International Trade Committee on Nov. 6th, 2025

[Steeve Lavoie, Liberal, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you, Ms. Dickinson.

My next question is for you, Ms. Fortin LeFaivre.

I'll ask you the same question I asked all the witnesses.

I myself am a former president of a chamber of commerce, and before that, I was a banker. The word I used most often during those 25 years was “predictability.” If we want businesses to invest, we need forecasts, especially with regard to repayment, which is an important factor for a banker.

You and your colleague also talked a lot about abolishing customs duties and strengthening agreements. We, too, would like to see customs duties abolished.

In today's context, where unpredictability has become the new norm and will remain so, what should the government do? We must continue to move forward, help our businesses, and develop our economy. What would be needed, or what would you advise?

[Catherine Fortin LeFaivre]

That's a big question.

We want a good, cross-party Team Canada that considers feedback from the business community. We would like to play a greater role in helping the government reach an agreement.

As you say, it goes without saying that we want to eliminate tariffs. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has expressed its opinion on many measures. Obviously, we want to invest in industries and infrastructure in Canada. We also want to diversify markets. We are encouraged by the many measures in the budget to help businesses of all sizes explore opportunities overseas, including investments through chambers of commerce in Europe. These are good things.

On the one hand, we need to invest in our relationship with the United States, because it's obviously not going away. On the other hand, we need to accelerate the development of our trade relations and opportunities outside the United States.

[Steeve Lavoie, Liberal, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

The current government program, which aims to double diversification over 10 years, is a good program that is heading in the right direction, wouldn't you agree?

[Catherine Fortin LeFaivre]

It's definitely a step in the right direction. I would add that we need to ensure that these programs are implemented effectively. The government cannot do this alone, so it is essential to have the support of businesses and the business community.

We would like to work more closely with you to ensure that these programs are properly developed and evaluated, and to make adjustments if they are not working.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

[Steeve Lavoie, Liberal, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Mr. Savard-Tremblay, you have six minutes, please.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you to the witnesses.

Ms. Dickinson, you are a member of the Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.

Could you tell us a little more about the council's activities? How do you get involved? Do you often meet with the government? How do you carry out your work?

[Arlene Dickinson]

Prior to this last short while, we were meeting, but we haven't met recently. Obviously, the Prime Minister and the government have been really busy, so we haven't met recently, but there have been good consultations going on in terms of giving the government feedback from different sectors and different varieties of opinions on how we can actually work more effectively in the trade negotiations.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Apart from that, what measures are being taken?

Meetings were mentioned, but I want to know what measures the council is taking.

[Arlene Dickinson]

Our role is to advise and to give input. Our role is not to execute on that input. We are there to give advice.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Are there also contacts? Is maintaining contacts with similar American organizations part of your mission?

[Arlene Dickinson]

I think every one of the people who are on the council has a different role to play in terms of their associations and connections with entrepreneurs and industry leaders across the globe and not just in the U.S. Some of us have good connections in the U.S., but that's certainly not a mandate of the council.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Do you know if there's an American equivalent? Is there some kind of special council, like yours, appointed exclusively by the White House?

[Arlene Dickinson]

Not that I'm aware of.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

I know this is not part of your mandate, but what are you hearing from the Americans?

[Arlene Dickinson]

I'm sorry. Who would be on the...? Could you clarify the question for me? I'm sorry.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

You said that your board had contacts on the American side, didn't you?

[Arlene Dickinson]

Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I'm talking specifically in my case. The industry leaders that I work with have nothing to do with the council. They're just the people I work with and engage with on a regular basis in the course of my day-to-day business.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

In your field, what are you hearing on the American side?

[Arlene Dickinson]

That's in my field, yes.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

What are you hearing on the American side in your field?

[Arlene Dickinson]

For the most part, I would say that the people we're speaking to also want to see better trade negotiations happening and see things opened up and see better relationships with Canada, although there are polarized views on both sides. There are people who are very adamant about protecting American jobs and production, and there are also people on the Canadian side who feel equally strongly. Trying to find that middle ground is very important in these negotiations, trying to find out how we can do an effective job of working more effectively together amidst what's really a very difficult circumstance.

[Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Bloc, Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot—Acton, QC]

Did the Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations—of which you are a member—make any specific recommendations on the management of retaliatory tariffs?

[Arlene Dickinson]

As I've said, we have not met recently. We haven't met for the past few months, so there has been no advice recently in that regard.