Andrew Leslie

[Foreign Affairs, September 28th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, a document entitled “Canada's National Action Plan for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, 2017-18 Progress Report”.

[International Trade, September 28th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I love being given an opportunity to share facts with my colleague.

For example, in July, Canadian exports rose to a record level of over $51 billion, part of which went to Quebec.

We are building on achievements. When it comes to NAFTA, we want a good deal for Canadians. Of course we are going to defend our national interests.

We will not sign just any deal. We will sign a good deal for Canada.

[International Trade, September 28th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, we have always made it clear that no NAFTA deal is better than a bad deal. We are going to uphold this principle, because Canadians expect us to stand up for them. That is exactly what we did, and that is what we are doing now.

[International Trade, September 28th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, let us talk about some economic facts. In July, Canada exported a record high of more than $51 billion, supporting millions of middle-class jobs. We had the highest GDP growth in the G7 last year. We have created over half a million jobs since coming into power.

We are working to build on those record exports by getting the right deal for NAFTA. We are committed to defending our national interests.

[International Trade, September 28th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, we certainly understand that these illegal measures have created real challenges for Canadian businesses and workers. That is why we have already set up a $2-billion fund to defend the interests of Canada's workers and businesses. This includes extending work-sharing agreements, funding for training, funding to improve the productivity of Canadian manufacturers, and support to help businesses diversify their exports.

[Foreign Affairs, September 27th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, Aung San Suu Kyi's honorary citizenship is something that Parliament could reflect on.

Our government is focused on measures that will make a real difference for Rohingya refugees. We are providing food aid to more than one million refugees, and we are committed to providing $300 million in humanitarian assistance.

We will continue to take concrete action to save lives and protect the Rohingya.

[International Trade, September 27th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, an important truism of trade negotiations is that nothing is done until it is actually done. We continue to work in a constructive atmosphere with good faith on all sides. However, we have always been clear that no deal is better than a bad deal. We are going to remain firm on that principle, because Canadians expect us to stand up for them. That is exactly what this government is going to do, especially for the auto industry.

[International Trade, September 27th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, our government understands that the U.S. 232 measures have created real challenges for Canadian workers and their businesses. That is why we have made up to $2 billion available to defend and protect their interests. These measures include extending work sharing agreements, increased funding for skills training, funding to bolster the competitiveness of Canadian manufacturers and support for companies that diversify their exports. Other measures since July 2018 include 130 loans, already authorized by BDC, for a total of $100 million.

[Foreign Affairs, September 25th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Etobicoke Centre for his tireless work on this issue. Our government knows that women are powerful agents for change and for peace, and we also know that when women are involved in the peace process, peace agreements tend to last longer. That is why the Minister of Foreign Affairs was proud to announce the creation of an ambassador for women, peace and security. Women's empowerment is a crucial issue and I hope all of my colleagues in this House will join us in celebrating this important announcement.

[International Trade, September 25th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I know how proud Canadians are of our public health care system and we are going to defend it. We also know that the affordability of and access to prescription drugs remains an important issue for all Canadians. We will continue to work with the provinces, territories and our partners to lower drug prices and provide timely access to medicines. This is an important issue for our government and we have said such during the NAFTA discussions. Our government will always stand up for Canadians.