Bloc MP Carole LavallÃ©e has sent a notion of motion to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage calling for hearings on Canada’s role at the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiations. The motion states:

That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the Committee on Canadian Heritage invite the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of International Trade, or their representatives, and any other relevant witness(es), to appear before the Committee and inform it of the position defended by the Canadian negotiators in the negotiations on the signature of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), and that the Committee report to the House accordingly.

The motion will be tabled today and voted on Thursday. Unlike other ACTA countries, which have held meetings with interested parties and politicians since the last round of negotiations, Canadian officials and politicians have remained silent. These hearings offer an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Canadian approach at the ACTA talks.