Evidence of meeting #18 for International Trade in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was industry.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
I need to clarify on the record, because I'm hearing muttering around the table—
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
In fact, we are the 10th largest city in Canada, but do note, colleagues, that Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge came as a unit. To repeat my guest's testimony, he said there were three cities and three mayors, and they were ahead of us, so just for the point.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Well, you can freeze the time, but I do have a point of order.
Conservative
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Yes. I was informed last week that actually London is Canada's 11th biggest city, so I just think—
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
Chair, just because my friend comes from a very large city and he wants to denigrate great cities like London, Ontario, I'm very disappointed.
I would say, Mr. Jung, my sense is that your organization is stronger as a result of London being a part of it.
Mr. Lewis-Manning, first I'd like to thank you for your service. Your years as commander of HMCS Vancouver and your commitment to Canada is sincerely appreciated. On behalf of all of us, I want to extend our gratitude to you for what you've done and express our deepest respect.
I have a question for you. I thought your information was interesting. I thought the only issue about supply management initially was cheese, but I almost got the sense, hearing your testimony, that we're talking about Canadian vessels almost as a supply management issue. I know you wouldn't want to talk about it like that because it really begs the question, I suppose, can you imagine that the shipping industry.... Let's say within the Canadian perspective where you have your relationships, are there some opportunities for growth in there as a result of CETA?
President, Canadian Shipowners Association
We'd like to think so. We would like more information about the agreement so we can make that accurate assessment.
Conservative
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
It was interesting. It was the first deal I was involved with when I came on this committee five-plus years ago. The biggest challenge we had was the country of Norway, which is not part of the European Union as far as these discussions go. We put in a very extended deliberation before they could compete in Canada.
Do you know how long that was, just out of interest?
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
It was actually 17 years. We did that because we wanted to ensure that we would allow the shipbuilding industry in Canada to grow and prosper and have opportunities to bring in and adapt to competition. We had some very strong positive responses from the shipbuilders as a result of that accommodation, because we're trying to be sensitive to the realities that Norway, as powerful as they are—
Conservative
Ed Holder Conservative London West, ON
We wanted a fair compete.
Do you feel confident in the quality of Canada's shipbuilding that we can compete with them?
President, Canadian Shipowners Association
The quick answer is I don't represent shipbuilders, but my impression of the Canadian shipbuilding industry is it's gaining its expertise and credibility for the long term and it will be a good thing for Canada.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Merrifield
Very good, thank you.
Madame Liu, the floor is yours for three minutes.
NDP
Laurin Liu NDP Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Thank you to our witnesses for coming in today.
Coming from the city of Montreal, I certainly understand the importance of our innovation sectors. I guess the big city slickers are on this side.