Evidence of meeting #20 for Foreign Affairs and International Development in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was security.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Hon. Steven Guilbeault Liberal Steven Guilbeault
Thank you, Minister.
I know my question may sound a bit like the one some of my colleagues have asked, but can you explain to the committee why the government believes it needs these changes?
How are the tools we currently have inadequate to face this changing context?
Liberal
The Hon. Anita Anand Liberal Anita Anand
It’s true that Canada has a strong tool kit to ensure its economic security, including laws and enforcement mechanisms aimed at detecting crimes, preserving natural resources—I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your hard work on that—protecting intellectual property, promoting trade and addressing various types of economic coercion.
This is another tool for us. We already have mechanisms in place, but we need to defend our economy and ensure that we have the legislative capacity to respond to economic shocks.
As my honourable colleague mentioned, it’s true that there’s a process for issuing orders, but by adding these words to the law, we would have another mechanism to respond to international economic shocks from a legislative perspective.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ahmed Hussen
Thank you very much.
We go next to MP Brunelle-Duceppe.
You have two and a half minutes.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
During the last round of questions, Minister, you told me that what was signed in China was not an agreement.
Is that right?
Liberal
The Hon. Mona Fortier Liberal Mona Fortier
Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.
I would like to know what the connection is between this question and the conversation we’re having today. We’re supposed to be focusing on specific elements. I just want to check whether it’s relevant.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Chair, we’re talking about trade agreements, and provisions that will impact agreements related to supply chains, imports and exports. I think it’s relevant.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ahmed Hussen
I will give the members a bit of leeway, but please try to stick to the parameters.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
I hope I haven’t lost any speaking time.
Minister, did you really tell me that there was no agreement?
Liberal
The Hon. Anita Anand Liberal Anita Anand
I said that we needed to diversify our supply chains. That said, we need to resolve the tensions—
Bloc
Liberal
Bloc
Liberal
Liberal
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
It's really frustrating to be laughed at like that. It’s mind-blowing. It’s a total lack of respect on your part.
During the last round of questions, you told me that it wasn't an agreement. I will quote the statement that was published on the Prime Minister's page on January 16: “To renew and strengthen that relationship, Prime Minister Carney and President Xi secured a[n]…agreement-in-principle….”
For me, an agreement-in-principle is pretty much the same thing as an agreement. Let's stop playing with words. We’re bringing in 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles through this trade agreement, and we know full well that some of the components of these vehicles come from the forced labour of Uyghurs in the Chinese supply chain.
When you tell me that forced labour is unacceptable and you sign a trade agreement that brings goods made from forced labour into Canada, you’re contradicting yourself.
Liberal
The Hon. Mona Fortier Liberal Mona Fortier
Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.
I'm sorry, but we're talking here about trade agreements. We’re not really talking about the Export and Import Permits Act. I just want to understand how we can—
Bloc
Liberal
The Hon. Steven Guilbeault Liberal Steven Guilbeault
If I may, Mr. Chair, I'd like to add something concerning my colleague’s point of order.
I understand that the member opposite may not be getting the answers he’d like to have, but the minister has provided answers, with all due respect. They may not be the answers he wants, but that's not a reason to say what he has just said to the minister.
Bloc
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe Bloc Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
I have my reasons, and you have yours.
I’ll go back to what I was saying. If you want, I can go back to the clauses.
How will the amendments to the law being discussed today help block the importing of products made from forced labour in supply chains?
Liberal
The Hon. Anita Anand Liberal Anita Anand
Our foreign policy includes measures to ensure that we protect our values and human rights, while diversifying our supply chains. We continue to ensure that we have the right tools to protect our economic interests.
As I said, we continue to emphasize the importance of human rights. That’s clear, and I hope everyone here understands it. Our government is able to advance several measures at the same time, whether in the area of human rights or international law. Furthermore, for our country and our fellow Canadians, we must build one national economy. I hope everyone can see that.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ahmed Hussen
Thank you.
We're way over time.
I go next to MP Mantle.
You have five minutes.
February 3rd, 2026 / 4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, in your opening statement and in many of your interventions, you spoke about upholding Canadian values here at home and abroad. Would you agree that includes things like free expression and association, protection from unreasonable search, etc.?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ahmed Hussen
Again, I'm happy to allow at least some leeway for the first question, but let's please try to stick to the topic at hand, which are the import and export changes.
Conservative
Jacob Mantle Conservative York—Durham, ON
I directly referenced the minister's opening comments. If that's not relevant, then....