I think the free trade agreements provide strong support for exports on a large scale. In a way, those exports might become irrational. If a product that exists in Quebec is also available at a lower cost in another country far away, that product will be transported all the way here. The supposed savings may not be as significant, after all, because of all the external factors.
I think the issue of external factors must be taken into account in relation to exports and free trade agreements. We must ask ourselves what the impact is on the environment, on work, on working conditions. If we are constantly going after the lowest price, those factors are overlooked, but they may be extremely harmful to our local economy.
Choosing to favour short routes and the local economy is much healthier for the economy; it creates a lot more work and also makes it possible to fight climate change in a much more effective manner.