Mr. Speaker, Canada being a trading nation, its economic growth is directly tied to international trade. Our government strongly supports free trade, since it opens new markets to Canadian goods and services, grows Canadian businesses, and creates well-paying jobs for the middle class.
We also want to ensure that Canada is positioned to take advantage of new opportunities in foreign markets and that this is done in a way that meets the needs of all Canadians.
Over the past year, the Government of Canada has held discussions with Canadians and interested groups across the country on our approach to trade. We recognize that trade policy needs to be crafted in a way that addresses and contributes in a meaningful way to the government’s strategic, economic, social and environmental priorities. This is how the government is working to...