Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for his support of the Canada-Panama free trade agreement.
He is correct in suggesting that Canada, as one of the great free trading nations, needs to develop new trading relationships.
Where his argument falls down is the suggestion that previous Liberal governments somehow were able to achieve much more in the area of international trade. If we look at the record of the previous governments, it is really an appalling record. For years the previous Liberal government tried to conclude an agreement on approved destination status with China. It never happened. Our government got the job done.
I also refer to additional free trade agreements that he did not refer to, which our government has been able to achieve, such as with the European Free Trade Association. I refer now to the European Union, which is negotiating a free trade agreement with Canada.
Would the member not agree with me that this Conservative government's successes far surpass the record of the previous Liberal government?