Background: Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT)—Study on the CBSA's Assessment and Revenue Management Project (CARM) (September 25, 2024)

Committee members biographies

Mandate

The House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade studies and reports on matters referred to it by the House of Commons. The Committee can also initiate studies of subjects falling within its mandate. As a permanent committee established by the House of Commons Standing Orders, the Committee may be asked to comment on legislation, departmental activities and spending, and other matters under its jurisdiction. The Compendium of the House of Commons Procedure contains additional information on the mandate and powers of standing committees.

The general subject area of the Committee includes the following:

• International trade policy, including trade and investment liberalization, as well as Canada's economic relationship with other countries
• Canadian international competitiveness, as well as the effects of global competition on Canadian firms and the Canadian economy
• The global trade and investment environment, including the World Trade Organization, international markets, and regional trade blocs

The federal departments and agencies under the Committee's direct scrutiny are:

• Global Affairs Canada (international trade component)
• Export Development Canada
• Canadian Commercial Corporation
• Invest in Canada

Biographies of the committee members

The Honourable Judy Sgro (Chair)

Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Humber River-Black Creek, Ontario

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 1999
• Re-elected: 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2021

Professional background

Municipal Politics: North York City Council (1987 to 1994); Toronto City Council (1994 to 1999); At the municipal level, Sgro focused on poverty and crime reduction

Political and parliamentary roles

• Minister: Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (2003 to 2005)
• Parliamentary Secretary: Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services (2003)
• Parliamentary Association Vice-Chair: Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2019 to 2020); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016 to 2018)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2006 to present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2006 to present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2005 to present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2005 to present); Canada-Japan Inter-parliamentary Group (2006 to present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association

Committee membership

• Chair: Standing Committee on International Trade (2020 to present); Liaison Committee (2016 to present); Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2016 to 2019); Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2016 to 2019); Standing Committee on the Status of Women (2006 to 2007)
• Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (2013 to 2015); Standing Committee on the Status of Women (2011 to 2012); Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (2009 to 2010)
• Member: Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (2007 to 2008); Standing Committee on Health (2001 to 2003); Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (2000 to 2001)

Ryan Williams

Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Bay of Quinte, Ontario

Critic for International Trade, Pan-Canadian Trade and competition

Election to the House of Commons

First elected: 2011

Professional background

• Studies: Bachelors in Commerce (Hotel and Food Administration, Hotel, Commerce, Business)
• Municipal Politics: Elected City Councillor for the City of Belleville in 2018
• Tourism: Prior to being elected to the House of Commons, MP Williams was President and Former Board Member of Bay of Quinte Tourist Council for 10 years, and founded Bay of Quinte Living and QuinteVation
• Commerce: 6 years as the Director of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce
• Hotelier: Vice-President of Williams Hotel since 2004

Political and parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2023 to 2024); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2023 to 2024); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2023 to 2024); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2023 to 2024); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2023 to 2024); and Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2023 to 2024).

Committee membership

• Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on International Trade (2024 to present)
• Member: Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (2022 to 2024); Standing Committee on Science and Research (2022); Standing Committee on Science and Research (2022); and Standing Committee on Health (2021 to 2022)

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay

Political affiliation: Bloc Québécois
Constituency: Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot, Quebec

Critic for International Trade, aerospace and cars

Election to the House of Commons

• Elected: 2019
• Re-elected: 2021

Professional background

• Studies: Bachelor's degree in political sciences, a master's degree in Sociology, and a PHD in Sociology and development
• Columnist: Columnist at Radio VM (2015 to 2019); Columnist at Le Mag (2017 to 2019); Columnist at Cogéco 106,9 Fm Mauricie (2016 to 2019); Columnist at La Vie Agricole (2017 to 2019)
• Blogger: Blogger at Le Journal de Montréal (2016 to 2019)

Political and parliamentary roles

• Parliamentary Association Vice-Chair: Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2021 to present)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2019 to present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2019 to present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2019 to present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (2020 to present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; Canadian Section of ParlAmericas; Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2020 to present)

Committee membership

• Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on International Trade (2020 to present); Special Committee on the Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States (2021)
• Member: Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic (2020)

Chandra Arya

Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Nepean, Ontario

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 2015
• Re-elected: 2019 and 2021

Professional background

• Studies: Bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's in business administration
• Technology: Was an executive in the high-technology sector before entering politics
• Business: Served on the board of Invest Ottawa and as Chair of the Indo-Canada Ottawa Business Chamber
• Non-Profit: Served on the Unity Non-Profit Housing Corporation Ottawa Board and as Vice President of the Ottawa Community Immigrants Services Organization

Political and parliamentary roles

• Parliamentary Association Vice-Chair: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2017)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2016 to present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2015 to present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group; Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2016 to present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2019 to present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary (2018 to present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2018 to present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2018 to present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016 to present); NATO Parliamentary Association (2016 to present); Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (2019 to present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2016 to present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016 to present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas; Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2016 to present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2016 to present); Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2016 to 2019)

Committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2020 to present); Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2016 to 2019); Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (2016 to 2017)

Tony Baldinelli

Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Niagara Falls, Ontario

Critic for tourism

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 2019
• Re-elected: 2021

Professional background

• Consultant: Senior Consultant at Hill & Knowlton (1997 to 2001)
• Communication: Communications Manager at The Niagara Parks Commission (2001 to 2019)

Political and parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2020 to present)

Committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2022 to present); Standing Committee on Science and Research (2021 to 2022); Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (2021); Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2020); Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2016 to 2019)

Richard Cannings

Political affiliation: New Democratic Party of Canada
Constituency: South Okanagan-West Kootenay, British Columbia

Critic for Emergency Preparedness (Climate Change Resilience); Small Business and Tourism; International Trade
Deputy critic: Innovation, Science, and Industry; Natural Resources

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 2015
• Re-elected: 2019 and 2021

Professional background

• Studies: Master's degree in zoology from Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Biologist: 17 years as a professor at the University of British Columbia, consulting biologist including work for the non-profit Bird Studies Canada, 8 years as co-chair on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada as, 11 years on B.C. Environmental Appeal Board and five on the B.C. Forest Appeals Commission, from 2006 to 2015 he was a board member of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and authored or contribute to numerous books

Political and parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2015 to present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2023 to present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2015 to present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2015 to present)

Committee membership

• Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2020)
• Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2023 to present); Standing Committee on Science and Research (2021 to present); Committee on Natural Resources (2016 to 2021); Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic (2020)

Mona Fortier

Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Ottawa-Vanier, Ontario

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 2017
• Re-elected: 2019 and 2021

Professional background

• Studies: Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a master's degree in business administration
• Management/Business: Senior Director, Communications and Market Development at College La Cité (2011 to 2015); Senior Director, Strategic Marketing at College La Cité (2008 to 2011); Executive Director at Equinox Inc. (2005 to 2008)
• Public Affairs: Vice-President at Solugik Public Affairs (2002 to 2005); Project Manager NBA Communications (1993 to 2002)

Political and parliamentary roles

• Minister: President of Treasury Board (2021 to 2023); Minister of Middle Class Prosperity (2019 to 2021); Associate Minister of Finance (2019 to 2021)
• Deputy: Deputy Government Whip (2024 to present)
• Member: Joint Interparliamentary Council (2024 to present); Board of Internal Economy (2024 to present)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2017 to present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2018 to present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2017 to present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2023 to present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2024 to present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2023 to present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2018 to present); Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (2017 to present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2018 to present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2024 to present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2017 to present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2023 to present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2017 to present)

Committee membership

• Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2023 to 2024)
• Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2023 to present); Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (2024 to present); Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Standing Committee on Official Languages (2018 to 2019); Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2017 to 2019); Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (2017 to 2018)

Matt Jeneroux

Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Edmonton Riverbend, Alberta

Critic for supply chain issues

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 2015
• Re-elected: 2019 and 2021

Professional background

• Studies: Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta
• Provincial Politics: MP of the Progressive Conservative Party at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (2012 to 2015)
• Public Service: Advisor, Strategic Policy and Planning at Health Canada (2008 to 2012)
• Mental Health: Founder of the Hi Dad Foundation to raise awareness for the importance of men's mental health for families (2022 to present)

Political and parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2016 to present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2016 to present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2016 to present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2017 to present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2015 to present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2015 to present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2016 to present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2018 to present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2015 to present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2015 to present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2015 to present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2015 to present); Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2015 to present)

Committee membership

• Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Health (2020); Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (2018 to 2019)
• Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2023 to present); Standing Committee on Health (2020 to 2023); Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (2021 to 2022); Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (2020 to 2021); Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic (2020); Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (2017 to 2019); Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2018 to 2019); Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (2016 to 2017); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2017)

Richard Martel

Political affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Constituency: Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, Quebec

Critic for sport; Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebec

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 2018
• Re-elected: 2019 and 2021

Professional background

Hockey: Served as head coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) (1993 to 2017)

Political and parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (2019 to 2021); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2019 to 2020); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2019 to 2020); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2019 to 2020); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2019 to 2021); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2019 to 2020); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2019 to 2020); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2019 to 2020)

Committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2021 to present); Standing Committee on National Defence (2018 to 2020)

Wilson Miao

Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Richmon centre, British Columbia

Election to the House of Commons

First elected: 2021

Professional background

• Studies: Bachelor's degree in business administration and international business
• Business: Closing Sales Coordinator at Polygon Homes Ltd. (2014 to 2016); Director of Communications and Marketing at Richmond Sentinel (2018 to 2021); Investment Advisor Hoovest Financial Inc. (2021 to present)
• Health: Opulence Global Partner Lifestyle Advisor at Opulence Global (2011 to present)

Committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2021 to present); Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (2021 to present)

Terry Sheenan

Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 2015
• Re-elected: 2019 and 2021

Professional background

• Private and Public Sectors: Prior to entering politics, MP. Sheehan had a career in the private and public sectors in business, community, and economic development
• Consultant: His last position prior to being elected as a Member of Parliament was as an employment and training consultant for the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities

Political and parliamentary roles

• Parliamentary Secretary: Labour (Employment and Social Development) (2021 to present); Economic Development and Official Languages (FedNor) (2019 to 2021)
• Co-Chair: Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016 to present)
• Member: Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016 to present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2016 to present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2023 to 2024); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2016 to 2024); Canada-France Inter-parliamentary Association (2023 to 2024); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2017 to 2020); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2016 to 2020); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2016)

Committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2021 to present); Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (2021 to present)

Maninder Sidhu

Political affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
Constituency: Brampton East, Ontario

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

Election to the House of Commons

• First elected: 2019
• Re-elected: 2021

Professional background

International Trade: International Trade Specialist, Independent (2007 to 2019)

Political and parliamentary roles

• Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of International Trade (2023 to present); Minister of Foreign Affairs (2021 to 2023); Minister of International Development (2021)
• Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2020 to present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2020 to present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2020 to present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2020 to present); Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2020 to present)

Committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2023 to present); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2022); Special Committee on Afghanistan (2021 to 2023); Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2021); Standing Committee on Natural Resources (2020 to 2021); Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (2020 to 2021); Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (2020 to 2021)

Conflicts of interest tied to federal contracts

The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) has tracked 78 instances of public servants declaring conflicts of interest related to federal contracting in 2023 to 2024.

In addition to the Departmental breakdown of conflicts of interest (COIs), TBS has also recorded the number of public servants who held government employment while also engaging in contractual relationships as external sources leading to conflict of interest:

79 instances in 2022 to 2023 and 84 instances in 2023 to 2024

Note It should be noted that the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO) previously received numbers from TBS stating that 140 COI declarations were filed in 2022 to 2023 and 162 declarations filed in 2023 to 2024. They did not explain discrepancies.