Mr. Speaker, the basic purpose of the trip was of course just that, to create jobs and increase prosperity in Canada.
In the case of Argentina, the mission led by the Prime Minister signed some $400 million in contracts; in the case of Brazil, some $600 million; and in the case of Chile, some $1.7 billion.
The Prime Minister was also able to assist Chile in furthering the accession of that country to NAFTA. Elsewhere in South America he was able to to give greater reality to our commitment to free trade throughout the western hemisphere.