Evidence of meeting #116 for International Trade in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was labour.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON
If I may, I have one last question on the same grounds.
You said, “There are no charities” in business. That's an interesting thing, because it is the right thing. I come from the private sector.
How come North American car manufacturers have stopped manufacturing small vehicles when friendly countries like Japan and Korea are still manufacturing small cars and continue to be profitable?
President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association
Those Korean and Japanese manufacturers manufacture those small vehicles in North America at a profit. So, inasmuch as that is North American investment by a western-based player, I'm not sure your characterization is correct.
Liberal
Chandra Arya Liberal Nepean, ON
Do you mean to say that major manufacturers like General Motors and Ford are North America-based? I thought the argument you used—“no charities” in business—was related to small car manufacturing, if I'm not wrong. However, you are only referring to the North American-owned car manufacturers.
President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association
I think you misunderstood the characterization of—
President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association
“There are no charities in business” means that, in the automotive business, they're all private companies. They're either private or publicly traded, but they have to produce a profit. Otherwise, there's no path forward. There's a difference. In China, you can be a major manufacturer or major supplier and not have profit as one of your dynamics.
I would say that I used “charities” in quotes. I'm sorry if you missed the nuance.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I think that's clear. Everybody understands exactly what Mr. Volpe meant.
We have to go to committee business, which takes a bit of time. Does anyone have an urgent question they need to get an answer on today?
I guess everybody is all right.
To our witnesses, thank you so very much for the information. We will take it forward. I'm sure you'll be keeping an eye on the work the committee is doing as we progress.
I will suspend while we go in camera.
[Proceedings continue in camera]