Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the minister and his staff for attending with us this morning. Your comments have been very helpful.
I've been on this committee for close to four years. Through that time, I have seen a change on this committee. There was a time when the Liberal Party was very supportive of our trade initiatives. I'm feeling a wavering of that support, which is quite disappointing. It's almost as if they've taken the position of “trade if necessary but not necessarily trade”. I think that's exceptionally disappointing, from what I've heard from my young colleague opposite here.
Minister, I think this committee should be in violent agreement about what trade means for Canada. You made the point, and I'd like to emphasize, that almost 65% of our gross domestic product is predicated on trade--65%.
When I hear you talk about our relationship to the United States, it prompts two questions, please, Minister.
Acknowledging that since NAFTA came into play—and we have some detractors around this table with respect to NAFTA—the trade we have done between our countries has tripled. If I'm right, it's reaching close to $1 trillion. You've emphasized trade with the United States several times. I think we're their biggest trading market in some 35 of the 50 states. Could you expand on that a little more?
The other piece I'd like to understand a little better is the shared vision for perimeter security and the impact that will have on trade from your perspective.
I would appreciate responses in both those areas, please.