Evidence of meeting #41 for International Trade in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was japanese.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Ken Ilasz  Owner, Boulanger Bassin Bed and Breakfast
John Tak  Vice-President, International Business, Factors Group of Nutritional Companies Inc.
Dana Hayden  Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, Government of British Columbia
Henry Van Ankum  Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario
Erin Fletcher  Manager, Public Affairs and Communication, Grain Farmers of Ontario

12:50 p.m.

Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, Government of British Columbia

Dana Hayden

We have not done any modelling provincially to allow us to come to such a number. We do intend to do that analysis now that Canada has announced its intention to advance the negotiations. I don't have a particular B.C.-specific benefit number. We've looked at the federal government's analysis. We know in general what the benefit is for Canada, as described.

We do think, though, that British Columbia, as Canada's gateway to Asia, is very interested in the Asian economies generally, so we're very interested in India, in China, in Japan, and in South Korea, to name four primary ones. While we haven't done the economic analysis with respect to an agreement with Japan per se, we are very interested in the Government of Canada establishing trade agreements in Asia, because we think that by waiting as long as we have to enter into negotiations with Asian countries, we have lost an advantage that the U.S. and other countries have obtained.

Often, the first agreement signed, or the first relationship, gives a competitive advantage to those other countries that we feel we have been losing ground to, so notwithstanding the fact that we haven't done an economic analysis specific to Japan, we're very interested in the India trade negotiations. We're very interested in Japan. We'd very much like to see Canada enter into negotiations with China because of the strategic importance of any one of those agreements in terms of advancing Canada's opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.

12:50 p.m.

Conservative

Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON

Thank you.

As you might know, along those lines, we did sign an historic agreement, a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement, or FIPA, with China in February, so I think the willingness on behalf of the Asian countries to do business with Canada is certainly there, and they've demonstrated that repeatedly.

12:50 p.m.

Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, Government of British Columbia

Dana Hayden

I think so.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON

But I want to commend you and the good province of British Columbia for the leadership role you are playing in helping us promote Canada abroad, specifically to Asia.

How is my time, Mr. Chairman?

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

I think you're pretty well there.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

Costas Menegakis Conservative Richmond Hill, ON

We're there? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Ms. Hayden.

12:55 p.m.

Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, Government of British Columbia

Dana Hayden

Thank you very much.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

On behalf of the committee, I certainly want to thank all three of you for being here, Mr. Van Ankum, Erin Fletcher, and Ms. Hayden, and for your testimony. It has been of great value. I certainly appreciate you taking the time to be with us.

With that, normally we would suspend the meeting and go in camera to deal with a quick little budget on the Colombia agreement. The agreement has already been.... We've already agreed to do this. It's a very standard budget, so I'd just ask for a quick motion on that and we'll make it happen.

I see that Mr. Shipley has moved it. All in favour?

(Motion agreed to)

Again, thank you very much for your testimony.

12:55 p.m.

Deputy Minister, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, Government of British Columbia

Dana Hayden

Thank you very much.

12:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield

The meeting is adjourned.