Jim Peterson

[Softwood Lumber, March 8th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, we have always said that we will pursue our three track approach to softwood lumber. First, we will continue the litigation before the NAFTA and the WTO; second, we are prepared to sit down and talk about a possible resolution of it; and third, we are going to continue our efforts at retaliation in respect of Byrd and the illegal measures with respect to softwood lumber.

I am very pleased that yesterday I was able, in concert with all of the provinces and the three territories, to reach a pan-Canadian view on what a potential settlement might--

[Softwood Lumber, February 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is right, our softwood lumber industry has been under assault in terms of trade actions by the United States, which have been held unlawful by the panels of the WTO and NAFTA.

That was one of the reasons that we brought forward a $356 million package to support the workers, the communities and the industries. We are looking at further proposals in this area.

[Foreign Affairs and International Trade, February 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member would remember what we talked about when I appeared before the committee on estimates, we did talk about a number of bilateral trade policies that we were undertaking, including with Japan, Korea, the AFTA, the CARICOM, the CA4 and Mercosur in order to restart the trade agreements of the FTAA.

We are engaged in China in terms of a foreign investment protection act. We are engaged with India.

If the member had listened when she was at committee she would realize what we are doing.

[Foreign Affairs and International Trade, February 21st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I am so glad to have this question. It gives me a chance to say before this House what I would have had the chance to say before the committee at second reading, when I and the Minister of Foreign Affairs could have spoken and all the witnesses could have come forward to talk about the virtue and the value of having the focus on international trade and investment that a stand alone department could bring. I wish the opposition had given us that opportunity.

[International Trade, February 15th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. trade relationship is critical to our prosperity. We have opened seven new consulates and we have created the Washington advocacy secretariat. Yesterday, I met in Washington with the new secretary of commerce and I look forward to working with him to resolve our trade disputes, promote North American competitiveness and foster global trade liberalization.

On March 1 I will be leading a Canadian advocacy day in Washington, along with the Canada-U.S. parliamentary group who will meet with our American counterparts. I want members from all parties to attend. We welcome the help of all members with this most important of our relationships.

[International Trade, February 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, whether the member wants to hide his head in the sand or not, the harsh reality is that if Canada is not globally competitive then we will be losing jobs. Everything we are doing is about making sure Canadians remain globally competitive and are plugged into the best value chains globally. That is the way we are going to keep the best jobs here in Canada.

[International Trade, February 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member talked about auto parts and investing abroad. As I travel the world, I am proud to take credit for the incredible accomplishments of many of the Canadian-based multinationals that have set up plants in other countries and are globally competitive. One of those is Magna, which has six plants in China and is a real jewel among the Canadian-based multinationals.

[Trade, February 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the way that we keep the high paying, value added jobs here in Canada is to be globally competitive. The hon. member opposite who just asked this question knows very well that setting up plants in other parts of the world can be part of a Canadian strategy to keep the best jobs here in Canada.

[Trade, February 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely critical in our globalized economy that our Canadians have access to the very best inputs or they will not remain globally competitive. If they are not globally competitive, we are going to lose those jobs in Canada.

We have seen examples of how companies can source from various places around the world and still remain globally competitive and grow here in Canada, and Canada has the best job creation record in the G-7.

[Trade, February 9th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, what I said then, what I have said previously and what I will say today is that the best way to protect Canadian jobs and keep the Canadian job market growing is to be globally competitive. If we are not globally competitive, then we are inevitably going to lose jobs. This is the message we are taking to all Canadians.

We want Canadian companies to be globally competitive because that is the way the jobs are going to stay in Canada.