Canada- U.S. Relations  Mr. Speaker, no one is going to rely on the NDP to stand up for the interests of hard-working Canadians who want to travel across the border. It is only this government that has taken steps to remove the thickening at our border, to move security to the perimeter and strengthen security around our borders.

Canada- U.S. Relations  Mr. Speaker, we have made it very clear to our American partners that any new taxes and other trade barriers threaten the economic recovery in both our countries. Last week, the NDP trade critic actually expressed sympathy for the American position on buy American provisions. Instead of expressing sympathy, the NDP should be standing up for ordinary hard-working Canadians.

Canada-U.S. Relations  Mr. Speaker, what is not surprising is that the member continues not to stand up for Canadians. While that member has been grandstanding in the House, we have been raising this issue with the Americans for some time. As the member should know, the U.S. is sovereign and has a right to impose this tax.

Canada-U.S. Relations  Mr. Speaker, we welcome the U.S. ambassador's, David Jacobson, assurances that no new taxes on cargo entering the United States from Canada will be forthcoming. We also share his view that the Canada-U.S. trading relationship is the very best on earth. We will defend Canada's competitive advantages, especially with respect to its ports.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, we have made it clear, time and time again, that we are defending supply management. We are standing up for the farmers and their families of this country. The truth is that the NDP is opposed to trade. That is the reality of it and the proof is in the pudding. The NDP members talk big about trade and about fair trade but what they really mean is no trade at all.

Canada-U.S. Relations  Mr. Speaker, we have made it very clear, time and time again, that we are focused on building Canada's economy and on creating jobs. I was in the United States yesterday and the day before meeting with my counterpart and meeting with key decision-makers in the United States making it very clear that barriers to trade hurt both of our countries.

Canada-U.S. Relations  Mr. Speaker, I do not accept the premise of that question. As I have repeatedly said, any new tax, any new barrier at the border raises consumer costs--

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, our government understands that closer and deeper economic ties between Canada and Asia will benefit both our countries by creating more jobs, opportunities and prosperity. The facts are this. I was in China last week demonstrating what Canada has to offer and to help expand our trade and investment relationship.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, while that member was here grandstanding, I was in Washington dealing with my counterpart and meeting with key decision-makers and business people in the United States. In these challenging times, deeper trade ties are the best way to create jobs on both sides of the border.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, any new tax is a bad idea as it raises costs on consumers. Canada's ports and railways are competing fairly. The Asia-Pacific gateway initiative that the member refers to is working as intended. We will defend Canada's competitive advantage wherever it is threatened.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, I would encourage that member to visit my part of the country to see what is actually going on there. While the member opposite engages in unhelpful rhetoric, both my parliamentary secretary as well as the chairman of the international trade committee are on the ground in Washington, D.C. today raising this very issue with their counterparts.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, on May 2 Canadians gave the government a very strong mandate to focus on economic growth and the creation of jobs. Our focus is on removing trade barriers, not erecting new ones. I wish the member would join us as we stand up for Canadians.

Canada-U.S. Relations  Mr. Speaker, it was actually the Liberal Party that slept through 13 long years on the trade file. It was the WTO that recently pointed out that Canada's considerably expanded free trade agreement agenda marks a departure with its past practice. What practice are we referring to?

Canada-U.S. Relations  Mr. Speaker, we have stated time and again that trade is critical to Canada's long-term prosperity. We have been working very hard to impress upon our American neighbours that protectionism hurts not only Canadians, but it hurts Americans. It takes away jobs and it takes away the robustness of global trade.

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Calgary Northeast for the excellent question and for his hard work to advance our job-creating pro-trade plan. The agreement he refers to will encourage two-way trade and investment by providing certainty and predictability for investors.