Jim Peterson

[Softwood Lumber, October 24th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has been very clear on the issue of softwood lumber. The bottom line is very simple. The NAFTA must be respected. That is, has been and will be our position.

[Softwood Lumber, October 17th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, throughout this government has spoken with one voice on the softwood lumber dispute and that is that the NAFTA must be respected. We have continuously put this point before the United States. We will continue to do so.

[Softwood Lumber, October 7th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, it is true that words alone cannot settle disputes. This is why we have initiated legal proceedings to recover the deposits. We will be undertaking retaliatory measures. We have also stepped up pressure on the United States. As for other measures to help this industry, some are already in place and the Minister of International Trade is currently examining other possibilities.

[Softwood Lumber, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister takes the softwood lumber situation very seriously. Furthermore, he has always said that NAFTA terms must be respected. The hon. member must realize that we have already implemented a program to help the industries.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is addressing the Economic Club of New York this evening. He has a number of very important meetings.

It is absolutely essential that our Prime Minister travel this world and carry the Canadian message. In terms of trade, it is a great story to tell. In terms of the NAFTA itself, the United States must respect the terms of the NAFTA. This is one of the messages he will be taking to the United States.

[Softwood Lumber, October 6th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member said that we do not have a plan in place in order to deal with softwood lumber. That is utter nonsense.

Our number one priority here is that the terms of the NAFTA must be respected. This is why we have taken litigation in the U.S. Court of International Trade, in order to have the duties come back to Canada, in order to have those orders repealed. This is why we are taking measures for retaliation. This is why we have stepped up our advocacy. I am delighted that President Fox knows, along with us and Canadians, that the NAFTA must be respected.

[Softwood Lumber, October 5th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, we have been very strong on this issue. We have insisted that the NAFTA be respected. We are taking all measures necessary to ensure that it will be respected, including litigation, retaliation and advocacy.

I want to thank the members in the House, particularly the Prime Minister, who have been so very strong on this issue. We are grateful for the support we have received from President Fox, and we will continue to take all measures necessary.

[International Trade, October 5th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, we are currently monitoring the effects of imports on the clothing and textile sectors very closely.

For the past three months we have noticed that imports have levelled off and perhaps it will stay that way. We will work very closely with both industries, as I already mentioned. That is why we gave them $1.2 billion to become more competitive.

[International Trade, October 5th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to assure the hon. member that we are working very closely with these two industries. We are well aware of the challenges and the future prospects of these industries.

Over the past 10 years, we have invested $1.2 billion in measures to help these industries become competitive on the global market.

[International Trade, October 3rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, we have held consultations with these two industries. As they have pointed out, during the past quarter, imports this year have kept pace with last year.

However, this does not mean that we do not face huge challenges. That is why we will continue to work with these two industries so they can become competitive.