MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1997
(Meeting No. 67)
(Meeting No. 67)
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 9:08 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Stéphane Bergeron, Hon. Michel Dupuy, John English, Jesse Flis, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Philippe Paré, Charlie Penson, Benoît Sauvageau and Bob Speller.
Acting Members present: Ron MacDonald for Francis G. LeBlanc; Geoff Regan for Eleni Bakopanos; Robert Nault for Francis G. LeBlanc; Harold Culbert for Sarkis Assadourian; and Andy Scott for Eleni Bakopanos.
Other Member present: Osvaldo Nunez.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Daniel Dupras, Researcher. From the Committees and Parliamentary Associations Directorate: Susanne Verville and Paulette Nadeau, Legislative Clerks.
Appearing: The Honourable Art Eggleton Minister for International Trade.
Witnesses: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Claude Carrière, Director, Tarriffs and Market Access Division; Dan Daley, Associate Counsel, Trade Law Division. From the Privy Council Office: Keith Christie, Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Lead Negotiator, Canadian Delegation on Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement. From the Canadian Federation of Agriculture: Jack Wilkinson, President. From Prairie Pools: Gordon Pugh, Manager, National Affairs. From the Canadian Steel Producers Association: Jean Van Loon, President; and Derek M. de Korte, Manager, Marketing, Algoma Steel Inc.. From the Canada-Chile Chamber of Commerce: Honourable Marc Lalonde, Chairman of the Board; and José Duran, President. From the Alliance of Manufacturers & Exporters Canada: Mark Drake, Senior Vice-President; and James Moore, Policy. From General Electric Canada: Bob Weese, Vice-President, Government and External Relations; and John Wilson, Consultant, Government Relations. From the Department of Justice: Dan Hermosa, Legal Counsel.
The Order of Reference dated Friday, February 14, 1997 being read as follows:
ORDERED,--That Bill C-81, An Act to implement the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement and related agreements be now read a second time and referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), consideration of the Preamble and Clause 1 was postponed.
On Clause 2.
The Honourable Art Eggleton made a statement and, with the departmental offficials, answered questions.
Jack Wilkinson, Gordon Pugh, Jean Van Loon, the Honourable Marc Lalonde, José Duran, Mark Drake, Bob Weese and John Wilkinson each made statements and, with the other witnesses and the departmental officials, answered questions.
It was agreed,--That the Committee proceed to the clause by clause consideration of Bill C-81 on Monday, March 3, 1997.
At 12:15 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1997
(Meeting No. 68)
(Meeting No. 68)
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 3:36 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Hon. Michel Dupuy, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Philippe Paré, Benoît Sauvageau and Bob Speller.
Acting Members present: Bob Ringma for Charlie Penson; Georgette Sheridan for Eleni Bakopanos; John Richardson for John English; Ron MacDonald for Francis G. LeBlanc.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Daniel Dupras, Researcher. From the Committees and Parliamentary Associations Directorate: Suzanne Verville and Paulette Nadeau, Legislative Clerks.
Witnesses: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Claude Carrière, Director, Tarriffs and Market Access Division; Dan Daley, Associate Counsel, Trade Law Division. From the Privy Council Office: Keith Christie, Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations.
The Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-81, An Act to implement the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement and related Agreements (See Minutes of Proceedings of Thursday, February 20, 1997, Issue No. 11, Meeting No. 67).
The officials answered questions.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 2 to 10 carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 11 to 20 carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 21 to 30 carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 31 to 40 carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 41 to 50 carried.
On Clause 51
Ron MacDonald moved,--That Clause 51 be amended by striking out lines 24 to 31, on page 32, and substituting the following therefor:
``(i) effective on January 1, 1998, to 83.4% of the rate set out in the column ``Chile Tariff'',
(ii) effective on January 1, 1999, to 66.7% of the rate set out in the column ``Chile Tariff'',
(iii) effective on January 1, 2000, to 50% of the rate set out in the column"
After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.
Clause 51, as amended, carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 52 to 60 carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 61 to 70 carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 71 to 80 carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 81 to 88 carried.
On Clause 89
Bob Speller moved, -That Clause 89 be amended by striking out lines 23 to 28, on page 63, and substituting the following therefor:
``or class of goods from the application of this Act.
(2) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, make regulations exempting any goods or class of goods of Chile from the application of this Act or any of its provisions. The exemption may be in respect of the dumping of those goods or that class.
(3) Regulations made under subsection (2)''
After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.
Clause 89, as amended, carried.
By unanimous consent, Clauses 90 to 95 carried.
The Schedule carried.
Clause 1 carried.
The Preamble carried.
The Title carried.
The Bill, as amended, carried.
Ordered,--That the Chair report the Bill, as amended, to the House.
At 4:30 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1997
(Meeting No. 69)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
(Meeting No. 69)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 9:40 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Eleni Bakopanos, Stéphane Bergeron, Hon. Michel Dupuy, John English, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Bob Mills, Philippe Paré and Benoît Sauvageau.
Associate Member present: Maud Debien.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.
Witnesses: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Jill Sinclair, Director, Non-Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament Division; Anthony Burger, Director, North-American and Euro-Atlantic Security and Defence Relations Division; Lorne Green, Director, Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Implementation Agency; Peter McRae, Director, Legal Operations Division. From the Department of National Defence: Louise Bellefeuille-Prégent, Director, Nuclear and Arms Control Policy; George Betts, Senior Policy Planner.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its examination of Canadian policy on nuclear non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament.
Jill Sinclair, Anthony Burger and Louise Bellefeuille each made a statement and, with the other witnesses, answered questions.
At 10:48 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1997
(Meeting No. 70)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
(Meeting No. 70)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 9:17 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Vice-Chair, Stéphane Bergeron, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Stéphane Bergeron, Hon. Michel Dupuy, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Bob Mills, Philippe Paré, Charlie Penson, Benoît Sauvageau and Bob Speller.
Acting Member present: Ron MacDonald for John English.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.
Witnesses: From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Michael Leir, Director General, United States Bureau; Claude Carrière, Director, Tariffs and Market Access Division. From the Canadian Steel Producers Association: Jean Van Loon, President. From the Dairy Farmers of Canada: Claude Rivard, President, FPLQ. From the Canadian Federation of Agriculture: Don Kinnear, Trade Policy Representative (and past president). From the Canadian Labour Congress: Andrew Jackson, Senior Economist. From the Canadian Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL): Hal Klepak, Director of Governance and Securities Programs; From Prairie Pools: Gordon Pugh, Manager, National Affairs.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its examination of issues related to Canada-United-States relations.
Michael Leir made a statement and, with Claude Carrière, answered questions.
At 9:35 o'clock a.m., the Chair, Bill Graham, took the Chair.
At 10:05 o'clock, a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 10:17 o'clock a.m., the sitting proceeded in public.
Jean Van Loon, Claude Rivard, Don Kinnear, Andrew Jackson and Hal Klepak each made a statement and, with Gordon Pugh, answered questions.
It was agreed,--That the Committee invite the Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister of Trade, to appear before it to discuss international business development.
It was agreed,--That the Committee invite the Honourable Don Boudria, Minister for International Cooperation and la Francophonie, to appear before it to discuss the issue of child labour.
It was agreed,--That members of the Committee meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria on Monday, March 17, 1997.
It was agreed,--That the Committee convene an in camera briefing on the Main Estimates, 1997-98 for Foreign Affairs and International Trade at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
It was agreed,--That pursuant to the Standing Order 108(2), the Committee convene a meeting on NATO enlargement on March 20, to which the Minister of Foreign Affairs be invited, and that further, the Committee invite the Canadian Council for International Peace and Security, Professor Gartner from the University of Salzburg and Canada's Ambassador to NATO to appear.
It was agreed,--That the Committee meet with Rigoberta Menchu, Nobel Peace Prize Winner from Guatemala on June 2, 1997.
At 12:13 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1997
(Meeting No. 71)
(Meeting No. 71)
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in a televised session at 9:13 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Stéphane Bergeron, Hon. Michel Dupuy, John English, Jesse Flis, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Bob Mills, Lee Morrison, Philippe Paré, Benoît Sauvageau and Bob Speller.
Acting Member present: Réginald Bélair for Eleni Bakopanos.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: James Lee, Researcher.
Witnesses: From the Department of Veterans Affairs: Dennis Wallace, Assistant Deputy Minister, Veterans' Services. From the Department of Justice: Bruce Mann, Counsel. From the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: Gilbert Laurin, Deputy Director, UN Legal Affairs Division.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its examination of compensation for Canadian Far East Prisoners of War during World War II (See Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence dated November 19, 1996, Issue No. 7, Meeting No. 52).
Dennis Wallace, Bruce Mann and Gilbert Laurin each made a statement and answered questions.
It was agreed,--That the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, request from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a legal opinion on the notion, in the case of Canadian Far East Prisoners of World War II, of the superceding of crimes against humanity over the 1952 Peace Treaty with Japan.
At 11:00 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 11:12 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed in camera in Room 237-C of the Centre Block.
It was agreed,--That the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, write to the Ambassador of Japan to invite a representative of the Japanese Government to appear before the Committee or to present in writing the opinion of the Japanese Government on the issue of compensation for Canadian Far East Prisoners of World War II.
It was agreed,--That the Committee convene an additional meeting on the issue of compensation for Canadian Far East Prisoners of World War II.
At 11:20 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1997
(Meeting No. 72)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
(Meeting No. 72)
The Evidence for this meeting is not available because it was held in camera.
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met in camera at 3:22 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 208, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Stéphane Bergeron, Jesse Flis, Bill Graham, Lee Morrison, Philippe Paré and Benoît Sauvageau.
Associate Members present: Maud Debien and George Proud.
Other Member present: Sue Barnes.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz, Researcher.
Appearing: From the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria: The Honourable Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Algerian Republic democratic and popular; Abdeimadjid Falsa, Chief Executive, Department of Foreign Affairs, America; Hassene Rabehi, chef de Cabinet; The Honourable Abdesseiam Bedrane, Ambassador of the Algerian Republic to Canada; Naceur Boucherit, First Councellor, Embassy of the Algerian Republic.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2) the Committee met with a parliamentary delegation from Algeria.
The Honourable Ahmed Attaf made a statement and answered questions.
At 4:21 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1997
(Meeting No. 73)
(Meeting No. 73)
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met on a televised session at 9:12 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Sarkis Assadourian, Eleni Bakopanos, Stéphane Bergeron, Hon. Michel Dupuy, John English, Jesse Flis, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Philippe Paré and Benoît Sauvageau.
Associate Member present: Maud Debien.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and James Lee, Researchers.
Witnesses: From Project Ploughshares: Ernie Regehr, Director, Policy and Public Affairs; Bill Robinson, Researcher; Doug Roche, Member and former Ambassador for Disarmament. From Physicians for Global Survival (Canada): Debbie Grisdale, Executive Director; Dr. Konia Trouton, President Elect; Dr. Alex Bryans, Member, Board of Directors. From Lawyers for Social Responsibility: David Matas, Member, Board of Directors. From ``Centre de ressources pour la non-violence'': Jacques Boucher, Director; Judith Berlyn, Member.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its examination of Canadian policy on nuclear non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament (See Minutes of Proceedings of Tuesday, March 4, 1997, Issue No. 11, Meeting No. 69).
Douglas Roche and Ernie Regehr each made a statement and, with Bill Robinson, answered questions.
At 10:39 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 10:46 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed.
Debbie Grisdale, Dr. Konia Trouton, Alex Bryans, David Matas, Jacques Boucher and Judith Berlyn each made a statement and answered questions.
At 12:07 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1997
(Meeting No. 74)
(Meeting No. 74)
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The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 3:32 o'clock p.m. this day, in Room 256-S, Centre Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Stéphane Bergeron, Jesse Flis, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham and Bob Speller.
Associate Members present: Maud Debien.
Members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs present: Hon. John Stewart, Chair, Hon. Eymard Corbin, Hon. Jerahmiel Grafstein, Hon. Peter A. Stollery, Hon. Raynell Andreychuk.
Other Senator present: Hon. Noel Kinsella.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz and Anthony Chapman, Researchers. From the Committees Directorate of The Senate: Serge Pelletier, Committee Clerk.
Delegation: From the Joint Committee on European Affairs of the Parliament of Ireland: Michael Ferris, M.P., Chairman of the Joint Committee; Michael Calnan, Senator; Joe O'Toole, Senator; David Andrews, M.P.; Noel Davern, M.P.; John Browne, M.P.; Liam Canniffe, Clerk.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to meet with a parliamentary delegation from Ireland.
Michael Ferris made a statement and, with the other members of the delegation, answered questions.
At 5:09 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1997
(Meeting No. 75)
(Meeting No. 75)
[Text]
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade met at 9:08 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Bill Graham, presiding.
Members of the Committee present: Eleni Bakopanos, Stéphane Bergeron, Hon. Michel Dupuy, John English, Beryl Gaffney, Bill Graham, Philippe Paré and Benoît Sauvageau.
Acting Member present: Keith Martin for Bob Mills.
Associate Member present: Maud Debien.
Members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs present: Honourable John Stewart, Honourable Raynell Andreychuck, Honourable Eymard Corbin, Honourable Pierre De Bané.
Other Senators present: Honourable Marcel Prud'homme, Hon. Peter Bosa.
In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Gerald Schmitz, James Lee and Anthony Chapman, Researchers. From the Committees Directorate of the Senate: Serge Pelletier, Committee Clerk.
Appearing: Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Witnesses: From the Canadian Council on Peace and Security: Douglas Fraser, Colonel, retired, Executive Director; Alain Pellerin, Colonel, retired, Project Director, CIIPS NATO Enlargement Project. As Individuals: Heinz Gärtner, Research Fellow, Austrian Institute for International Affairs, Laxenburg, Austria. Aurel Braun, Professor, Political Science, University of Toronto. Jacques Levesque, Professor, Political Science, ``Université du Québec à Montréal''.
In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resumed its examination of NATO enlargement (See Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence of Thursday, October 10, 1996, Issue No. 6, Meeting No. 44).
The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy made a statement and answered questions.
At 10:13 o'clock a.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 11:05 o'clock a.m., the sitting resumed.
Douglas Fraser, Alain Pellerin, Heinz Gärtner, Aurel Braun and Jacques Levesque each made a statement and answered questions.
The Chair presented the Fifth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure which is as follows:
It was agreed,--That Roy Cullen be substituted for Sarkis Assadourian as a Member of the Sub-Committee on Trade Disputes.
It was agreed,--That the Committee meet in a joint session with the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs with the Prime Minister of Lebanon on Thursday, April 10, 1997, 3:15 to 4:10.
It was agreed,--That the Committee order a reprint of the First Report of the Committee entitled ``Canadian SMEs in the World Economy: Developing Effective Business-Government Partnership for International Success'' in the quantity of 800 copies.
It was agreed,--That, should the need arise, the Committee retain the services of Georges Royer to edit the French version of the report of the Committee on circumpolar cooperation for an amount not to exceed $2,500.00.
It was agreed,--That the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Lloyd Axworthy and the Minister for International Cooperation and la Francophonie, Honourable Don Boudria, be invited to appear before the Committee in relation to the Main Estimates for Foreign Affairs and CIDA, 1997-98.
On motion of Stéphane Bergeron, it was agreed,--That Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister for International Trade, be added to the fifth paragraph.
It was agreed,--That the Fifth Report of the Sub-Committee on Agenda and Procedure, as amended, be concurred in.
At 12:17 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.
Janice Hilchie
Clerk of the Committee