Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Kings—Hants who is, as I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks, the international trade critic for the Liberal Party. It is clear that the government is watching the U.S. legislative process very carefully. Our ministers and officials are fully engaged in reminding our American friends of the integrated nature of our economies and our mutual interest in avoiding protectionist measures.
This is an excellent suggestion. With a new Parliament we have just reconvened committees, but it is an excellent opportunity for individual members, for committee members, particularly those experienced in international trade matters, to converse and to meet with their American counterparts. This is an issue that is wide open in the United States. There are those who remember the Great Depression, and the impact and effect that protectionist measures had on the economy of the United States at that time. We should learn from experience. We could also learn from the experiences of various members, particularly on the international trade committee. It is a welcome suggestion and one we should pursue in committee.