Mary Ng

[Forestry Industry, June 7th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the hon. member and Canadians in the forestry sector that we will always stand up for them and the hundreds of thousands of workers that they employ across communities in the country.

Let me begin by saying, unequivocally, that the duties against Canadian softwood lumber by the U.S. are unjustified and they hurt workers on both sides of the border. I have raised this issue at every opportunity with the President and the USTR, as well as with the commerce secretary. Our government will continue to work on this issue. We will vigorously defend our softwood lumber industry and our workers.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, that matter is appropriate for the committees. They are operated for parliamentarians, by parliamentarians, and that would be the appropriate place.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, all witnesses who come before committees absolutely should feel free to provide the testimony as they do before our parliamentary committees.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, that is absolutely unacceptable. Our government champions human rights and defends them at home and abroad. We expect Canadian companies operating anywhere in the world to be fulfilling their ethical, responsible business conduct and to stand up for human rights wherever they work. Being a Canadian company that bears the good reputation—

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, under the CORE, first, it is the first-ever ombudsperson and she does have the tools and resources to carry out her function. She is able to report independently. She is able to launch investigations independently. Upon her recommendation, we can withhold from companies a—

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, yes, I will endeavour to get the member that number.

It was very good that the ombudsperson was able to launch her inquiry line, and that was done very recently. Of course, during this pandemic, to get staffed up and put her operation in place was slightly delayed, but her work is up and running. We have full confidence in the work that—

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, maybe I can find that and get it to the member in the next answer.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, I want to thank the hon. member for her advocacy on this issue.

We are very proud to have appointed the first-ever Canadian ombudsperson for responsible enterprise. In budget in 2021, we quadrupled the CORE's annual funding going forward. As she has testified at committee, she has the tools and resources necessary to ensure that companies are upholding their high standards for responsible business.

We will continue to work with the CORE to support her in working with Canadian enterprises so they indeed are Canadian companies that bear high ethical standards operating in Canada as well as around the world.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, I want to assure the hon. member that our government will always stand up for Canada's dairy industry, our farmers and our workers.

Let me also share with the member that in my meeting with the U.S. trade representative recently, we talked about North American competitiveness. We talked about the new NAFTA and how it will help to create jobs in both of our countries, as well as in Mexico. We talked about economic recovery and how we were going to deal with the very important issues of climate, labour and making trade inclusive so that small and medium-sized businesses will benefit from this very important agreement.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2021]

Mr. Chair, I would first start with reminding my hon. colleague that it is our government that protected the supply-managed sector. We are disappointed that the U.S. has requested a dispute panel, but we are confident in the administration of dairy TRQs and that they are in full compliance with the commitments under CUSMA.

Our government will continue to stand up for Canada's dairy industry, our farmers and our workers, and we will continue to protect and defend our supply management system.