Madam Speaker, I listened with interest to my colleague. I assumed that at some point in his 20 minute oration he would request the House to allow him a do over on his vote in support of the softwood lumber agreement. Unfortunately, the predictions the NDP made were correct. The contract designed by the Liberals and then implemented by the Conservatives with the Americans allows the Americans to decide when they do not like what a province does.
I can recall Liberals and Conservatives alike saying that this would allow for peace in our trade relations with the U.S., that the Americans would no longer apply tariffs to our wood. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been charged to Ontario and Quebec and future charges will be charged to British Columbia and the others.
Is there no regret at all in the hypocrisy of standing in the House and saying that he will be defending softwood lumber and lumber industries across Canada when it is coming to bear right now? At present, the cumulative effect of this perfect storm, a terrible agreement, a downturn in the housing market is destroying mills across northwestern British Columbia and Canada. This agreement allows the Americans to apply punitive damages against Canadian companies and provinces at their own discretion.
I enjoyed the member's comments, and we are good friends. However, is there no sense of regret over having rushed that bill through, having agreed to absolutely fall down with the Conservatives when it came to defending Canada's interests in the softwood lumber market?