Mr. Speaker, let me thank my hon. friend for his interest in the free trade initiative of the Americas.
Under Canada's able chairmanship, I am happy to say that progress with those 34 countries is going well.
The ultimate aim is to create the largest free trade area in the world, which will be comprised of 34 nations, 800 million people and over $10 trillion.
As a result, we believe that Canada is strategically well placed, not only to participate, but to offer leadership to the free trade initiative.