House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Foreign Investment October 31st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, it is important that Canadian investors have long-term protection in Chinese markets. This agreement will generate unprecedented development for our country. That is why we have universal support from the business community.
It is important that we pursue these objectives and take action. We are here to take action for Canadian investors and that is what we intend to do.
Foreign Investment October 31st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, once again, we are achieving, for the first time, long-term protection for Canadian investors in China. That is an important thing for our country. Chinese investors have long been able to expect that there will be lawful procedures in our country. It is important that we get the same gains for Canadians in China. That is why this agreement is important. That is why it has been received virtually 100% favourably by the Canadian investment community and why we are committed to moving forward.
Foreign Investment October 31st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, that is completely false. For the first time, Canadian investors will have protection in China. That is why the business community is nearly 100% in favour of this agreement. We are committed to pursuing this objective.
The NDP says that it is for trade but it has opposed trade with anybody. The NDP even said that it was a sellout for Canada to have a free trade agreement with the United States. That kind of extremism on trade is why Canadians will never entrust economic policy to the NDP.
Foreign Investment October 31st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the NDP says that he would revoke the hard-earned right of Canadian investors to be protected in a marketplace like China. That is precisely why Canadian investors, the Canadian business community and the Canadian public at large do not trust the NDP with economic policy.
We know that China is an important market. We know that Canadians need investment protection there. This agreement does that and we are very pleased to be moving it forward.
Foreign Investment October 31st, 2012
Mr. Speaker, for almost two decades, Canadian governments have been trying to get a foreign investment protection and promotion agreement with China for one very simple reason: Canadian investors have not had the kind of protection in China that Chinese investors have in Canada.
This agreement would allow us to move forward. That is why it has seen an almost entirely positive response from Canadian investors. They want to see this go forward and we are committed to giving them the kind of protection they need.
Foreign Investment October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, these are all questions we ask ourselves, none of which the member asked himself when he was in government.
Far from being unhappy today, I am actually quite pleased. I do particularly want to pay note to the decision of the Supreme Court today, which said and let me quote, “we reject the [Liberal] candidate's attempt to disenfranchise entitled voters and so undermine public confidence in the electoral process”. This is a great day for Canadian—
Foreign Investment October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, there seems to be a mass outbreak of amnesia down there in that corner. When the Liberal Party was in government, it never once refused any foreign takeover for any reason whatsoever.
We understand that foreign investment does and can contribute massively to the development of our economy, to jobs and growth. We also understand that these investments have to be looked at very carefully to ensure they are in benefit of this country. That is what this government is doing.
Foreign Investment October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the reality is that we have now started to see positive growth in this relationship on our side as well, including the completion of a foreign investment protection and promotion agreement that Canadian investors have welcomed. Canadians are finally glad to have a Conservative government governing this relationship.
Foreign Investment October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this is a fascinating question coming from a party under whose administration Canada had virtually no growth in its trade and investment in China, but Chinese trade and investment just increased here by leaps and bounds. Of course—
Foreign Investment October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry still needs to make those decisions.
We recognize that foreign investment can create jobs and can promote long-term prosperity for Canadians. We must carefully ensure that these transactions have a net benefit for the Canadian economy.
That is what the government will do.