Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
As you're talking about agriculture, we can see all of the issues that we are having with international trade. I'm bringing to the committee a motion that Colin Carrie brought forward:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commence a study of no less than two meetings regarding the loss of Canada’s “Buy America” exemption and how it affects the ability of Canadian business to trade and win American procurement contracts, given that Mexico has retained their exemption; that the study commence no later than Thursday, May 16, 2019; and that based on the advice from witnesses, the Committee write a report to present to the House.
The reason I'm bringing this forward is that the President's executive order to “Buy American” will have a devastating impact on Canadian workers and companies whose main contracts are with the United States.
In my riding of Elgin-Middlesex-London, a company called IPEX Management Inc., a manufacturing facility, employs approximately 160 workers in London, Ontario. It is an example of a company that will be affected by the President's executive order.
As a leader in thermoplastic piping systems, IPEX Management Inc. designs and manufactures the largest, most recognized range of integrated piping products. These piping products are used for municipal, industrial, commercial and residential purposes throughout the continent. IPEX Management Inc.'s London facility exports 80% of its products to the United States. Last year, from almost $1 billion worth of sales, 80% of those goods went to the United States.
Recently, the London location invested $5 million in research and development with hopes of increasing productivity to the United States by 20%. The “Buy American” narrative will continue to be heard in the United States, risking Canadian workers and contracts because Canada did not obtain the same exemption that Mexico received under the USMCA. In the coming months, Canada will begin to see the impacts of the USMCA, and jobs will be lost.
I'm truly hoping that this committee will study this and see that the “Buy American” executive order put forward on January 31, 2019, with its 90-day period for implementation, will have a huge impact on not just my facility in London, Ontario, but on everybody, including farmers, like the ones here today.
Thank you very much.
