Thank you, Madam Chair.
Minister, thank you for being here today to discuss this important legislation alongside your impressive group of officials from Global Affairs.
I've been following this debate in the House very closely. It was my honour to speak to Bill C-57 during the second reading. I'm quite troubled to hear that the Conservative member for Cumberland-Colchester suggested that Canada was taking advantage of Ukraine by working with them on negotiating this so-called “woke” free trade agreement.
You've served as the minister responsible for international trade since 2019, and you have been around the table and shown leadership as part of these negotiations. I'd like to know, based on your experience, if you could respond further to the suggestion made by the Conservative member.