Background information: Standing Committee on International Trade: Potential Impacts of the ArriveCAN Application on Certain Canadian Sectors (June 15, 2022)
Standing Committee on International Trade: Committee overview
Committee Members: At a glance
The Honourable Judy Sgro (Chair)
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Humber River-Black Creek, Ontario
Key interests
- Canada-U.S. relationship
- Human rights
Parliamentary roles
Sgro has served as a Member of Parliament since 1999. She served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services in 2003, and as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration from 2003 to 2005. She has served as Critic of many portfolios, including Industry, Status of Women, Veterans Affairs and National Revenue. In the previous parliament, Sgro served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Notable committee memberships
- Chair, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present
- Chair, Liaison Committee, to present
- Former Chair, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN), to
- Former Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), to
Background
Prior to entering federal politics, Sgro served in municipal politics as part of the North York City Council and the Toronto City Council, starting in 1987. At the municipal level, Sgro focused on poverty and crime reduction.
Randy Hoback (First Vice-Chair)
Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Critic for international trade and supply chain resilience
Key interests
- Trade of agricultural products (focus on canola)
- Critical of progressive trade objectives
- Impact of CUSMA on Canadian ability to negotiate trade deals with non- market economy
- Canada-China canola crisis
- Softwood Lumber
Parliamentary roles
Hoback has served previously as the critic for International Trade prior to Tracy Gray, and the critic for Canada-U.S. Relations. He also served as the Chair of the Saskatchewan Conservative Party Caucus. He also served as President of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas starting in 2010, and as President of ParlAmericas at the hemispheric level from 2011 to 2014.
Notable committee membership
- Vice Chair, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present, to
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to
- Chair, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to
- Member, Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI), to
Background
Hoback was first elected in 2008, and has been re-elected in his Prince Albert riding in each of the 2011, 2015 and 2019 elections. Prior to entering politics, Hoback worked in the farm equipment manufacturing industry before taking over his family farm. He has a business administration certificate from the University of Saskatchewan and a Chartered Director's designation from McMaster University.
Recent issue statements/background
Hoback recently attended a meeting with WSHDC-HOM/Hillman in and discussed the Canada-U.S. border, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, Buy America and supply chains.
MP Hoback has previously raised concerns on jobs associated with Line 5 during BIA.
MP Hoback has tweeted about the urgent need for permanent trade agreements with ASEAN, India, and the UK.
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay (Vice-Chair)
Political affiliation: Bloc Québécois
Constituency: Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot, Quebec
Critic for international trade
Key interests
- Investor State Dispute Settlement
- TRIPS provision waiver
- Aluminum Provisions in CUSMA (impact on Quebec)
- Protection of supply management
- Aerospace strategy
- Support for Small to medium-sized businesses
Parliamentary roles
Savard-Tremblay was elected in 2019 and 2021 and currently serves as the Bloc Quebecois critic for International Trade and Industry.
Notable committee membership
- Vice-Chair, Special Committee on the Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States(CAAM) – to
- Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to
Background
Prior to entering politics, Savard-Tremblay worked as an academic, author and columnist. He has a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Montreal, a Masters in Sociology from the University of Quebec at Montreal, and a doctorate in the social economy of development from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris. He was heavily involved in the youth forum of the BQ and has been a frequent commentator in Quebec on economic and sovereignty-related issues. In his academic work, he is critical of neoliberalism and globalization.
Recent issue statements/background
MP Savard-Tremblay has been a strong advocate for supply-managed sectors. During a CIIT meeting on Bill C- 216, MP Savard-Tremblay brought up the issue that the bill undermines other sectors during negotiations.
Brian Masse
Political affiliation: New Democratic Party of Canada
Constituency: Windsor West, Ontario
Critic for international trade and Canada-U.S. border relations
Key interests
- Canada-U.S. Relations (softwood lumber tariffs, Buy American)
- Border Issues
Parliamentary roles
Masse was first elected in 2002. Masse previously served as critic for Small Business, for Tourism, for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, and for the Great Lakes and the Canada–U.S. Border. He has also served 16 years as vice-chair of the Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group, co-chaired the All-Party Border Caucus, and chaired the NDP Auto Caucus.
Notable committee membership
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present, to
- Member, Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU), to present
Background
Prior to entering politics, Savard-Tremblay worked as an academic, author and columnist. He has a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Montreal, a Masters in Sociology from the University of Quebec at Montreal, and a doctorate in the social economy of development from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris. He was heavily involved in the youth forum of the BQ and has been a frequent commentator in Quebec on economic and sovereignty-related issues. In his academic work, he is critical of neoliberalism and globalization.
Chandra Arya
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Nepean, Ontario
Key interests
- Knowledge-based sector
- Rare minerals and the production of electric vehicle batteries
- Trade with India
- Foreign direct investment
- Investment protections in trade agreements
Parliamentary roles
Arya was first elected in 2015. He is a member of virtually all of the interparliamentary associations.
Notable committee memberships
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present
- Member, Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PACP), to
- Member, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), to
Background
Arya spent his career prior to entering politics as an executive in the high-technology sector. He has a Bachelor degree in Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. Arya was active in the Ottawa business community, serving on the board of Invest Ottawa and as Chair of the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber. He was also active in social causes, serving on the board of the Unity Non-Profit Housing Corporation Ottawa and as Vice President of the Ottawa Community Immigrants Services Organization.
Anju Dhillon
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Dorval-Lachine-Lasalle, Quebec
Key interests
- Women
- Immigration
- Gender-based violence
- Growing the middle class
- Economic growth
- Mental health
Parliamentary roles
Dhillon was first elected in 2015. She served as Parliamentary Secretary for Status of women from to .
Notable committee memberships
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present
- Member, Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST), to present
- Member, Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM), to
- Member, Standing Committee on the Status of Women (FEWO), to
- Member, Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVI), to
- Member, Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC), to
- Member, Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (REGS), to
- Member, Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA), to
Background
Dhillon was born and raised in the riding of Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle. Before politics, she worked as a caregiver to running her own law practice.
Dhillon holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Political Science from Concordia University, a Bachelor of Law from Université de Montréal, a JurisDoctor (J.D.) and Master of Laws Degrees from Université de Sherbrooke.
Hey journey as a politician began at the age of 13 when she volunteered for the Liberal Party of Canada. She sat on the Executive Council of the LaSalle-Emard Federal Liberal Electoral District Association in various positions such as Youth Vice-President, Vice-President Female, Secretary, and Policy Officer.
Chris Lewis
Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Essex, Ontario
Key interests
- Oil and gas pipelines
- Economic growth
- Canada-U.S. border relations
Parliamentary roles
Lewis was first elected in .
Notable committee membership
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present, to
- Member, Special Committee on the Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States (CAAM), to
- Member, Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST), to
- Member, Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVI), to
Background
Prior to politics, Lewis was a member of the Kingsville Fire department for 7 years and chaired the Master Fire Planning Committee. He served on Kingsville Council and was heavily involved with 13 Standing Committees for the Town. Lewis was a member of his family business, specializing in non- intrusive sewer and water repair… saving taxpayers millions of dollars over his 20-year career.
Richard Martel
Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, Quebec
Key interests
- Softwood Lumber
- Aluminum
- Dairy
Parliamentary roles
Lewis was first elected in .
Notable committee membership
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present, to
- Member, Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN), to
- Member, Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVI), to
Background
Prior to politics, Martel was an assistant hockey coach from 1991 to 1993 in Chicoutimi. Between 1993 and 2011, Martel served as head coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where he twice won the Ron Lapointe Trophy as the QMJHL coach of the year. On , Martel became the most successful coach in history when he won his 570th game surpassing a previous record.
Wilson Miao
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Richmon centre, British Columbia
Key interests
Small and medium businesses
Parliamentary roles
Miao was first elected in .
Notable committee memberships
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present
- Member, Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (CVA), to present
Background
Miao has a business degree from Simon Fraser University. Before entering politics he worked in corporate marketing and real estate development. Later, he became a consultant for real estate development and senior living projects. He also worked as a Communications and Marketing Director for a media outlet.
Jeremy Patzer
Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Cypress Hills-Grasslands, Saskatchewan
Key interests
- Oil and gas pipelines
- Canola
- Natural resource sector
- Rural and remote communities
- Firearms policy
Parliamentary roles
Lewis was first elected in .
Notable committee membership
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present, to
- Member, Standing Committee on Natural Resources (RNNR), to
- Member, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), to
- Member, Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVI), to
Background
Patzer was born and raised on a grain farm in Frontier, Saskatchewan. He went on to work in the telecommunications industry for 10 years, in business and residential settings for both rural and urban areas. All the while, he remained active in politics, serving on the Board of Directors for the Conservative Party Constituency Association since 2015.
Terry Sheenan
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour
Key interests
- Steel (particularly focused on Southern Ontario and Algoma Steel)
- Supply-chains for satellites and Electric vehicles
- Employment and economic growth
Parliamentary roles
Sheehan was first elected in 2015. He was elected co-chair of the All Party Steel Caucus in the previous Parliament. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development from to . He now serves as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour.
Notable committee memberships
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present
- Member, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), to
- Member, Special Committee on Pay Equity (ESPE), to
Background
Prior to entering politics, Sheehan had a career in the private and public sectors in business, community and economic development. His last position prior to being elected as a Member of Parliament was as an employment and training consultant for the Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. His riding is home to Algoma Steel and Tenaris.
Private members' motion
In the 42nd Parliament Sheehan submitted a Private Members Motion concerning the importance of the Canadian steel industry and the creation of a National Steel Procurement Strategy.
Arif Virani
Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Parkdale-Highpark, Ontario
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, Export promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
Key interests
- Persons with disabilities
- Healthcare
- Indigenous rights
Parliamentary roles
Virani was first elected in 2015. He previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and to the Minister of Democratic Institutions, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Multiculturalism), and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. He is now Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development as of .
Notable committee memberships
- Member, Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT), to present
- Member, Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST), to
- Member, Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (SJUS), to
- Member, Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD), to
- Member, Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVI), to
- Member, Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC), to
Background
Virani came to Canada as a Ugandan Asian refugee. Before entering politics, he worked as a constitutional litigator, advocating for human rights and access to justice.
Virani was an analyst with the Canadian Human Rights Commission in Ottawa, an investigator at the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse in Montréal, and an assistant trial attorney prosecuting those accused of genocide at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Virani was also one of the founders of the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario in Toronto. He received the 2001 Harold G. Fox litigation scholarship at the Middle Temple in London, United Kingdom, and the 2008 Wilson- Prichard Award in recognition of his contributions to the legal profession and his community.
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