Ed Fast

[International Trade, October 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, this is truly an historic agreement and one that is reflected in the agreement in principle, signed by the Prime Minister and President Barroso last Friday.

All of the salient terms of the agreement are reflected in the summary documents that have been released to the public. We do not expect the legal stuff to change any of the outcomes reflected in those documents.

I would encourage the member to now begin promoting the tremendous benefits that this agreement will deliver for Canadians right across our country, for every sector of the economy and for every region of our country.

[International Trade, June 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Okanagan—Shuswap for his tireless efforts in standing up for our Canadian beef and pork producers. Today our government is launching the next phase of our fight against discriminatory county of origin labelling rules. Our government, with the full support and active engagement of Canadian industry, has fought against unfair treatment since the very beginning. Canada's beef and pork exporters can count on our government to continue to stand up for their interests.

[International Trade, June 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, as usual, the member has it all wrong. There has been no linkage between the Churchill Falls issue and our trade agreement.

In fact, the trade agreement with the European Union is going to produce significant benefits for Atlantic Canada. That member should know that. He is from Malpeque, from Prince Edward Island. He should understand that there is going to be a very significant seafood and fish package that would be made available to fishers in the region.

It is expected that this agreement would add $12 billion to our GDP. It is expected to add 80,000 new jobs to our Canadian economy. That is—

[International Trade, June 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, that is absolute nonsense. We have made it clear time and again that the standard we have set is that we will only sign an agreement that is in the best interests of Canadians.

It is pretty rich for the New Democrats to get up in the House and claim to be the great born-again free traders of the world. That is the party that sends its leader into the United States to bash our resource industry and to bad-mouth our economy. The New Democrats have no credibility on trade; they are anti-trade, anti-investment.

[International Trade, June 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, these negotiations are the most open and transparent that Canada has ever undertaken. In fact, the provinces are at the negotiating table when it comes to matters within their jurisdiction. Our government is committed to keeping Canadians informed and to consulting extensively on this agreement.

I would also remind the member that this agreement will be Canada's most comprehensive ever, one that will open up new opportunities for Canada's exporters and manufacturers. It is expected to increase our GDP by $12 billion a year, which is the equivalent of 80,000 new jobs in Canada, or $1,000 for each Canadian in extra income per year. Those members should get on side with this program.

[International Trade, June 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat. Canadian investors have applauded this agreement because it protects their interests. It is a fully reciprocal agreement that ensures that Canadians have a level playing field on which to compete, but of course, the NDP supports measures that tilt the balance in favour of Chinese exports.

It is a shame the NDP is more interested in standing up for Chinese manufacturers than for Canadian investors. Shame on them.

[International Trade, June 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government will take no lessons from the NDP on protecting the interests of Canadians. While the NDP supports giving special breaks to Chinese manufacturers, it has no interest in protecting Canadians who are investing in China.

This agreement will give Canadian investors in China the same types of protections that foreign investors have long had in Canada. Just once, the NDP should stand up for the interests of Canadians.

[International Trade, May 28th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the member has it all wrong. There is no linkage between these two issues.

Our government is proceeding with the Lower Churchill project. In fact, we just issued the request for financing for this very project.

An ambitious trade agreement with the EU would be of significant benefit to hard-working Canadians, including Labradorians and Newfoundlanders. In fact, we are seeking a very high-quality fish and seafood package for Canada, and we are committed to achieving an outcome that would open up new opportunities for Canada's exporters.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, May 6th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member forSouris—Moose Mountain for his hard work in promoting trade between Canada and the United States.

I can assure this House that our government will vigorously oppose any efforts to impose new border taxes. In these challenging economic times, there is no better American or Canadian job creator than trade between our two countries. New border fees send exactly the opposite message.

Canadians can be assured that our government will work tirelessly to promote their interests and the interests of Canada's exporters and job creators.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, May 3rd, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure this House that our government will vigorously oppose any efforts to impose new border fees. In these challenging economic times, there is no better American job creator than trade with Canada and, of course, vice versa.

New border fees send exactly the opposite message. They undermine efforts to create new jobs in Canada and the United States. Canadians can be assured that our government will work tirelessly to promote the interests of Canadian exporters and investors.