At 4:10 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:18 p.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That, regarding Canada’s intention to enter negotiations aimed at achieving a free trade agreement with Ecuador, announced in the House of Commons on December 13, 2023, with the intent of providing Parliamentary input into Canada’s negotiations, the Standing Committee on International Trade undertake a study of Canada’s intended objectives and expected outcomes of negotiations; that the Committee hear a minimum of six hours of witness testimony with one hour of testimony from the Minister and/or Deputy Minister of International Trade; that if the Committee deems it necessary in order to protect Canada’s negotiating position witnesses, other than the Minister of International Trade, be heard in camera; and that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons as soon as possible.

It was agreed, — That, given the significant implications of the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system (CARM), a significant undertaking by CBSA to modernize the collection of duties and taxes for goods imported into Canada, and the concerns raised by Canadians business and importers and exporters, the committee undertake a full review of the upcoming full implementation of CARM, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), including a full review of concerns that have already been brought forward by Canadian businesses that will be impacted by CARM, to understand (a) the impact of an unsuccessful launch of CARM, and (b) the plan to ensure that Canadian trade is not hindered by any faults within CARM; that any relevant officials from GAC or CBSA appear before the committee; that a minimum of 2 meetings be held to ensure Parliamentarians hear from all the public stakeholders who have voiced concerns about CARM’s potential negative impact once the system is fully implemented; and that the committee report its findings to the House of Commons.

It was agreed, — That the committee proceed to the study of Free Trade Negotiations Between Canada and Ecuador during the meetings of Tuesday, February 13, Thursday, February 15, and Tuesday, February 27, 2024; that the committee proceed to the study of The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management System (CARM) during the meetings of Thursday, February 29 and Tuesday, March 19, 2024; and that the committee resume the study of Canadian Businesses in Supply Chains and Global Markets on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

At 4:26 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:34 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Daryell Nowlan, Nadine Brassard, Robert Laplante, Maxime Lavoie and Sony Perron made statements and answered questions.