David Lametti

[International Trade, May 11th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member because that is a great book.

As a trading nation, Canada's economic growth is directly linked to international trade. This government supports free trade as a way to open markets to Canadian goods and services, grow Canadian businesses, and create well-paying middle-class jobs, the kind of jobs that exist or should exist in London—Fanshawe.

The government has committed to bring forward the TPP to a debate and a discussion here in this House to hear from all members of Parliament representing the people of Canada. The fact is we have committed to open consultations. It is a promise we made during the election campaign and one that we are seeing through.

[International Trade, May 11th, 2016]

Madam Speaker, as the Minister of International Trade and I have said before, because of the way in which the agreement was negotiated, in secret, and the way in which it was thrown upon us during the election campaign, we signed the agreement precisely to give us the time to study the agreement, and we are doing precisely that.

As the Minister of International Trade has said before, the government is currently assessing impacts and conducting an economic study of the TPP. More important, the minister took the engagement to make all assessments and studies public once completed. The government is also reviewing economic analyses of think tanks, academics, and other organizations to help inform the government's view of the TPP. Yes, we have signed it, but ratification is the final stage and we have not made a final decision to ratify.

As the hon. member knows, the TPP was negotiated in secret by the previous government. Our government is therefore focused on consulting with Canadians, a key commitment of the government, and we will analyze the full potential impacts of the TPP. In this context, comments regarding ISDS and IP and other critiques that have been raised are being given serious consideration.

Since November, the Government of Canada has held over 250 consultations in different formats, such as round tables and town halls, with over 400 different domestic stakeholders. This has included all provinces and territories, businesses and industry associations, civil society, think tanks, academics, and labour unions. In parallel, the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade is currently studying the TPP and holding its own consultations with Canadians across the country. Those who have views to share are also encouraged to submit written comments to the committee for their consideration.

In our consultations, we have heard varying views of the TPP from different sectors. This is precisely the point of consulting Canadians. For instance, over the past nine months, the government has heard from a range of stakeholders with interests in different areas of intellectual property who have expressed views on the TPP intellectual property outcomes. As a knowledge-based economy, Canadians employ innovative ideas and creative thinking that become the products, technologies, and services that change the way we live. Intellectual property framework is an important element of any knowledge-based economy, and Canada's long-standing approach with respect to intellectual property has been to strike a balance between creators and users.

When it comes to the TPP, the government has also heard views about the potential impact on health care costs in connection with patents for pharmaceutical products. The Minister of International Trade will continue with consultations in line with her mandate letter and work with her colleagues on that question. The Government of Canada is committed to follow through on these commitments.

[Criminal Code, May 3rd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his heartfelt comments. The common thread was individual autonomy. I deeply appreciate his comments.

More than 25 years ago, I had the honour of working with a justice of the Supreme Court.

His predecessor suggested that the decision to change Canada's position based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms with the stroke of a pen was not legitimate.

Does the member share his hon. colleague's opinion?

[International Trade, April 22nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) I have the great honour to enthusiastically table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled, “Protocol to the 2007 World Wine Trade Group Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling concerning Alcohol Tolerance, Vintage, Variety, and Wine Region”, done at Brussels on March 22, 2013, and entered into force on November 1, 2013. An explanatory memorandum is included with this treaty.

[Verdun Skate Park, April 22nd, 2016]

Madam Speaker, on this Earth Day, I would like to rise to congratulate the borough of Verdun, as well as Verdun youth and the Montreal skateboarding community on the Verdun skate park that will see its official opening on May 27.

This important piece of sports infrastructure and its training elements will be a place where young people, especially those who are marginalized and most at risk, can develop a passion for a culture, get some exercise, and develop perseverance. It will also be a place where diverse communities and multiple generations can cross paths and share experiences.

I look forward to visiting the park with my own children and I wish skateboarders, BMXers, and others who will enjoy this park a happy International Go Skateboarding Day this June 21.

[Points of Order, April 21st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I said the “former” leader of the opposition.

[Ministerial Expenses, April 21st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, once again the Conservatives are trying to create a story where there is none.

Unlike previous Conservatives, the Minister of International Trade has a justly earned international reputation as a journalist and finance writer. In California, she appeared in the media with U.S. Senator Angus King of Maine and California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom. There, she proudly defended Canada's leadership on the Syrian refugee crisis.

The Conservatives should learn from colleagues like their former Prime Minister that even they sometimes need to appear in the media.

[Ministerial Expenses, April 21st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, once again the Conservatives are trying to create a story where there is none.

Since the members opposite continue to be so interested in this non-topic, let me remind them that it was their own leader who left taxpayers on the hook for a bill for $50,000 to hire a consultant to try to secure American media interviews.

The Conservatives' accusations about the expenses are false. All the rules were followed. The details were publicly posted months ago.

[International Trade, April 21st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we support Canada's primary metal manufacturing industry and we will defend the interests of Canadian businesses. Imposing restrictions on Canadian exports will not help resolve global overcapacity. Canada and the U.S. must resolve the overcapacity issue in a strategic, comprehensive manner in the interest of all our workers.

[Business of Supply, April 21st, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, that is a great question, and I thank the hon. member for his question and for his passion.

The speeches made by the government members need to be taken as a whole.

Since the resolution centres on the basic presumption that free trade agreements are bad, my role was to clarify the fact that free trade agreements can actually be very positive for Canada's economy, and I hope I succeeded in doing so.

The issue of diafiltered milk is quite complex. It is not as simple as the opposition claims. Plus, we inherited a very bad situation from the previous government, which did nothing for five years.

We are trying to resolve the issue. We are working very hard on it, in collaboration with the industry and, of course, with all stakeholders involved.