Ali Ehsassi

[International Trade, February 4th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, as I am sure the member is fully aware, from day one our government was in constant contact with Unifor and General Motors Canada to push for better outcomes.

As I emphasized earlier, our government is passionately committed to investing in innovation and skills development to ensure that Canadians and Canadian companies are prepared to succeed in the economy of the future. Our investments in innovation, through the innovation and skills plan, have helped bolster Canada's robust automotive cluster by supporting reinvestments in Canadian vehicle assembly plants by global automakers. We will continue to believe strongly in Canada's automotive manufacturers and the quality of the vehicles produced by Canadian workers.

[International Trade, February 4th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to emphasize that our government is squarely focused on ensuring that Canadians have access to good, well-paying jobs. Manufacturing has traditionally been an excellent source of such types of jobs, especially in the auto sector.

This government has always supported the auto workers and the auto sector. Through the innovation and skills plan, we have shaped a policy environment designed to strengthen the competitiveness of the Canadian industry. We have also established the strategic innovation fund, ensuring this flagship program is an effective tool for attracting new investments to Canada.

To cite one example for my good friend, we might as well talk about Linamar, which, after we introduced this program, has reinvested. Of course, it is a company that is very much a part of the auto supply chain.

We fully recognize that we have more work to do and have a plan that will make a concrete difference. Automotive manufacturing is the touchstone of Canada's economy. We want to invest in innovation and skills development today so Canadians and Canadian companies can succeed in the economy of tomorrow.

Since the beginning of 2016, the Government of Canada has leveraged $454 million to support the automotive industry, which has announced over $6.7 billion in new investments in Canada. We support the research and development that will lead to the next generation of transportation. We are seeing the sector adjust by meeting the demands for the vehicles of the future, vehicles that will be connected, automated, shared and electric.

Going forward, we are committed to addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors, including the transportation sector. Advances in vehicle technologies, such as zero-emission vehicles, have the potential to enhance the productivity, efficiency and environmental performance of Canada's transportation system, as well as drive innovation and economic growth.

Canada retains a mature automotive sector and we are building expertise in advanced technologies, a highly skilled workforce and strong R and D capacity.

All of this is part of our comprehensive plan to ensure that Canada is successful in the future economy, in the auto industry and indeed in every industry. We believe passionately in Canada's automotive manufacturers and the quality of the vehicles produced by Canadian workers.

[Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, January 27th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, on this first day of Parliament, I rise to recognize the tragic event that occurred on January 8: the downing of Ukraine Airlines flight 752 over Tehran. My riding of Willowdale joins many other ridings across our great country that have been grieving the loss of innocent lives. This event has struck at the heart and soul of our nation, because in every passenger we saw ourselves, our parents, our grandparents, a friend or maybe a neighbour. We have mourned deeply as a country because they were us, and we are lesser as a country without them enriching every facet of Canadian life.

The outpouring of support from friends and strangers alike, of all faiths and communities, has been overwhelming. It reminds us why Canada is the best country in the world. Indeed, we have experienced Canada and Canadians at their very compassionate best.

All those who have lost loved ones should know that their country shares their grief.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, December 12th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1) I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the report of the Canada-China Legislative Association respecting its participation at the 23rd bilateral meeting held in Shanghai, Nanjing, Hong Kong and Macao, China, from May 18 to 26, 2019.

[Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act, June 19th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, allow me to reciprocate and say I have very much enjoyed working with my hon. colleague.

As the member is well aware, these issues are serious issues. They are legal matters. They are issues that require that each of the negotiating parties be familiar with various provisions. I think it would be fair to say that lawyers in the department are very much aware of some of the limitations that might exist, but that will certainly not get in the way of this government's commitment to pharmacare in the future.

[Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act, June 19th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for raising a very good concern.

Of course, as with any other trade agreement, it is important to make sure that we are focused on the details as negotiations go on. The member will recall, for example, that when the original NAFTA was negotiated, Canadian negotiators made sure that there were all sorts of reservations for various things. In that particular instance, the big issue Canadians expected us to stand up for and preserve was culture.

In this particular case, it was quite obvious to our American friends and to the Mexicans that the environment is something we take very seriously as a country. However, as with all negotiations, there were some carve-outs, which is something that epitomizes the process of negotiations.

[Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act, June 19th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for raising an issue that is obviously of concern to our government as well.

As I indicated throughout my remarks, we were keen on maintaining a dialogue with various sectors of our economy, and that communication has been ongoing. I can tell the member that we have received every assurance that dialogue will be ongoing with dairy producers, and they have been very pleased with the progress we are making to ensure that we stand up for their interests and make the necessary changes.

[Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act, June 19th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, I apologize for that oversight.

Of course, what I meant to highlight and emphasize was that numerous people were highly engaged in this process. As I mentioned earlier, there were many members of this House who took their responsibilities very seriously. Of course, we also reached out to business leaders, labour leaders and everyone who could assist along the way.

I think it would be fair to say that, in all these interactions, we have been unwavering in sharing our message in the U.S., and our message was very simple. We were informing Americans that it was in their self-interest to keep strong relations with Canada. Good, middle-class jobs in every U.S. state depend directly on trade with and investment in Canada. Apart from being a friend and a neighbour, Canada is also the most like-minded ally the United States can find in the world.

Similarly, Canada and Mexico continue to weave ties for the future through our shared values and commitment to a secure, prosperous, inclusive and democratic world. I should highlight that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Mexico, and we very much look forward to building on this milestone to create an even stronger partnership.

In negotiating the modernized agreement, we underscored that a good deal is one that reflects the Canadian national interests and in which Canadian values are defended. That was at the core of our negotiating priorities and approach, and we were consistent throughout.

The new NAFTA is a win-win-win agreement for Canada, the United States and Mexico.

[Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Act, June 19th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to rise in the House today in support of Bill C-100, the implementing legislation for the Canada-United States-Mexico agreement.

Last fall, we concluded negotiations on the new NAFTA with the U.S. and Mexico. Throughout the intense negotiations, we remained steadfast and focused on what really matters to Canadians: jobs, growth and, of course, expanding the middle class.

We refused to capitulate, and we secured a good deal for Canadians. Since negotiations began in August 2017, Canada has engaged constructively and pragmatically with our NAFTA partners to reach a good deal for Canadians.

The agreement provides key outcomes for Canadian businesses, workers and communities in areas such as labour, the environment, automotive trade, dispute resolution, culture and energy.

We guaranteed continued access for Canadian workers and Canadian businesses to our largest export market, and we succeeded in preserving key elements of NAFTA, including chapter 19, which is really the heart and soul of the agreement, the all-important dispute settlement mechanism and the cultural exception, something we had fought very hard for in the negotiations in the 1980s.

We addressed important bread-and-butter issues like cutting red tape to make it easier for Canadian businesses to export to the U.S. market.

The new NAFTA will safeguard more than $2 billion a day in cross-border trade and tariff-free access.

I will provide just one example to the House. In 2017, trilateral trade exceeded $1 trillion, more than a threefold increase since 1994, when NAFTA was first born. The North American free trade zone is the biggest economic region in the world, encompassing a regional market of $22 trillion U.S. and over 480 million consumers. With only 7% of the world's population, the U.S., Canada and Mexico together now account for more than a quarter of the world's GDP.

The new NAFTA represents an opportunity for Canada to build upon the highly integrated economies in North America. Implementing and ratifying the new NAFTA will help maintain Canada's global competitive position. Our three countries are among one another's largest trading partners and sources of foreign investment.

It is important at this juncture to acknowledge all the work that went into these negotiations. I am referring to the Prime Minister, who was highly engaged on this, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other ministers who were very much embedded in the process and, of course, the many members of Parliament who consistently went to the United States to explain the significance of this agreement to Canadians.

Preferential access also means a level playing field for Canadian products and will provide Canadian companies with a leg-up on others that do not yet have the same level of access to the U.S. and Mexican markets. This will translate into increased profits and market opportunities for Canadian businesses of all sizes, in all sectors and in every part of our beautiful country.

Our relationship with the U.S. and Mexico is about more than simply trade. Our relationship is also about friendship, shared values, prosperity and security. We do not just trade with each other; we make things together and we co-operate to ensure the mutual safety and security of the continent.

It is important to emphasize that throughout the negotiations, this government worked hard to advocate for the interests of Canadian families. Our efforts extended to all levels of government and society, from continuing constructive dialogues between Prime Minister Trudeau and the U.S. and Mexican presidents to conversations—

[Public Safety, May 29th, 2019]

Mr. Speaker, gun violence in Canada is on the rise. While crime rates in general have dropped during the past several decades, gun violence has increased. Between 2013 and 2017, gun homicides across Canada doubled. More specifically, in my home town of Toronto we endured 96 tragic homicides in 2018.

Could the Prime Minister inform the House what steps our government has taken to promote the safety of our communities?