;
Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President, Advocacy (by videoconference).
Canadian Pork Council:
Stephen Heckbert, Executive Director;
René Roy, Chair (by videoconference).
Associated Equipment Distributors:
Brian Osterndorff, At-Large Director.
Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association:
Sandra Wood, Executive Director.
Canadian Construction Association:
Louis-Philippe Champagne, Associate Vice-President, Public Affairs and Industry Practices.
Michelle Auger and René Roy each made a statement and, together with Corrine Pohlmann and Stephen Heckbert, answered questions.
At 5:13 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:18 p.m., the committee resumed.
Brian Osterndorff, Sandra Wood and Louis-Philippe Champagne each made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:10 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Chantal Cardinal
Clerk of the Committee