I know that Minister Freeland has been criss-crossing the country talking to industry coast to coast to coast, and she has a very good understanding of the various points of view that are being expressed. By the way, it's not one point of view. As you know better than I do, especially in that world, it's the job of the Government of Canada to adopt a negotiating position that on balance and in all circumstances is the best position for Canada to put forward. We also know that this is a tricky file. We know that it's important to have the influence and the buy-in of the President and the Prime Minister. We saw evidence of that in Washington on March 12. There is now a mandate for officials to come back within 100 days, and our department acts as a support for Minister Freeland as she begins to negotiate with the United States. We'll stay close to her, and I would like to stay close to you and other members of Parliament who have an important financial stake, industrial capacity, in the forest industries in your parts of the country to ensure that we're putting the best position forward on behalf of Canada.
On April 11th, 2016. See this statement in context.