Ed Fast

[International Trade, September 21st, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to hear the NDP members say that they would love to see trade agreements signed. I had a chance to review their election platform from 2011. It is 26 pages of archaic ideology and failed policies. Do members know what it says about trade and the importance of trade? It says absolutely nothing.

We on this side of the House are focusing on the priorities of Canadians and we are delivering and opening up new markets for Canadian businesses.

[International Trade, September 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I would encourage that member not to prejudge the outcome of these negotiations.

Again, let me emphasize that our government has always sought to strike a balance between promoting innovation and ensuring that Canadians do have affordable drugs available. The prices charged for patented medicines sold in Canada are regulated by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. This will not change under a free trade agreement with the EU.

Our government continues to consult with the provinces and territories to ensure that the best interests of Canadians are reflected in the Canada-EU trade negotiations.

[International Trade, September 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our government has always sought to strike a balance between promoting innovation and job creation while ensuring that Canadians have access to reasonably priced and affordable drugs.

We continue to consult with the provinces and territories to ensure that the interests of Canadians are reflected in our negotiations with the European Union. These negotiations have been, and continue to be, the most open and transparent negotiations Canada has ever undertaken.

Let me reassure the House that we will only sign a trade agreement that is in the best interests of Canadians.

[International Trade, September 18th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is this Conservative government that has embarked upon the most ambitious free trade plan in Canada's history.

Why have the NDP members opposed our free trade agenda almost every step along the way? They have opposed free trade agreements with countries such as Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. They have opposed a free trade agreement with Lichtenstein. The NDP is anti-trade.

On this side of the House, we will continue to represent the interests of Canadians, not just special interests represented by the NDP.

[International Trade, September 18th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the negotiations with the European Union on a free trade agreement have been the most open, transparent and consultative in our history. Each step along the way we have kept Canadians involved. We consulted with stakeholders such as business, industry, civil society and municipalities. In fact, the Canadian Federation of Municipalities has applauded our government for its consultation.

As in all of our negotiations, the standard that we will set is that we will only sign an agreement that is in the best interests of Canadians.

[Questions on the Order Paper, September 17th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, a comprehensive economic and trade agreement, CETA, with the EU is a key part of our pro-trade plan that is committed to deepening and broadening our trading relationships. This is critical as trade accounts for over 60% of our annual GDP, and one in five Canadian jobs is directly or indirectly dependent on trade.

The benefits of a Canada-EU comprehensive economic and trade agreement, CETA, are expected to be enormous. According to the EU-Canada joint study, a free trade agreement with the EU is expected to boost Canada’s economy by $12 billion and increase two-way trade by 20%. This is the equivalent of creating almost 80,000 new jobs for hard-working Canadians, or increasing the average Canadian family’s income by almost $1,000. It would also give preferential market access for Canadian workers and businesses to the world’s largest single common market, foreign investor and trader.

A CETA with the EU would deliver commercial benefits across many goods sectors, including aerospace, chemicals, plastics, wood products, aluminum, fish and seafood, light vehicles and automotive parts, and agriculture products such as wheat, beef and pork.

Canada is seeking an outcome in the Canada-EU CETA negotiations that includes the elimination of all tariffs on Canadian fish and seafood. Duty-free access to the EU, the world’s largest importer of fish and seafood products, would offer significant opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador’s fish and seafood industry.

Provinces and territories are unanimous in their support of a CETA with the EU as demonstrated in a February 28, 2012 joint federal-provincial-territorial statement. All Canadian provinces and territories, including Newfoundland and Labrador, are closely involved in the CETA negotiations. This involvement includes frequent meetings with the federal government on planning and strategy, as well as attending negotiating sessions with the EU in areas that fall in whole or in part under provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Provincial and territorial officials involved in the CETA negotiations form part of the Canadian delegation. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has several representatives engaged in the negotiations. This includes not only the representatives who attend negotiating sessions with the EU, but also other government officials in various Newfoundland and Labrador government departments who are consulted on different aspects of the negotiations.

[International Trade, September 17th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Natural Resources is actually in Japan and Korea this week where he is promoting and diversifying our energy economy as the dynamic markets of the Asia Pacific create new opportunities for Canada's natural gas sector.

On the other hand, the NDP would impose a $20 billion job-killing carbon tax that would raise prices on everything, including gas, groceries and hydro. Our government opposes these reckless plans and will continue to stand up for hard-working Canadians.

[International Trade, June 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as usual, the NDP has it all wrong. As with all of our international trade obligations, our government will vigorously promote Canadian interests across all sectors.

What we seek is a balanced outcome. That has been the case in every single free trade agreement that Canada has ever signed.

Of course, the NDP members are ideologically opposed to trade. In fact, they voted against every single free trade agreement that Canada has ever passed into law. Shame on them.

[International Trade, June 20th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government remains focused on the priorities of Canadians, which are economic growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. That member should understand that trade is a key driver of economic growth, which is why we are so focused on expanding trade in the Asia–Pacific economies. I wish that member would join with us in building economic prosperity, rather than shooting from the sidelines.

[Questions on the Order Paper, June 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, in response to questions (a), (b) and (c), during each of the fiscal years from 2000 to 2011, Canadian Commercial Corporation, CCC, did not provide funding or financial assistance to Canadian businesses operating in Cuba.

In Cuba, CCC enters into a contract with a foreign government entity for the purchase of products and services from Canada and, in turn, enters into a contract with a Canadian supplier to fulfill the obligations of the foreign government contract. As part of the method of payment of this contract, CCC pays the Canadian supplier for the invoiced value of the goods provided and extends payment to the Cuban purchaser of goods, who then pays CCC within a certain number of days, as specified in the contract.