Good day, Mr. Emerson.
You recently demonstrated to us that international trade was a priority of yours, not just an election campaign issue. Congratulations on taking this position.
However, regardless of how the government, or a department such as yours, performs, the public tends to judge us on the basis of the number of jobs lost in certain sectors. The public tends to be critical of our performance when job losses occur. Regardless of our overall policies, if people lose their jobs, the government gets a negative rating. People wonder why it is not doing more to protect their jobs.
This brings me around to the bicycle manufacturing sector in which many jobs have been lost as a result of bicycle imports. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal did an in-depth review of the situation and found that, as you most likely know, domestic production has declined by 23% and that 259,000 fewer units were produced in this country. The situation is serious indeed. The CITT therefore ruled that Canada should impose safeguard measures of $400, and less in the case of bicycles of lesser value, to protect the bicycle manufacturing sector and to save jobs.
One industry located in the minister's own riding sustained heavy job losses. In response to a question in the House, you stated that you wanted to keep prices as low as possible for consumers. However, that's a difficult choice to make when Canadian workers are losing their jobs.
Could you clarify your position on this matter? Why are you refusing to enforce the CITT's ruling?