The Minister for International Trade is hanging on your every word.
Lost his last election, in 2006, with 38% of the vote.
Public Safety Act, 2002 November 5th, 2002
The Minister for International Trade is hanging on your every word.
International Trade October 22nd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, as regards the protection of investments, all those who believe in development in this world know full well that investment rules are required, so that capital can get into certain countries.
We want investment rules. We ourselves, that is Canada, have taken the initiative of convincing Mexico and the United States to propose interpretation clauses to clarify chapter 11. We are the ones who managed to get this interpretation clause at the most recent meeting of the trilateral commission, last year.
Obviously, we will continue to use our past experience in the coming—
International Trade October 22nd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, allow me to briefly answer each of the questions raised by the hon. member for Mercier.
As regards S.D. Myers, our government has already decided to go before the Federal Court. We have already made the decision to go before the Federal Court and we are waiting for the outcome of this process. So, let us wait before jumping to conclusions.
As for health, I keep repeating it: even though this may be mentioned in a report, Canada's health system and the Canada Health Act are not threatened by our international agreements, by the free trade area, by GATT or by the World Trade Organization, neither in its current form nor in its future form.
Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act October 21st, 2002
moved that Bill C-2, an act to establish a process for assessing the environmental and socio-economic effects of certain activities in Yukon, be read the second time and referred to a committee.
Trade October 21st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, yes indeed, I will be leading a trade mission to South Africa, Nigeria and Senegal from November 15 to 26.
It is becoming quite clear that as Africa modernizes its private and public sectors, many African economies are looking outward to meet the demands and challenges of modernization.
Canadian companies have a lot to offer, particularly when it comes to education, technology and infrastructure. This mission will enable Canadian companies to develop new trading partnerships and a market that is ripe for Canadian products and services.
Softwood Lumber October 8th, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to hear the hon. member for Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup—Témiscouata—Les Basques echo the optimism we have always shown when before the courts.
We are well aware that the Canadians have a strong and solid case. We made it through the first hurdle in July with the WTO panel, which found in Canada's favour. I think Washington got the message.
That is why we at International Trade are engaged at the present time in trying to regain some of the initiative. Specifically, what we are going to do is to try to see, in light of the present circumstances, what U.S. law would allow. If circumstances change, the program might change accordingly.
Our approach is working. We are challenging them in court and at the same time holding discussions with a view to improving the situation and speeding up resolution.
Softwood Lumber October 2nd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, I have been working very closely with my colleague, the Minister of Industry, who absolutely cares about and believes, like me, in the future of the softwood lumber industry. As well, we have been working with our colleagues, the ministers of natural resources and human resources.
We do understand that the going is getting rough on that territory, in the regions, in the communities. We find that extremely painful, but we do believe that it is important to clear the air in terms of our discussions with the United States. Yes, indeed, we will stand by our workers and our communities through the programs that we do have to help them cope with the present difficult times.
Supply Management October 2nd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, luckily, farmers have learned to work closely with us in recent years. These people were able to put their trust in us when it mattered.
When certain issues, such as cheese sticks imports, are brought to our attention, we settle the matter through discussions with the Americans. It is our government that solved issues which had not been settled in the years before it took office.
We will continue to work closely with farmers, even if this makes some people complain and even if it makes some waves in the regions.
Supply Management October 2nd, 2002
Mr. Speaker, we never considered making any kind of compromise regarding our supply management system. We did not develop a negotiating strategy that would jeopardize supply management in Canada, because we believe in this system.
We built it ourselves, and that includes this government and the previous governments. We have contributed to it more than some hon. members, who are trying to scare people who earn a good living on their farms, across the country. We will continue to promote the supply management system in Canada.
Supply Management October 1st, 2002
Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear on this most important issue for our government.
The Minister of Agriculture and I were in Doha when, along with our colleagues from around the world, we decided to begin an important round of negotiations for our country.
In our mandate, it is very clear that supply management is among the objectives that we have to maintain a system that serves producers and consumers well in our country.
Our government firmly supports supply management. There is no doubt about that in anyone's mind.