International Trade Committee on Feb. 8th, 2018

Evidence of meeting #98 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 agreements.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

A Potential Agreement Between Canada and the Pacific Alliance: Consulting Canadians
Committee Business

MPs speaking

Mark Eyking
David Tilson
Dean Allison
Peter Fonseca
Tracey Ramsey
Karen Ludwig
Linda Lapointe
Kyle Peterson
Sukh Dhaliwal

Also speaking

David Lomas  Vice-President, Marketing and Business Development, Connors Bros. Clover Leaf Seafoods Company
Brian Innes  Vice-President, Public Affairs, Canola Council of Canada
Carlo Dade  Senior Fellow, School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, As an Individual
Claire Citeau  Executive Director, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance
Mathew Wilson  Senior Vice-President, Policy and Government Relations, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
Phil Cancilla  President of the Board of Directors, Mining Suppliers Trade Association Canada

10:40 a.m.

NDP

Tracey Ramsey NDP Essex, ON

I don't forget that.

10:40 a.m.

Senior Vice-President, Policy and Government Relations, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Mathew Wilson

Yes, I know. And how long have we been trying to get a new bridge built in Windsor, as a good example?

That's not just an automotive thing. I think half of our food exports go through that port as well. It's not just a perimeter port. Also, within NAFTA, it's critically important we support that trade infrastructure. It's not just the new Gordie Howe bridge. It's the 401 and everything that links to it. All of that is so important to drive our exports.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC

Can you give me your views on this new infrastructure bank that the government has put in? Is it going to help with the costs?

10:40 a.m.

Senior Vice-President, Policy and Government Relations, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Mathew Wilson

It should help. I guess we'll see what comes of it when it actually gets up and running, but it should help. Part of the problem we get into is a lot of short-term planning. This should look more at long-term strategic planning. That's our hope, anyway, that this is what it will do.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

Sukh Dhaliwal Liberal Surrey—Newton, BC

Thank you again for coming. We appreciate it.

10:40 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Mark Eyking

Thank you, Mr. Dhaliwal. That was perfect timing.

That wraps up our meeting this morning. Thank you, panellists, for your presentations, and thank you, MPs, for your good questions. There was good dialogue and good timing. It was a very productive morning, folks.

To the panellists, if you want a copy of our study, we'll be ready in a few months.

We'll see everybody Tuesday morning. The meeting is adjourned.