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Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on 
Foreign Affairs

Issue 15 - Minutes of Proceedings

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OTTAWA, Monday May 5, 2003
(26)

[Translation]

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs met this day at 4:36 p.m. in Room 705 of the Victoria Building, the Chairman, the Honourable Peter A. Stollery, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Austin, P.C., Corbin, De Bané, P.C., Graham, P.C., Stollery and Stratton (6).

Also present: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Peter Berg, Research Officer; from the office of the Honourable Peter A. Stollery: David Murphy; and from the committee secretariat: Ian Parker, Communications Specialist.

In attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to its Order of Reference passed by the Senate on Thursday November 21, 2002, the Committee continued its examination of the Canada-United States of America trade relationship and the Canada-Mexico trade relationship, with particular emphasis on: (a) the 1988 Free Trade Agreement; (b) the 1992 North American Free Trade Agreement; (c) secure access for Canadian goods and services to the United States of America and Mexico; and (d) the development of effective dispute resolution mechanisms, all in the context of Canada's economic relations with the countries of the Americas and the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of trade negotiations.

WITNESSES:

From the Government of Mexico:

The Honourable Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista, Secretary of Foreign Affairs;

Mr. Geronimo Gutiérrez, Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs, North America.

From the Embassy of Mexico in Canada:

H.E. Maria Theresa Garcia S. De Madero, Ambassador of Mexico to Canada;

Ms. Cecilia Jaber, Deputy Head of Mission.

His Excellency Derbez made a presentation and answered questions.

At 5:15 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

ATTEST:

François Michaud

Clerk of the Committee

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