Karen Ludwig

[Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act, November 22nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I heard earlier today from another colleague in the opposition that over the last 10 years, 55 new trade agreements have been signed. I want to raise this because I think that fact is excellent. However, I also want to mention that of the one million small to medium-sized enterprises in Canada, only 41,000 are exporting. My hon. colleague talked about taking advantage of the policies.

What has the government done over the last 10 years to expand on the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, and programs and studies between universities and colleges to support businesses not only entering the export market but also helping them to sustain themselves in the export market, because that has not been done well, in my experience.

[Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act, November 22nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, at the international trade committee, we heard from the chief trade negotiator, Steve Verheul. Regarding the cost of drugs, he said specifically that it is very difficult to conduct a specific analysis, mainly because the types of changes we will see with the changes to the Patent Act, particularly for the additional two years of protection, are not likely to kick in until the agreement has been in place for probably eight years or more, at least for the majority of changes.

Looking at the changes in agreements with the provinces, the provinces are on board regarding CETA. Certainly Health Canada could do a substantial amount of work looking at reducing overall drug costs in Canada.

Looking at what the chief negotiator said, how can we make any prediction about the cost of drugs without scaring the general public with “what ifs”?

[Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act, November 22nd, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my hon. colleague, not only on his speech but also on his work on the international trade committee.

My question is this. With the U.S. not being a signatory to CETA, what would the advantages and benefits be to Canada as the gateway between the European Union and the United States?

[Attractions in New Brunswick Southwest, November 17th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, as this is entrepreneur week, I am pleased to rise in the House and share a few of the many attractions brought to us by the good people of New Brunswick Southwest—the gateway to the Atlantic experience. At Roosevelt Campobello International Park, one can stroll around the summer home of president Theodore Roosevelt in one of Canada's few international parks. At Ministers Island, one can drive over the ocean floor, but if people plan poorly their car will be 15 feet under the full tide. We have whales just as Toronto has squirrels. Grand Manan is the dulse capital of Canada; those who do not know what dulse is should Google it. If people like golf, they should visit St. Andrews by-the-Sea, but be careful not to hit the par three too hard at hole 12 or it will end up in the Atlantic Ocean, and its next stop is Ireland.

There are hundreds more amazing got-to-see sights in the riding of New Brunswick Southwest, but one will never know if one never goes.

[Status of Women, November 16th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, next year Canada will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. During the year, we will be celebrating our history, our achievements, and our common values, which include gender equality.

Can the Minister of Status of Women inform the House how our government will promote equality in 2017?

[Business of Supply, October 20th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, my question involves the support services for Yazidi women and girls if and when they arrive in Canada.

Quite often this afternoon, I heard a comparison being made of another refugee group to Yazidi women and girls. As a teacher as well, I know there is a need for socialization, for groups to be cohesive.

How much preparation is required and what is involved in having services here on the ground that best meet the needs of these women and girls arriving in Canada, when they do not travel with families?

They leave one isolated area, some of them having lived in camps, and others having been through horrendous circumstances, and come to a foreign land, where they know no one.

In my experience, with the Syrian families in my riding, they were well-accepted and supported by families. They had not been involved in the level of violence that the young Yazidi women have, so they were more easily accepted, prepared, and supported within the community.

Support services really need to be seriously looked at. What is the best fit for the needs of these women and girls arriving in Canada?

[Business of Supply, October 20th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, my question for the hon. member would be on the specialized treatment for the Yazidi women and young girls. What would be involved in terms of the specialized training, the preparation, pulling those resources together, as well as translators, so that when they do arrive here, we can adequately help them work through this process?

[Business of Supply, October 17th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, certainly supporting any aspect of the softwood lumber industry is absolutely critical for this government, and I would say for everyone here in the House. I think we stand united, that we do not want to see job losses and that we also want to see the industry supported. We also want to see the industry supported with adaptability. A number of people before the international trade committee noted the importance of adaptability, of entering new markets, not being so dependent on one market, looking at how we need to diversify and become innovative. We had to do that in Atlantic Canada because of our heavy dependence on trade with the U.S. Certainly, it is a concern. Any time there are jobs lost in any of our communities, but especially in rural communities, it is extremely significant because of the ripple effect. We have seen in Atlantic Canada that so many families have moved from the east to the west to search for jobs and have not come back.

[Business of Supply, October 17th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we heard before the trade committee from Gaston Poitras, the chair of the Atlantic Lumber Producers, that more than 50% of the timber that is exported is actually from private land. That does make a difference. They do not want to see a change to that.

They also talked about the significance of the new survey methods that have been used in Atlantic Canada. Those survey methods are to keep track and collect data on the stumpage rates in Atlantic Canada. Also, we have evidence, if there is an opening of the agreement and the Maritimes are looked at being potentially part of tariffs and non-tariff issues, to suggest that we are well in compliance and we are not a subsidized industry.

[Business of Supply, October 17th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of issues there. Over the past 10 years, our industries have changed, our economies have changed, the competing products have also changed. Within that 10-year period, I wonder what was being done to support the lumber industry as it was.

We heard from people who were before the international trade committee about the loss of market share during that 10-year period. It was not only due to the lack of negotiations, it was also due to the changing markets.

Between 2005 and 2009, there was a decline of 70% of the softwood lumber exports to the U.S. from the Atlantic provinces. There was a declining housing market. In addition, we heard from Duncan Davies, the president of Interfor Corporation, from British Columbia, who talked about the loss of market share to competing products. Within that 10-year period, the market changed. There was the introduction of competing products, such as steel composite and cement in the housing industry.

We have to have agreements in 2016, 10 years later, that reflect the changing market, not only on our side of the border, but also on the U.S. side, because it is looking to protect its own industry. We have to find an agreement that works best for both sides of the border.