I think what we have to do is look at the global situation, and we have to look outwards. It's very important that Canada has a progressive internationalist position so that the gains from trade can be equitably distributed across the country and also in the international system. There is a progressive alternative for an international position that could develop fair trade policies that bring about justice in the international system and do not entrench increasing income inequality within Canada, regional disparities, and also an unequal kind of world order in which we find ourselves very, very closely approximating the policies that come out of the United States' administration at the moment and acting de facto in terms of a customs union without actually ever announcing the fact. We seem to be increasingly acting as if we have already created a customs union in North America.
On February 13th, 2008. See this statement in context.