Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Starred Question No. 259.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2019, with 50% of the vote.
Starred Questions November 5th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to call Starred Question No. 259.
Questions on the Order Paper November 5th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, the following questions will be answered today: Nos. 262 and 267.
Government Response to Petitions November 5th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 26 petitions.
Canada Pension Plan November 4th, 2003
Madam Speaker, the government has taken steps to find long term solutions to the problems facing the Canadian steel industry.
On October 6, for example, the government announced the creation of a North American steel trade committee with the United States and Mexico to ensure that steel trade in North America operated as efficiently as possible for the maximum benefit of both producers and users.
The committee will allow our three countries to discuss common approaches in global discussions aimed at addressing steel issues. The government and the Canadian steel industry will work together in this committee.
Canada is also actively engaged in discussions at the OECD with major steel producing countries to bring an end to steel subsidies and steel overcapacity worldwide, the root causes of the problems in steel trade.
The government has been and remains deeply committed to enforcing Canadian laws that protect the Canadian steel industry and other sectors of the Canadian economy against unfairly traded imports.
Canada Pension Plan November 4th, 2003
Madam Speaker, the government is very much aware of the problems of the global steel market caused by global overcapacity.
Indeed, in March 2002, the Government of Canada directed the Canadian International Trade Tribunal to conduct an inquiry into the importation of nine steel products in Canada, including reinforcing bars for concrete, and to make recommendations to address the situation if warranted.
In August 2002, the tribunal came back with its report and recommendations for action on five of the steel products. For four of the five products, the tribunal recommended action against imports from the United States and other countries. For the fifth product, reinforcing bars for concrete, it recommended a surtax against non-U.S. imports only.
The issues raised by the tribunal report were very complex and involved many stakeholders with competing interests. Over the several months following the CITT report, the government consulted extensively with stakeholders, including steel producers and steel users.
On October 6, 2003, the government announced its decision not to impose the surtax on imports that were recommended by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
The treatment of imports from the United States and the importance of a smoothly operating integrated North American steel market for both producers and consumers of steel were important considerations in making this decision.
Canada's obligations under international agreements were another important consideration. That said, the government is not sitting idly by.
In fact, the imports of reinforcing bars that the hon. member for Verchères—Les-Patriotes was referring to in his question are already covered under measures taken by the government in the application of Canadian trade remedy law. Imports of reinforcing bars from Turkey and nine other countries are subject to antidumping measures, which are administered by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
These measures ensure that imports of reinforcing bars from Turkey and those nine other countries do not enter the Canadian market at dumped prices that would hurt Canadian steel producers and workers.
In this regard, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is currently reviewing the measures to ensure that they reflect the current market situation.
Questions on the Order Paper November 4th, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Government Response to Petitions November 4th, 2003
Madam Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to nine petitions.
Questions on the Order Paper November 3rd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all questions be allowed to stand.
Government Response to Petitions November 3rd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to 10 petitions.
Order in Council Appointments November 3rd, 2003
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table, in both official languages, a number of order in council appointments made recently by the government.