Madam Speaker, I was somewhat surprised recently when United States President Bill Clinton was unsuccessful in getting backing from Congress to give him a so-called fast track authority to negotiate expansion of the North American Free Trade Agreement. I wondered where that left Canada.
The federal government worked tremendously hard to ensure that the Canadian economy continues to have solid foundations.
Accordingly, I believe that Canada must be diligent in ensuring that we follow our own agenda to further trade liberalization in the Americas. There is tremendous trade potential in this hemisphere for Canada. It is important that with the global economy becoming more and more interconnected that we do not watch from the sidelines.
Rather, we need to pursue with vigour trade agreements and investment co-operation agreements which will be beneficial to Canada and to all Canadians.
Will the parliamentary secretary outline precisely what Canada intends to do to continue to seek trade agreements with countries in our hemisphere?