Debates of Dec. 1st, 2021

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I am sorry. That is not a point of order.

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Madam Chair, I will be sharing my time with the member for Ottawa West—Nepean.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Madam Chair, on a point of order, I would just ask the hon. member to explain why he thinks he should be able to take his place—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Again, I just ruled on that. That is not a point of order. The hon. member has been sworn in. He is in the House.

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Madam Chair, the softwood lumber issue remains a top priority for the government. The softwood lumber industry employs thousands of workers across Canada. It is an important part of the Canadian economy and a key component of our highly integrated forestry sector. The United States remains the largest market for Canadian softwood lumber—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I would ask the member for Calgary Shepard to allow the hon. member to speak and give him that respect. I have already given him my decision on that, therefore I would ask that there be no heckling while the member has the floor.

The hon. member for Calgary Skyview.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Chair, I have a point of order. I think that the issue brought up in the previous two points of order speaks to the integrity of our democratic system.

When there are serious questions about the legitimacy of somebody being able to take their place in the House, it calls into question—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Again, I will end the discussion there. It is not up to the House at this point.

This is a matter that has already been raised in the House. It is a matter that the previous Speaker has already addressed in the House. I would ask that no more interruptions on this particular matter be raised.

The hon. member for Calgary Skyview.

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Madam Chair, the United States remains the largest market for Canadian softwood lumber. U.S. consumers have greatly benefited from high-quality Canadian softwood lumber products for decades. It is truly unfortunate that the government of the United States continues to impose unwarranted duties that bring harm and increase prices on both sides of the border. Undoubtedly these past few years have been challenging times for the Canadian softwood lumber industry. This is why we continue to support and engage with Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders at every opportunity. When the United States imposed its unwarranted and unjustified duties on Canadian softwood lumber products, we listened and responded with a softwood lumber action plan. When the pandemic arrived, we listened and responded with a COVID-19 economic response plan.

This past summer, Canada's Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry met with softwood lumber industry leaders to provide the latest developments on the softwood lumber file and to hear directly from them on how the government could best support them in this dispute. These meetings were very informative, and the ministers took careful note of the industry's views.

The government will continue to engage with Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders at every step of the way to ensure that all voices are heard. This includes provincial and territorial governments, softwood lumber companies, industry representatives, labour groups and indigenous communities: as such, a large and important part of Canada's economy with diverse viewpoints across the country. We believe this collaborative team Canada approach will ensure the best possible support and defence of our softwood lumber industry. Through countless direct communications with companies, we have demonstrated to Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders that this government has their best interests in mind.

The federal government knows that the Canadian industry does not want just any softwood lumber deal with the United States. Our industry needs a deal that brings predictability and stability, and that most notably protects Canadians jobs. Let me be clear. A deal that harms our industry is not a deal that this government is willing to accept. It is extremely disappointing that the United States continues to impose these unfair tariffs. Canadians rightfully expect a fair trading relationship.

Canada has always been willing to explore ideas that allow for a return to predictable cross-border trade in softwood lumber, but Canada will only strike a deal that is in the best interests of Canadian forestry workers and is good for forestry firms. We will not take just any deal, like the Conservatives would. Let me remind the House that while this government continues to stand up and defend the interests of Canadian workers, the Conservative Party of Canada would have us capitulate to the United States. In the interim, we will continue to challenge U.S. duties on softwood lumber under chapter 19 of NAFTA, under chapter 10 of CUSMA and through the WTO dispute settlement system. Canada believes that the U.S. softwood lumber duties are unwarranted, unjustified and inconsistent with U.S. law and the international trade obligations of the United States—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member, but I have been trying to give him a signal, telling him that his time is running out. It is only a five-minute intervention, but I am sure he will be able to use any additional information through the questions and comments.

Questions and comments, the hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Chair, I appreciate the opportunity to ask a question that speaks very much to the relevance of the debate. That member has admitted to conduct that is unbecoming—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Again, I do not know that I need a point of order at this point. I do want to remind the member that his question has to be on the topic we are talking about, and any discussion or any reference to what I have already ruled on will not be acceptable and I will go to the next question and comment.

Again, the question has to be directed to the softwood lumber issue.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Chair, the question is very simple. Does the member believe that a political party that condones his activities can in good faith—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I will rule that out of order.

Questions and comments, the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Madam Chair, we must be serious and continue the debate. I absolutely agree with you.

We know that the pulp and paper industry is struggling. I want to thank my colleague from Calgary Skyview, because I heard that during the last election campaign, he had a lot of paper flyers produced for both the Liberals and the Conservatives.

What do the Liberals propose as a concrete solution to help the pulp and paper industry, aside from producing political flyers?

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Madam Chair, this is an important industry that employs 100,000 forestry workers and provides over $13 billion into the B.C. economy. We are going to l work closely with our communities and workers. Our government remains closely committed to working with all stakeholders to find the best approach moving forward.

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Madam Chair, it is great to see such strong representation from Calgary Skyview and another member of our Alberta caucus on the governing side of the House.

The member has talked about the work the government is doing, the team Canada approach that we are all taking as parliamentarians. Part of the challenge I see as a parliamentarian is that the United States has a deficit or not necessarily enough domestic softwood to meet its housing and lumber needs.

I know the member opposite has a business background. Perhaps he can opine on what I think is a problematic approach with the U.S. in the sense that it does not even have enough domestic demand. Would he agree with me that this is just a wrong-headed policy that is going to create economic challenges on both sides of the border?

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Madam Chair, these tariffs are unwarranted, and it is extremely important that we have a good and strong trading relationship with the United States and that we resolve these issues. We want a positive outcome to this dispute.

I have worked in the construction industry. Many of my constituents run businesses that are impacted by this dispute and many of the tradespeople and workers also are impacted. I have many friends and family members who are employed in this industry and their livelihoods and businesses are impacted. It is really important that we find solutions and work together across the aisle, a team Canada approach, to ensure we get a positive resolution to this matter.

[Jake Stewart, Conservative, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Madam Chair, in the last six years, the Liberal government has failed on this issue twice in a row, which has affected softwood lumber in every province. Judging by his business background and the ability to clearly go the distance to win under a lot of different situations, what will he do to win this one?

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I want to remind the member that he cannot say indirectly what he cannot say directly.

Does the hon. member for Calgary Skyview want to respond to the softwood lumber part of the question?

[George Chahal, Liberal, Calgary Skyview, AB]

Madam Chair, this is an important issue, which is why we sent a team Canada delegation from this House to Washington. We will work together with members across the aisle, all parties, to get ideas and bring forward solutions that improve opportunities for Canadian businesses, but, most importantly, protect Canadian jobs.

That is a priority for me and many of my colleagues, and I know everybody in the House stands with me to protect Canadian jobs and workers.

[Anita Vandenbeld, Liberal, Ottawa West—Nepean, ON]

Madam Chair, I would like to thank the member for Calgary Skyview for sharing his time with me and also, as a fellow Calgarian, on his election as a Liberal for Calgary Skyview.

Canada's forestry sector—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member for Battle River—Crowfoot has a point of order.

[Damien Kurek, Conservative, Battle River—Crowfoot, AB]

Madam Chair, I rise on a point of order. It is interesting that the member is obviously referencing the same point you had called out earlier concerning not being able to speak to the allegations that the member is currently facing. She is doing indirectly what you said explicitly could not be done directly.

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member knows full well that the hon. member for Ottawa West—Nepean made reference to the member because he just gave a speech and shared his time with her. She was not doing indirectly what she cannot do directly.

The hon. member for Ottawa West—Nepean.