It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure have the following work plan through May 2007.
A. March 20-29
There are four meetings scheduled between the March Break and the Easter Break. In the first week, the following two meetings will be held:
• March 20th – Meeting on the Main Estimates with Minister Emerson.
• March 22nd – Consideration of a draft report on Canada’s global trade and investment policy.
The Subcommittee agreed that the dates of these two meetings may be switched depending on the availability of Minister Emerson.
On March 27th, the Committee will hold a second meeting to approve a final report on Canada’s global trade and investment policy.
On March 29th, a second meeting is tentatively scheduled with departmental officials on the Main Estimates. The Committee may re-evaluate the need for this meeting depending on the outcome of previous meetings.
B. April 17-26
Following the Easter Break, there are four meeting times scheduled in the month of April. Over this period, the Committee will conduct hearings on Canada-U.S. trade and investment issues, including the Security and Prosperity Partnership. Meeting times will be allocated as follows:
• April 17th, 19th and 24th – Hearings on Canada-U.S. business issues, including the Security and Prosperity Partnership.
• April 26th – Consideration of a draft report on the above.
As part of these hearings, it was also agreed that the Committee should plan a trip to Washington. The exact dates of any such trip have yet to be determined.
C. May 1 and Beyond
1) Machinery of Government Study
The Subcommittee agreed to begin a study in May of the different government departments and agencies that have a stake in international trade and investment policy, promotion and control.
The objective of this study would be to evaluate how the machinery of government delivers trade- and investment-related services. Key questions would include:
• What are the responsibilities of each of the departments and agencies?
• Is there coordination of activities? Do departments/agencies ever act at cross purposes? Are any activities redundant? Does the current organization make sense?
• Are resources sufficient? Is reallocation of resources or targeted increases necessary?
• How does the government work to ensure that international business policy sends a unified and coherent message abroad?
The Committee could also examine the structure of trade and investment portfolios in selected industrialized countries considered to have successful trade policy models. Suggested countries include the United States and Australia.
In a final report, the Committee would make recommendations on how the machinery of government could be restructured to operate more logically, efficiently and effectively.
The exact duration of this study is yet to be determined. A tentative timeframe of six meetings was proposed.
2) Travel
2.1) United States
It was agreed that the Committee travel to the United States in the context of the Study of Canada-US Trade and Investment issues: including the security and prosperity partnership.
2.2) Overseas
In light of recent testimony underscoring the benefit to Canadian business of overseas visits by government Ministers and parliamentary committees, all members of the Subcommittee agreed that the Committee as a whole should investigate the possibility of travel in May. The objectives of such a trip would be to raise the profile of Canada; help promote Canadian business opportunities; and send the message that Canada is serious about pursuing trade and investment growth.
Subcommittee members agreed to consult their caucus colleagues to determine where, specifically, the Committee should travel. Each of the four parties is to come to the March 1st Committee meeting with a recommendation for a single travel destination (a country or region).
OTHER BUSINESS
The Subcommittee agreed to host a luncheon for the Honourable Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, President of the Senate, and the Honourable Antonio Leal Labrin, President of the Chamber of Deputies, Republic of Chile during their visit to Ottawa March 26-30, 2007.