The committee met to study Division 27 of Bill C-15, which proposes limited amendments to the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA) to add "economic security" as a ground for controlling imports and exports. Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand appeared alongside officials, including Robert Brookfield, Director General of Sanctions and Strategic Export Controls at Global Affairs Canada.
Minister Anand testified that the amendments would not create new controls immediately but would give the government a new statutory authority to develop controls in the future, allowing Canada to respond quickly to economic coercion, supply chain shocks, and foreign threats. She framed the change as part of a broader foreign policy of "principled pragmatism" and noted that allies such as Japan, Germany, the United States, and the European Union have adopted similar economic security strategies. She emphasized that any future use of the power would require a careful risk-benefit analysis and would be used only when other tools were insufficient.
Robert Brookfield explained that the amendments close a gap in the EIPA by allowing items to be added to the export or import control list for economic security reasons, a ground that does not currently exist. He stated there is no predetermined list of products or countries that would be targeted, and that any addition would go through the normal regulatory process, including consultations and publication. He noted that the permitting regime could range from automatic monitoring to full prohibition, depending on the circumstances, and that the change is intended to give the government flexibility to address future, unpredictable economic threats. He disagreed with a member's characterization of Canada's sanctions regime as a "paper tiger," arguing that the export controls regime is robust and that most companies seek to comply with the law.
Following the testimony, the committee debated and adopted a motion to invite Mark Wiseman, Canada's new ambassador to the United States, to appear for two hours to testify about his mandate in the context of Canada-U.S. relations, after a friendly amendment specifying "after taking office" was accepted.
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