Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, gentlemen, for your presentation.
In the presentation that was provided to the committee there was a quote that really stuck out in my mind. It says “the impact has been positive in terms of economic growth, employment, the range of economic activity conducted in Canada, per capita income, and the quality of life”.
The presentation regarding this Canada-North America economic collaboration and its effects on our economy, the industry, and the welfare and lives of Canadians is something that I had some discussions about with my constituents in my riding of Kelowna—Lake Country, doing some research. The average Canadian can pick up the newspaper. There was an article yesterday that said this trend towards globalization “has led to fears of a hollowing out of Canada's business sector in which head offices are packed off to New York or Boston or Atlanta with a subsequent loss of high-paying executive positions, investment, jobs and research in Canada—all adding up to a loss of economic independence.”
For the average Canadian citizen who reads that, or one of my constituents, how do I square off these two statements? Are we at risk of losing our independence, or is Canada-North America economic collaboration good for Canadians and Canada?
Mr. Burger, or whoever would like to answer that.