Since Mr. Cannings is off, it gives me an opportunity to move a motion that was put on notice by my colleague Mr. Seeback on Tuesday, June 11. Maybe Mr. Cannings will make it before we have to vote.
I'll read the motion into the record:
That, given the large workload the committee has on the docket, the committee instruct the chair to book five meetings between July 8 and September 13, to deal with unfinished business and pressing matters facing Canadians, such as the impact of the government's cap-and-trade system, EV plant fabrication using offshore steel and other pressing matters as they emerge.
I won't prolong the debate too much. I'll even offer to come here after the Stampede, if you need me to substitute for one of our members on this side, because I'd be especially interested in talking about EV plant fabrication using offshore steel. I have fabricators in my riding who would be affected. They were working on the TMX pipeline for many years. They all were at risk of losing their jobs when Kinder Morgan gave up on the pipeline when this government decided to basically expropriate through regulation and make it really difficult to build it.
There's a report by the PBO that says that the three companies that have received federal government monies will receive $43.6 billion in total from the taxpayer. I really wonder how much of that will be going to Canadians to build those plants and to ensure that Canadian taxpayer dollars go to them. That would be worthy of study over the summer to understand how many of those jobs are affected by it. There are also all of the government's different environmental regulations that have trade impact.
I was also surprised to note that when the minister was here, there was a claim that somehow national security was not connected to trade. But they're very much integral. The USTR, the trade representative, for the past however many years, whenever you go on the White House website, will link the two closely together. Section 232 tariffs feature very prominently in Robert Lighthizer's book. The entire conversation in that entire book for USMCA negotiations is strictly about the national security needs of the United States government and its wishes.
I just found it completely baffling that the minister didn't understand that connection. If we're going to have to renegotiate the deal by 2026, this has really deep implications. The minister doesn't even understand that fact, or understand who may be on the other side of the negotiating table. Whether it's a Democrat or Republican, it really doesn't matter. They have kind of converged on the matter of China policy. I will say, as vice-chair of the Canada–People’s Republic of China committee, that we look at national security and trade issues that affect it.
I think it's worthy that the committee should return over the summer, meet in person and continue the good work that it has done so far.
Thank you, Chair.
