Government Operations Committee on April 23rd, 2009

[Larry Bagnell, Liberal, Yukon, YT]

Do any of the recent free trade agreements, or the ones under negotiation right now, have any affect on you?

[Ron van Wachem]

Yes, they will, I believe. At some point, I think we'll see oil and gas, the exploration at least, or seismic activity, happen on the west coast. I'm worried that if there's something signed with Norway, we may have Norwegian vessels being built and sent to Canada, especially when our small and medium-sized enterprises have been so hurt on the west coast because of government procurement. It's one of the only building programs we see on the west coast right now due to the local forestry. There are no tugs or barges being built here right now. It is very disconcerting that we might have Korean or Norwegian vessels coming into Canada when oil and gas picks up on the west coast. We're hoping that doesn't happen, and we would like to see the government talk about those types of issues with us.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

Thank you, Mr. Bagnell.

Seeing no further questions, I'm going to thank you, Mr. van Wachem, for the candour and thoroughness of your brief. It's great to hear the perspective of the west coast on this.

I've taken note of the likely recent completion of a study by Industry Canada on west coast shipbuilding and repair with reference to SMEs. And there was a lot of interest around the table; I can say that as well. In the House of Commons there was definitely an appetite for shipbuilding issues right around the country.

I want to thank you very much. I'm sorry we were a little delayed in getting to you, but your submissions are very helpful to us, and we thank you again.

[Ron van Wachem]

Thank you very much. I appreciate your taking the time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Derek Lee]

Looking around the table, I think we can wrap up. Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.