Evidence of meeting #12 for COVID-19 Pandemic in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was report.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Chair, will the minister commit not to raise taxes after the crisis?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, I have said several times that we do not have a plan to raise taxes. That's very important.
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Finally a clear answer! However, I'm not convinced that he will apply it.
In fact, the Parliamentary Budget Officer himself has said that “there isn't much ammunition left without shifting into a large structural deficit”, which can lead directly to tax increases.
If the Minister of Finance can't even say today what the deficit is today, how can he be credible when he says that he won't raise taxes?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, I think what's most important is that during this pandemic, Canadians and companies across the country need the Government of Canada's help. That is our approach. That way, we will have an economy that will function in the future. Of course, this is important for future generations.
Conservative
Conservative
Gérard Deltell Conservative Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Mr. Chair, all observers are expecting an economic update to know where we're going. When will that happen?
Liberal
Bill Morneau Liberal Toronto Centre, ON
Mr. Chair, we want our economic update to be accurate. That's why we are looking at information that allow us to make good forecasts.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Chair, the United States, Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Vietnam have created an economic prosperity group to diversify some of their key supply chains away from China. Canada has a free trade agreement with six of these seven countries. Why are we not part of this group?
Mary Ng LiberalMinister of Small Business
Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for that question.
Indeed, we have been working diligently with all of these countries to make sure that we are keeping global supply chains open during this critical time. I think everyone agrees that keeping supply chains open for medical goods, critical agriculture and essential goods is absolutely essential and—
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Chair, this government is refusing to come to terms with what COVID-19 will mean for the future of international trade. Why is Canada not at the table with our largest trading partner protecting the viability of our international supply chains and capitalizing on the opportunities of others doing the same?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anthony Rota
Before we go to the minister, one of the members has his mike still on, and I would ask that he turn it off. I am hearing background noise.
The hon. minister.
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, Canada has unprecedented access to a number of markets around the world because of the extraordinary agreements that we have made to provide access to customers in those international markets. During COVID-19, we have been working with our G20 partners. I have had two meetings with G20 trade ministers on the importance of keeping supply chains—
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Chair, is this payback for the Prime Minister snubbing these countries at the original TPP signing?
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, we have a CPTPP arrangement with these countries, and we are looking forward to making sure that we get Canadian businesses growing into those markets.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Chair, the U.K. will begin applying tariffs at the beginning of next year on Canadian exports such as seafood, beef and cars. These are the items that have had tariffs removed under CETA.
Will the government commit to having a new trade agreement with the U.K. in place by January 1?
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, we are monitoring the situation very carefully. The U.K., of course, is a very important trading partner for Canada. They are in discussions right now. I want to assure Canadian businesses that CETA continues to apply to our trade with the U.K. during this period while they go through Brexit.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Chair, after CUSMA, this government guaranteed to the trade committee that they would publish the objectives of any new trade agreement. When will we see these objectives published and actually have a chance to view them?
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, we look forward to working to ensure that those objectives are published as we get into future trade discussions.
Conservative
Randy Hoback Conservative Prince Albert, SK
Mr. Chair, the resignation of the WTO director-general at this unprecedented time is concerning for the international trade community. Is the government committed to supporting a DG candidate who is dedicated to the massive reforms needed to get the WTO functioning again?
Liberal
Mary Ng Liberal Markham—Thornhill, ON
Mr. Chair, I want to thank the hon. member for that good question. The Ottawa group, led by Canada, is working with like-minded countries on the reform of the WTO. We've been doing this work and we continue to do this work. I look forward to making sure that we are leading the way on those discussions with like-minded—