Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House to speak on this particular issue. It is maybe on account of the hour of the day but there is an incredible level of peace in this place, peace that I am not used to on a normal basis. It makes it somewhat exciting to be able to speak under those conditions.
Speaking in this particular debate is like déjà vu when I reflect on the last parliament and the issue of the MAI. The official opposition, by way of a motion on opposition day, raised the issue of being able to debate what the government's position was going into the negotiations on the MAI. Here we are again having somewhat of an emergency debate to try to find out what the government's position will be in this particular round of negotiations on the FTAA.
With respect to the MAI, the official opposition put its cards on the table. We said we were in favour of free trade, as we had always been, however we wanted to know exactly what the government's position would be going into the negotiations. We did not get the type of transparency we would have liked at that point in time. Ironically enough we are not getting it now as we enter into this particular round of negotiations on the FTAA.
The other ironic thing is that this particular government, prior to 1993, was adamantly against free trade. Now it is a great defender of it. However, once again it is under the table and is not as transparent as Canadians would like.
Looking at the agenda planned for the Quebec round of meetings, the three areas of discussion are very honourable. We have strengthening democracy, creating prosperity and realizing human potential. All those topics are of great interest to Canadians and to the different countries involved in the negotiations.
The official opposition is, as I say, in favour of free trade, but clearly we are concerned about issues of sovereignty that pertain to all topics on the agenda. If the government were forthcoming about its negotiating position and allowed public consultation and debate, we would not have the unfortunate violent demonstrations we have seen in the past. Instead it could encourage a constructive agenda for managed globalization that is consistent with the rule of international law.
With a large part of the global economy at stake, the FTAA agenda and issues are enormous. The meetings are a tremendous opportunity to further the interests of Canadian consumers and of our agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors. They are also an ideal forum for promoting human rights.
Clearly the world's political and business leaders have a responsibility to take seriously issues of democratic freedom, sustainable use and development of the environment, and the preservation of national and cultural identities within a global economy.
However as Canadians we also must take seriously the challenge to be provocative, rather than reactive, agents of change within the global economy. I am convinced that is the greatest thing we can do to protect and advance our unique national interests.
I would especially like to say a few words to younger Canadians. Young people know the forces of change at work today. We are being ushered into a revolutionary digital age. Information technology has already begun to transform the way we live, work, do business and communicate. During our lifetimes we will witness another revolution yet unknown to humankind. The challenge is to take our place within the revolution of change and globalization, not to resist it.
The future for innovators in business, job creation and policy making will be a delicate dance of balancing interests. We must seek to balance economic interests with the environment and to balance national interests, identities and cultures with international ones.
As Canadians we have much to protect but just as much, if not more, to offer the rest of the world. Not only do we have goods and services to trade, we can offer energy and hope. We are a young country brimming with potential.
We can offer a quality of leadership formed from centuries of pioneering a new frontier in the face of adversity. At meetings like the FTAA, Canada has a much better chance of creating a level trading field globally and ensuring member rights are protected and national interests are balanced.
Without such meetings there is much less hope for balance and for just societies within the emerging global economy. We should seek to use our position of influence as a world leader to set the agenda at the FTAA and future WTO meetings. We must find our voice among the nations of the world and demonstrate leadership and courage as we embrace globalization.
Global change is inevitable. We can only determine how we will respond to it and where and how, as leaders, we can make globalization something to be celebrated rather than feared.
That is why we cannot emphasize enough the importance of a transparent and open process. We need to engage Canadians and make them feel they are part of the democratic process. That is why many of my colleagues, and I think many Canadians, continue to insist we have a full and open debate on the issue and even, to some extent, public consultation. Hopefully we can move it to a free vote in the House of Commons so that Canadians truly feel the government has their interests at hand before it signs any form of international trade agreements.