House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2021, with 62% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Mr. Chair, as the minister responsible for both small business and international trade, I can assure the member that standing up for small businesses is at the very core of what I do. Standing up for Canada's forestry sector and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that it employs across the country is what we do.
We will vigorously defend their interests and, as I have reiterated to the United States, a negotiated agreement is indeed in the best interest of both countries.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Mr. Chair, I have shared and reiterated Canada's position to the U.S. trade representative as well as the commerce secretary that a negotiated agreement is possible and it is in the best interests of both countries.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Mr. Chair, we know that the current duties imposed on softwood lumber are both unfair and unwarranted, and they are causing harm to Canadian communities and certainly including those in the U.S. as well home builders and consumers. We have consistently shared with the United States that we would be ready to enter into a dialogue around a negotiated settlement.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, essential goods and services continue to flow between the borders, ensuring that food remains in our grocery stores and that critical supplies get into Canada, including medicines and medical supplies. We have done this in an effort to ensure we are keeping Canadians healthy and safe, but essential goods and—
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, the result of the last five years and the relationship despite challenges has come out well for Canadians, for Canadian steel and aluminum, and for our workers. Canada and the U.S. will benefit from our interconnected supply chains. We will make this case every single time. We will take a team Canada approach, working with exporters and workers, so that we are growing jobs on both sides of our border.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I just want to clarify that Canada is exempt from buy America requirements due to the WTO agreement on general procurement. If there is an effort to expand or introduce new domestic content requirements under buy America, we will absolutely ensure that this does not affect Canadian supply chains.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, this is an area of extreme importance to Canada's economy. Our supply chain is inextricably connected to the United States. We will work with the United States to ensure there is no impact on Canada's exports.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I am so proud of Canada's trade agreements which are inclusive, helping more people trade. In these agreements, we have built out those inclusive provisions so we are providing that kind of framework for our small and medium-sized businesses, women entrepreneurs, indigenous entrepreneurs and young entrepreneurs to grow and to scale up into those global markets.
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I am so pleased to have the opportunity to get at the heart of what the hon. colleague was talking about and the agreements we have negotiated across the world.
It is more than just the numbers that we talk about and how our trade agreements are providing access to 1.5 billion customers in the global marketplace. It is more than the fact that we are seeing more trade flow, even during this pandemic. It is about who trades. We are building back better and that means helping our small and medium-sized businesses, our women entrepreneurs, our Black business owners, indigenous entrepreneurs and young entrepreneurs.
We have, throughout this pandemic, pivoted—
Business of Supply May 31st, 2021
Madam Chair, I want to assure the hon. member that we will continue to work to support our dairy farmers in Quebec and throughout Canada.