QUESTION PERIOD — International Trade
Advisory Committee on Canada–U.S. Economic Relations
April 28, 2026
Senator Moreau, last week, the Prime Minister appointed a new Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations. This impressive roster of Canadians is drawn from a breadth of economic sectors but for one glaring omission: Canada’s technology and digital economy.
This oversight raises serious questions about whether negotiators will be receiving the expertise and insights they need as Canada’s sovereignty, trade and prosperity are increasingly undermined by cross-border data flows and digital services. Specifically, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement’s Chapter 19 on digital trade simply entrenched the dominance of U.S. tech companies. This contrasts sharply with our increasing focus on digital sovereignty.
Will the government explain why Canada’s technology sector was excluded from this advisory body, and will it commit to adding technology leaders to ensure the committee reflects the realities of the modern economy?
Thank you. Respectfully, I do not think that we will have to explain that because, yesterday, Minister LeBlanc chaired the inaugural meeting of the new Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations, during which he announced the appointment of one additional member to the advisory committee, Mr. Eliot Pence, a Canadian entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Dominion Dynamics, a defence technology firm.
As we establish a new economic and security relationship with the United States, the Government of Canada has established a number of mechanisms to consult regularly with industry, labour, provincial and territorial governments, and elected officials from all parties.
High-tech is one of the concerns, and that is the reason why Minister LeBlanc announced this appointment just yesterday.
Thank you, Senator Moreau, for that. I did not notice that announcement. That is great news.
I would offer, not as a question, but as a statement, that in Ottawa, technology is not a forethought; it is an afterthought. We have to really be concerned about that at this time. I point to Senator Hay’s great session this morning and the other work she has done. We need to give consideration to that. Thank you, sir.
I take your comments very seriously, and it seems that the government is taking them very seriously as well. My understanding is that Mr. Pence is a very reliable resource as far as technology is concerned.
