Mr. Speaker, our currency, as the hon. member suggested, is largely related to commodity prices. We have seen the drop in commodity prices and a commensurate drop in our currency.
As demand for commodities continues to grow because of China, India, Russia, Brazil and those countries that continue to invest in infrastructure, I expect that will come back, but I will not be held to any long-term prediction on our currency.
However, one thing we could be doing during good times and bad times is finding the non-tariff trade barriers between the Canadian and U.S. economies that impose a real cost for both Canadian and U.S. jobs. There are regulatory differences between Canada and the U.S. in some areas that do not necessarily enhance the Canadian quality of life or safety in any way, shape or form, but simply represent a non-tariff barrier between our countries.
We should be seeking areas where we can coordinate and work more closely with the Americans, and also with our EU partners, in streamlining regulatory processes so all citizens benefit from better regulatory processes. It is not a race to the bottom, but it can be an actual race to the top with more diligence and at the same time eliminate a lot of these non-tariff barriers between our countries.
The border issue is one that I think all of us as members of Parliament have to be seized with, ensuring that we make the kinds of investments in infrastructure and processes that enable a seamless movement of goods, services and people between our countries in a secure North America.