Canada-U.S. Relations May 3rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I can assure this House that our government will vigorously oppose any efforts to impose new border fees. In these challenging economic times, there is no better American job creator than trade with Canada and, of course, vice versa.

New border fees send exactly the opposite message. They undermine efforts to create new jobs in Canada and the United States. Canadians can be assured that our government will work tirelessly to promote the interests of Canadian exporters and investors.

International Trade May 2nd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Okanagan—Shuswap for that great question and also for his hard work in promoting Canadian interests around the world.

Sadly, the NDP has an appalling record on trade. This is a party whose idea of trade promotion is to lead an anti-trade mission to Washington, D.C., to lobby against Canadian jobs and attack Canada's exporters. Despite the antics of the NDP, our government is delivering for Canadians. Today, Statistics Canada reported that in March, Canada's merchandise exports increased by 5%. While the NDP disparages Canada on the international stage, we are opening up new markets for Canadians.

International Trade April 23rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, the NDP has consistently opposed our agenda to create jobs in Canada and to drive economic growth through trade and investment.

On this side of the House we are going to continue to focus on the priorities of Canadians. Unfortunately, the NDP just does not get it. It is anti-trade and anti-investment. It has no credibility on those issues.

International Trade April 23rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, the NDP has consistently opposed our agenda to open up new markets for Canadian investors and exporters--

International Trade April 23rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, Canadian investors have applauded this treaty. It sets out a clear set of rules under which Canadians make investments in China. It also sets out a clear set of rules under which investment disputes are resolved. Sadly, the NDP is proving once again that it is opposed to trade and investment.

On this side of the House, we will continue to focus on the priorities of Canadians and not the special interest groups that the NDP represents.

International Trade April 23rd, 2013

Mr. Speaker, it is pretty rich, this coming from the NDP, a party that is looking to give special breaks to Chinese manufacturers but will not actually protect Canadians who want to invest in China.

This treaty is intended to create jobs and growth in Canada by protecting Canadian businesses in China. It will give Canadian investors in China the same types of protections that foreign investors presently have in Canada.

Our government has been clear. Unlike the NDP, our focus is on creating jobs and economic growth right here at home.

International Trade March 27th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, when the NDP talks about fair trade, it actually means no trade at all.

Let us think about this: the member for British Columbia Southern Interior recently said that trade agreements threaten the very existence of our nation.

What credibility—

International Trade March 27th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, it is a surprise to hear that question coming from the NDP. In fact, this is the first question the official critic for trade from the NDP has asked me about trade in four months.

When they claim that they are in favour—

International Trade March 27th, 2013

Mr. Speaker, it is pretty rich for NDP members to stand in this House and claim that they support trade.

They send their leader down to the United States, where he ignores all of the science on the Keystone XL project, undermines our efforts to grow our economy and badmouths Canadians and our economy. In fact, he asks Americans not to do business with Canada.

The NDP is not only anti-trade and not only anti-investment; now it is anti-science and anti-common sense. It has no credibility on trade.