This House of Commons International Trade committee meeting studied Canada’s approach to the forthcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Appearing were Tia Loftsgard (Canada Organic Trade Association), Catherine Filejski (Canadian Animal Health Institute), Keanin Loomis (Canadian Institute of Steel Construction), Bea Bruske and Elizabeth Kwan (Canadian Labour Congress), and Graham Davies (Digital Media Association).
Tia Loftsgard urged the committee to support a full 16-year renewal of CUSMA and to keep organic equivalency arrangements out of trade negotiations, arguing they are technical mechanisms, not political ones. She warned that stricter rules of origin would raise costs for the premium organic sector, which relies on integrated North American supply chains, and called for investment in better data tracking and a domestic organic action plan to address Canada’s reliance on imports and lagging competitiveness.
Catherine Filejski said CUSMA is foundational for the animal health industry, given Canada’s heavy reliance on U.S. imports for veterinary medicines and vaccines. She recommended broadening data protection to cover new uses of existing drugs, advancing regulatory reliance on U.S. approvals, aligning maximum residue limits, and modernizing domestic frameworks, all to reduce duplication and trade barriers. She strongly supported a full 16-year renewal.
Keanin Loomis called for a permanent exemption from U.S. section 232 tariffs on Canadian steel, an explicit domestic procurement clause for Canadian steel in federally funded projects, and harmonized trade remedy and anti-circumvention rules across North America. He argued that inconsistent enforcement creates loopholes exploited by dumped Chinese steel, and urged expanding the surtax order to cover derivative steel products to protect the entire value chain.
Bea Bruske and Elizabeth Kwan argued that Canada must approach CUSMA negotiations with a strong backbone, using its leverage from supplying essential inputs like potash and energy. They recommended three core principles: worker-centred trade with enforceable labour chapters, preserving Canada’s policy and regulatory space for domestic industrial strategy and climate commitments, and protecting public services from privatization. They stressed that rules of origin must support Canadian procurement and good union jobs.
Graham Davies said the implementation of the Online Streaming Act creates a two-tiered system that places foreign streaming services at a structural disadvantage, requiring them to pay into Canadian cultural funds they cannot access. He argued this approach risks harming Canada’s position as a top digital music exporter and has been flagged by U.S. lawmakers as a barrier to digital trade. He recommended adjusting the act’s rules to be fair and consistent with CUSMA.
After witness testimony, the committee debated a motion regarding the Minister of Industry’s failure to appear. Following discussion, the committee agreed to adjourn debate on the motion and on related amendments to a future meeting, allowing time for members to review proposals.
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