Thank you to the witnesses.
Ms. Campbell, I hear you loud and clear, and to an extent I agree with you when you talk about the importance and strength of having a stable and strong relationship with the United States, and also focusing on diversifying our trade relations to other emerging markets quickly as well. In my view, no matter how diversified we become, the United States will still remain our largest trading partner. Being in the vicinity it's very important to have a good relationship with our neighbour as far as trade is concerned.
I also was looking at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's recent report that you mentioned, “Turning it Around: How to Restore Canada’s Trade Success”. I was reading the introduction which talked about barriers and how Canada needs to take measures to improve its productivity and transportation infrastructure, and how Canada also needs to open new markets with free trade agreements. My colleague, Mr. Cannan, mentioned our ambitious pro-trade agenda where we already have negotiated or concluded agreements with 38 new markets, so that answers that question.
The report also has many recommendations for improvements under four themes. I was attracted by the fourth theme, which talks about incorporating the private sector into Canada's international development strategies. By the way, on that issue, I was just reading that this morning, Minister Fast , when speaking to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, has named the advisory panel to help update global commerce strategies.
Also, in the past I've been in consultation with stakeholders, including the private sector, which has been very active in my view.
I want to read from one of the press releases by your organization this past November:
By identifying economic diplomacy as a key to advancing Canadian commercial interests, the federal government is ensuring Canadian companies have the support to succeed abroad.
Why is economic diplomacy so important for Canadian businesses? How do businesses put it to good use? Of course, I imagine that it goes part of the way in creating opportunities for businesses. What should businesses, the private sector, be doing to take advantage of the opportunities created by the global market action plan? Again, the Government of Canada is signing and concluding agreements—