Evidence of meeting #54 for Natural Resources in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was know.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Okay. Then are you saying that Michael Froman, the former U.S. trade representative, misspoke?
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
All right.
Can you explain why, or why you think, the four largest producers were not hit with retroactive duties?
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
I can't explain the actions of the United States Department of Commerce. I can only respond to them in a way that's in the best interests of our producers, our communities, and our workers.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Did the Government of Canada ask for any exemptions at the negotiating table?
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
You're asking a question about a previous negotiation, and I can't answer that question.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Has the government done an economic impact analysis of the state of our forestry industry and how many job losses are expected?
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
We believe there is a range, but it's very difficult to be precise, because we don't yet know the quantum of the anti-dumping duties that will be levelled in June. Any number I could give you would only be a guess, and I don't think that's healthy.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Is the government pushing the U.S. commerce department to hold the duties, as was done in the previous SLA trade war?
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
I know that Minister Freeland is in frequent contact with Secretary Ross. They speak often.
Conservative
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
It's Minister Freeland's, but I'm telling you something that should add value to the conversation, namely, that she has this continuing conversation with him. Just so members of the committee understand, and I think it's important that you do, it is Minister Freeland's job, as the minister responsible for Canada–U.S. trade relations, to negotiate an agreement on softwood lumber. It is my job, as Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, to respond to any countervail in order to protect workers, communities, and producers.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Minister, are Canada's re–manufacturers included in the small producers?
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
What are they? I'm sorry, I don't understand the question.
Conservative
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Re-manufacturers? I have to take that under advisement.
Anybody?
You've flummoxed an entire department. We'll get back to you.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Minister, they've been asking questions. They met with Global Affairs recently and they're not receiving any answers on that. As a matter of fact, they're curtailing their shipments because they are not getting any answers either. They've been asking for over 18 months.
Liberal
Liberal
Denis Lemieux Liberal Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister.
As you might have guessed, I had many questions for you about softwood lumber, but my fellow members, Mr. Harvey and Mr. Cannings, beat me to it.
Minister, in Budget 2017, the Government of Canada extended the 15% mineral exploration tax credit for an additional year, until March 31, 2018. That was one of the committee's recommendations on Canada's mining industry.
Minister, given that the credit reduces the tax burden on mining companies and that, in 2015 alone, more than 200 companies issued eligible flow-through shares, can you tell us how extending it will promote further mineral exploration? How will it encourage job growth in the mining sector?
Liberal
Jim Carr Liberal Winnipeg South Centre, MB
I thank you for the question. I know that it's become an annual event at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada meeting to announce this. I had the pleasure of announcing it this year to—I must tell you—an appreciative crowd, and they're appreciative for a good reason, because it's very important.
We know that this tax credit is doing an awful lot to enhance the capability of juniors to do the exploration they need. We recognized that recent commodity market improvements are tenuous, and the tax credit will help junior mineral exploration companies raise capital, particularly to finance the early-stage exploration that is vital to the creation of future mines. We believe that this kind of incentive, this kind of measure, also recognizes the importance of the industry in the mix of Canada's resource economy. It's always good to be able to prove that a measure actually yields results. In the case of this measure, we can do that, so I was pleased, for the second year in a row, to announce the extension of the 15% mineral exploration tax credit.
