Mary Ng

[Canada-U.S. Relations, November 25th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, we, of course, are very disappointed with the result of the administrative review that will increase tariffs for the Canadian softwood lumber industry and forestry sector. This is an issue that we take very seriously. We will continue to defend our workers and our forestry sector.

What the opposition member says is correct. The WTO, as well as panels in NAFTA, found Canada to be fair in its trading practices. We will continue to fight for Canadian workers and forestry workers all the time.

[International Trade, November 24th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and in accordance with the enhanced transparency requirement set out in the amended policy of tabling of treaties in Parliament, I am pleased to notify the House of Commons of the government's intent to initiate negotiations toward a free trade agreement between Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN. The Government of Canada intends to commence negotiations by holding a first round of negotiations with ASEAN no later than 90 days from the date of this notice. In accordance with this policy, Canada is negotiating objectives for the Canada-ASEAN FTA, which will also be tabled in the House of Commons no later than 30 days before Canada holds its first round of negotiations with ASEAN.

I am also pleased to present to the House of Commons the Government of Canada's negotiating objectives for a Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The Government of Canada intends to commence negotiations by holding a first round of negotiations with Indonesia as soon as practicable, but in accordance with this policy the first round will take place no earlier than 30 days from today.

[Small Business, June 22nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his strong advocacy for small businesses in Guelph and indeed across Canada.

Our government knows that small businesses are the backbone of the economy and will be critical to our recovery from COVID‑19. As the economy begins to open safely, our $33-million investment in the shop local initiative will encourage Canadians to shop at their local businesses, supporting those entrepreneurs and helping them recover more quickly.

From day one we have been there for businesses every step of the way throughout this pandemic, and we will continue to support them in this recovery.

[Forestry Industry, June 15th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, we are taking a team Canada approach, working hand in hand with the softwood lumber industry, with labour unions, with the provincial and territorial partners on all fronts. We have launched challenges in defence of Canadian softwood lumber. Consistently, Canada has seen victories that clearly demonstrate that our softwood lumber industry is in compliance with international trade rules and that Canada is a trading partner in good standing in the multilateral trading system.

We will continue to defend our softwood lumber industry and the workers that it employs.

[Forestry Industry, June 15th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by unequivocally stating that duties imposed by the U.S. on Canadian softwood lumber are unwarranted and unfair. I have raised this issue at every opportunity, including with President Biden, with the U.S. trade representative and with the commerce secretary. As we have always done and we will continue to do, we are going to vigorously defend our Canadian softwood lumber industry, its workers and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that it employs.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, June 10th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, Canada and the U.S. share one of the biggest agricultural trading relationships in the world, with nearly $51 billion in agricultural trade in 2020.

The WTO ruled in 2015 that mandatory COOL measures in the U.S. discriminated against Canadian exporters, and we expect the U.S. to continue abiding by this ruling and its WTO obligations.

Our government will continue to stand up for Canada's beef industry and for the workers whose jobs it supports, and we firmly oppose any new proposals from the U.S. to resurrect mandatory country of origin labelling for beef or pork.

[Canada-U.S. Relations, June 10th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, let me begin by saying unequivocally that the duties imposed by the U.S. on Canada's softwood lumber are both unwarranted and unfair. I have raised this issue at every opportunity possible, including with President Biden, Ambassador Tai and the commerce secretary, Secretary Raimondo. As we have always done, we are going to vigorously defend our softwood industry, as well as the hundreds of thousands of workers that it employs.

[Small Business, June 7th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country for his strong advocacy for small businesses.

We have been there for businesses every step of the way in this pandemic. On the road to recovery, we are investing $600 million with the Canada recovery hiring program. This will help businesses hire new workers, hire back workers or increase the hours and wages of existing workers and support a quicker recovery.

We are going to continue to be there for Canadian businesses and workers.

[Forestry Industry, June 7th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, this is a top priority for the government. I have raised this issue with the President and with the USTR, as well with the commerce secretary.

We have been working with Canadian industry, Canadian labour and Canadian communities that this issue impacts. I can assure members that I continue to vigorously defend the Canadian softwood lumber industry and the forestry sector, and we will continue to do this important work.

[Forestry Industry, June 7th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, let me state, again, unequivocally that the duties imposed by the U.S. on Canadian softwood lumber are unwarranted and unfair.

We will always vigorously defend our softwood lumber industry and workers. We will do this through litigation, whether it is chapter 19 in NAFTA or chapter 10 of CUSMA, as well as at the WTO, and I raise this issue at every opportunity. We will continue to work with the United States on this. We have consistently said, and reiterated, that it is in the best interests of both countries to reach a negotiated settlement.