I'd like to talk about an issue of great concern to Canadian businesses to which U.S. businesses say they have decided to do business with an American supplier because they've been asked to do so. Mr. Obama told us that he would comply with international agreements, but he nevertheless said in an interview that he couldn't prevent a state governor or a mayor of a large city from making certain choices.
What specific efforts should Canada make to ensure that the idea of free trade and the rejection of protectionism can penetrate all decision-making levels responsible for corporate decisions and that we don't just have the words of a head of state, but an actual situation that ensures the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement willlast?