International Trade Committee on March 27th, 2023

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I'm looking forward to the budget tomorrow. The finance minister and I talked, about a budget ago, about the importance of reciprocal procurement between both countries: “We buy from you as much as you buy from us.” That principle of being able to support our Canadian companies to compete and grow in Canada is very much something I'm seized with. It's the Canada growth fund, by the way, which will foster that kind of growth.

We want to make sure we're supporting these very Canadian companies, so that they continue to build their operations here.

I believe that, in the resilience of the supply chain work that we talked about earlier, and certainly between Canada and the U.S., we're going to need to do this work together. Make no mistake—fostering Canadian companies to grow and scale as Canadian companies is at the very heart of what I spend every single day thinking about and working on.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

You have 58 seconds remaining, Mr. Cannings.

[Richard Cannings, NDP, South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Okay. Thanks.

I'll just move on to a similar situation in the city of Trail in my riding. There's a big lead and zinc smelter, and there's a cluster of companies around that smelter that specialize in battery recycling because the smelter is there. One of them is probably the biggest recycler of lead acid batteries—the batteries you find in regular cars and trucks—in western North America. Another one is the world leader in lithium battery recycling.

The one that does the lithium battery recycling was just bought out by an American company because they saw the advantage in getting this technology and getting these processes. They'll be staying in Trail, but that company will be taking that process and building plants in the United States.

It's the same question: These companies are looking for Canadian investments and help from the Canadian government. They don't seem to be getting it. I'm just wondering where the disconnect is.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

I'm sorry, Mr. Cannings. You're about 30 seconds over. We really don't have time for an answer, but I think you made your point to the minister.

Mr. Seeback, you have five minutes, please.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Thanks, Madam Chair.

I want to get back to softwood lumber.

I think you said today that it's a priority for you to resolve the softwood lumber dispute. Is that correct, Minister?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

It has always been my priority, yes.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

My understanding is that, in January of 2022, the softwood lumber industry asked you to appoint a special envoy or a lead negotiator. This was in January 2022. It's been 15 months since then.

Have you appointed a lead negotiator or a special envoy to resolve this very important dispute?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I continue to have conversations and discussions with the industry. I look forward to continuing to work with them on a solution for softwood.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

It's not a trick question. Have you appointed an envoy or a lead negotiator?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I'm looking forward to working with the industry and I'll continue to do so.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Please, ask your questions through the chair.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Madam Chair, it's not a difficult question.

I'm asking if you have appointed an envoy or a lead negotiator. It's a simple yes or no.

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I'm going to keep working with the industry. This work continues.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

That's an incredible evasion of responsibility by a minister in answering a question, Madam Chair.

Eight billion dollars in duties have been collected since then. Under the last settlement, $6 billion would be coming to Canadian companies. The market share has gone from 34% to 25%. I think you and I have a different definition of making something a priority for resolution.

Have you spoken to your U.S. counterparts about appointing a special envoy or lead negotiator to resolve this dispute?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I speak to my U.S. counterpart all the time about Canadian trade.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Have you spoken to them about appointing a special envoy or a lead negotiator—one from Canada and one from the United States?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I think I said this earlier in the area of Canada-U.S. trade. We're exceptionally proud that $2.5 billion goes across the border every day. We're really pleased that we renegotiated CUSMA to ensure that there are mechanisms in there to allow for both sides to deal with issues that arise from time to time.

Softwood, of course, is a really important issue. It's really important to the Canadian economy. There are many workers in the sector, whom we care deeply about. It is an issue that I'll keep working on.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

Through the chair, Minister, I'm finding this incredibly insulting to this committee. I've now asked you two direct questions, which are simple. They require a yes-or-no answer. You are refusing to answer them.

I'm going to ask this again: Have you discussed with your U.S. counterparts appointing a special envoy or a lead negotiator, like the softwood industry in Canada asked you to do 15 months ago?

[Mary Ng, Liberal, Markham—Thornhill, ON]

I have talked to the United States trade representative about softwood lumber. I've talked to the President about softwood lumber. I've talked to other interlocutors. I think I was speaking to a congressperson the other day about Canadian softwood lumber and the issue with the Americans.

The answer is yes. I talk to the Americans about softwood lumber at every opportunity I have.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

That actually wasn't the question. I didn't ask you if you spoke to them. I assume you've spoken to them in eight years. Otherwise, it's a complete dereliction of your responsibility.

My question was whether you have raised the issue of special envoys with the United States—yes or no.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, on a point of order—

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Mr. Seeback, the minister has attempted to answer the question several times. I suggest you move on to another question.

[Kyle Seeback, Conservative, Dufferin—Caledon, ON]

With all due respect, Madam Chair, she has not answered the question. I have asked her if she spoke about a specific issue, and she has not answered that question. I'm entitled to keep asking that question, and I'm going to keep asking that question.

Did you speak to your United States counterpart about appointing a special envoy as requested by the softwood lumber industry in Canada?

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Madam Chair, on a point of order, I believe an issue has arisen. You just made a ruling, and now we have the member not following the ruling.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

You have 55 seconds remaining.