Madam Speaker, first let me welcome everyone and wish them the very best in the new year. We have an exciting time ahead of us; I really and truly believe that.
The number of Canadians, whether in Liberal-held ridings or Conservative-held ridings, who see we are on the right track amazes me. They see that we have a Prime Minister who truly understands and is prepared to meet the times, as well as a government as a whole that is supporting that. All we need to do is look at what has taken place in the last six months or eight months since the last election, which was highlighted this month when the Prime Minister addressed the world at Davos. He gave a very powerful statement that has been recognized not only here in Canada but around the world.
Each and every one of us needs to realize, when it comes to trade, that Canada makes up 0.5% of the world population yet contributes 2.5% to world trade. With the agenda put into place by the Prime Minister and the government, I believe the Prime Minister's plan is working, especially when we take into consideration the other aspects of the plan of building Canada strong.
This is not to sidestep other important issues, and I will get specific about the legislation right away, but I am very proud of the fact that earlier today we announced the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. It is a program that is going to put money in the pockets of Canadians, recognizing the importance of the times and affordability.
As we talk a great deal about trade in the House of Commons over the next number of weeks and months, it is also important that we do not forget about other important issues such as affordability and crime. On that note, I was pleased that the leader of the Conservative Party said he wants to co-operate. I look forward to that co-operation, because we did not witness it in December. As members will recall, the Liberals wanted bail reform legislation passed, but it was filibustered by the Conservatives. However, I am hopeful; maybe they have turned the page. We have an agenda on crime, an agenda on trade and an agenda to make sure Canadians can afford groceries and other essentials. We have a Prime Minister who is focused on building a stronger Canada.
What the Bloc is asking for today is that every treaty that the government enters into would have a thorough debate. There is a great deal of effort put into the treaties that Canada signs off on. It is not just something that happens overnight. Someone made reference to the Prime Minister's travels. It is not only the Prime Minister who travels. The Minister of Agriculture was in China representing Canadian farmers' interests. We were able to come up with an agreement with China on some issues that have been very difficult. The holistic approach taken during that particular discussion is good for Canada.
Is the Bloc suggesting that before the Prime Minister went to China we should have had a discussion on the floor of the House of Commons? Do members know how many trade discussions and treaty discussions take place on an annual basis? We are talking about dozens, more than 100, over the last number of years. The House of Commons has barely enough time to get the things that it is debating supported. As it has been pointed out, the opposition has other tools it can use if it wants to focus debate on a specific treaty or on an issue related to a specific country. We call these opposition days. The opportunities are there, and are very real, for opposition members to get more engaged. They should not give the false impression that fingers are snapped and treaties just happen.
There is a great deal of effort put in by members of Parliament who do not have portfolios, as well as by parliamentary secretaries and, of course, ministers, but the greatest ambassador Canada has in making sure we can deliver for Canadians is the Prime Minister of Canada. Never before have we had a proactive prime minister be as aggressive as we have witnessed the current Prime Minister being over the last eight months. Canadians from coast to coast to coast are recognizing that, and we are seeing how important it is.
The parliamentary secretary made reference to Indonesia, Northern Ireland and England. Treaties with those countries are before the House right now, waiting to be debated. Let us have the debate on those pieces of legislation.
However, it goes a lot further than those treaties. The Prime Minister of Canada met with the President of the Philippines, and they talked about getting an agreement in 2026. The Prime Minister also had discussions with India about getting an agreement in 2026. That is not to mention the many other countries with which we are not only talking but making agreements happen.
Through these agreements, we are bringing investments to Canada. There are billions of dollars of investment from the Middle East coming into Canada because we have a Prime Minister who understands the importance of jobs and of building a stronger and healthier economy. That is what we are witnessing with our current Prime Minister, that jobs do matter. When we talk about the issue of affordability, jobs are important. The Prime Minister and the government unveiled a program earlier today that is going to deliver money to the pockets of Canadians that will help pay for groceries and those essentials. That is great, but we are also realizing how important it is, in supporting the economy, that we create jobs.
The world is changing. We see that, and we know that. Look at what has happened in the last year between the U.S.A. and Canada. As a government, we have recognized that, whether it is the Prime Minister or any member of Parliament from the Liberal caucus, we are not going to accept just any deal coming from the United States; we are going to get the best deal we can for all Canadians and for all regions of the country. In the interim, we need to expand those trade opportunities, because they build a stronger economy here in Canada and they create jobs. We want to create good, solid jobs for Canadians, which means we have to be proactive on trade.
There was a time when the Conservatives supported trade. I remember that they talked a lot about trade when they were in government. If the Conservatives really believed in trade, as opposed to criticizing the Prime Minister for going out and bringing to Canada investments and trade opportunities for small and large businesses alike, they would be applauding the actions of the Prime Minister, the government and its ministers for taking the initiative and aggressively pursuing trade opportunities that go beyond the United States-Canada border. That is how we build a stronger, healthier Canada and provide the jobs that Canadians want and desire.
We are committed on this side of the House, week after week, to building Canada strong by providing the tools that will make it happen. Trade is a very important aspect of that.
There are plenty of opportunities to debate the treaties. The current bill is something we cannot support, but I would encourage all members to recognize that Canadians, even those in Conservative ridings, want to see support for the government initiatives that we are—