Evidence of meeting #125 for International Trade in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was industry.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Right.
How much time do I have? I'm probably pretty much out of it.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
Wow, did I get bonus time?
Mr. VanderVeen, how do you source your inputs? Are you going across borders more than once on the final product? What impact do any tariffs have on you because of that?
12:55 p.m.
President, Niagara Piston, Vineland Manufacturing and Maple Manufacturing, Court Holdings Manufacturing Limited
Yes. In both in our rail business and our automotive business we do source from two locations in the United States and then from Canada. We do have components that move across the border frequently—and I shouldn't say "frequently" but more than once—that go into our manufacturing facilities in the States and come back. The platform, which was established since the implementation of the Auto Pact and NAFTA has allowed us to do that.
Putting up barriers to stop that process sends ripples through the industry, uncertainty, and it also increases costs significantly. These costs, again, from a macro standpoint, will get passed down to the consumer. They're false increases within the economy that will drive prices up and demand increases in wages. The Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada will see the inflation and interest rates go up.
12:55 p.m.
President, Niagara Piston, Vineland Manufacturing and Maple Manufacturing, Court Holdings Manufacturing Limited
Again, to answer your question, lower the tariffs, eliminate them, allow us to compete on a world basis, and we'll do very well.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
Kyle Peterson Liberal Newmarket—Aurora, ON
There's no point.
Thank you, gentlemen, for being here. We appreciate your input.
Again, if you have anything else to add, please forward it to the committee before we do our final report.
12:55 p.m.
President, Niagara Piston, Vineland Manufacturing and Maple Manufacturing, Court Holdings Manufacturing Limited
Thank you very much.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking
Thank you, Mr. Peterson.
That wraps up our second round and we're at the end of today's meeting.
Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming. You represent companies, businesses and employees.
These are challenging times. Many witnesses have come forward with complaints and suggestions, and we're putting it all together in our study.
Thank you, again.
This ends today's meeting.