Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good morning, everyone.
It's an honour to be here once again. It's another week, and here I am again. It's a very comfortable, familiar environment for me.
I do want to say, once again, thank you to all the members for the tremendous work you're doing. I miss my time here at this committee, because I know that the work you do reflects on and is very important to workers on the ground across Canada.
Last week, I was here to talk about the U.K.'s assention to the CPTPP, and here we are, today, to talk about Bill C-18, Canada's trade agreement with Indonesia.
At its core, trade policy is about opportunity. It's about who can reach new markets and who benefits when Canada succeeds. It is about connecting Canadian workers, businesses and communities to growth beyond our borders. It's also about strengthening the economic foundations that families across the country rely on every single day. That is the lens through which I approach this agreement, and this is why this work matters.
Indonesia is one of the most dynamic economies in the world today. It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia, a member of the G20, and home to nearly 280 million potential consumers. Indonesia sits at the meeting point of Southeast Asia and Oceania, and its scale is matched only by its cultural richness. Across its 17,000-plus islands, there are around 300 distinct ethnic groups altogether, speaking more than 700 languages. Indonesia has a young and growing population, a rising middle class and an economy that is diversifying at a rapid pace. Over the coming years, Indonesia is expected to become the world's largest economy. That growth is already reshaping global trade patterns and supply chains.
For Canada, this is a major opportunity and one we cannot afford to ignore. Indonesia's economy needs what Canada does best. From agriculture and agri-food to forestry, critical minerals, energy solutions, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and services, these are sectors in which Canadian businesses are competitive, innovative and globally trusted. As Indonesia invests in infrastructure, food security, sustainability and industrial development, Canadian companies are well positioned to partner in that growth, while creating jobs and prosperity here at home.
This agreement reflects a shared commitment to openness, co-operation and long-term economic partnership. It gives Canadian businesses the certainty they need to plan, invest and build lasting relationships in a fast-growing market that values reliability and, of course, quality. By deepening our ties with Indonesia now, we are creating pathways for Canadian exporters to grow alongside Indonesia's economy, translating demand abroad into investments, innovation and jobs here at home.
However, opportunity alone is not enough: Access matters. With this agreement, we reduce barriers, establish clear rules and give Canadian businesses the confidence they need to compete and win globally. When doors open in markets like Indonesia, jobs are created and protected in Canada. That connection is real and direct. When a Canadian farmer exports canola, wheat or pulses to Indonesia, it supports jobs not only on the farm but at the grain elevator, the rail yard, the port and the processing facility. When Indonesia buys Canadian lumber, pulp or paper, it sustains employment in logging communities, keeps sawmills humming, supports trucking and rail operations, and drives activity at ports and packaging plants across the country. For millions of Canadians whose livelihoods depend on exports, market access can mean the difference between growth and stagnation, between expansion and uncertainty, and those impacts are felt in communities across our country.
This agreement is also about Canada's long-term future in the Indo-Pacific, one of the fastest-growing regions of the world. Strengthening our partnerships with Indonesia helps build resilient supply chains, deepens relationships with trusted partners and ensures that Canadian workers and businesses are connected to opportunities on every continent.
Simply, we pursue trade because it delivers for Canadians. We do this work for workers whose jobs depend on global markets. We do this work for families that rely on strong local economies. We do this work because the benefits of trade reach every corner of our country. With every opportunity we expand, every partnership we strengthen and every door we open for Canadian workers and businesses, we are building a stronger Canada.
I think it's very important, for today's conversation, that we focus on the workers on the ground who will be impacted by our FTAs with many countries around the world, but especially with Indonesia.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I look forward to your questions.
