Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex for his question and his excellent work on the trade committee.
The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement has been a resounding success story. Since this agreement came into force, two-way merchandise trade has more than tripled. In fact, just last year Canada's exports to Chile increased by almost 40%.
A modernized treaty will bring this agreement up to the high standard our government expects in its trade negotiations and will give Canadian businesses access to new opportunities in the Chilean market.