Canadian Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs
Encyclopedia
The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade was first established in March 1938 under the name of Committee on External Relations. Its name subsequently changed to International Relations, to Foreign Affairs and in 2006, to Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
The mandate of the Committee is to examine legislation
and matters relating to foreign
and Commonwealth relations, including: (1) treaties
and international agreements; (2) external trade; (3) foreign aid; (4) defence; and (5) territorial and offshore matters (Rule 86(1)(h)).
In 1980 the Committee established a Subcommittee on National Defence which became a Special Committee in January 1984.
The Special Committee remained in existence until October 1989 and the Subcommittee was reconstituded in March 1992 under the name of Security and National Defence.
In April 1994, the Committee received an order of reference to monitor and report on the implementation and application of the FTA and NAFTA
as well as any other related trade development.
The mandate of the Committee is to examine legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
and matters relating to foreign
Foreign relations of Canada
The foreign relations of Canada are Canada's relations with other governments and peoples. Canada's most important relationship, being the largest trading relationship in the world, is with the United States...
and Commonwealth relations, including: (1) treaties
Treaty
A treaty is an express agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an agreement, protocol, covenant, convention or exchange of letters, among other terms...
and international agreements; (2) external trade; (3) foreign aid; (4) defence; and (5) territorial and offshore matters (Rule 86(1)(h)).
In 1980 the Committee established a Subcommittee on National Defence which became a Special Committee in January 1984.
The Special Committee remained in existence until October 1989 and the Subcommittee was reconstituded in March 1992 under the name of Security and National Defence.
In April 1994, the Committee received an order of reference to monitor and report on the implementation and application of the FTA and NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA is an agreement signed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc in North America. The agreement came into force on January 1, 1994. It superseded the Canada – United States Free Trade Agreement...
as well as any other related trade development.