Points of Order  Mr. Speaker, in question period today, the Minister of International Trade called me dishonest for raising facts that came out this summer in the international trade committee hearings on softwood lumber. He said it twice. It is unparliamentary and inappropriate language for the House of Commons.

International Trade committee  Yes. That's really my question. I know there are very strong bilateral organizations that have come from the communities themselves, but there is a disconnect between what's happening in those communities and the links in Southeast Asia, and the support that should normally be coming from the federal government.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I am little perplexed because there were Liberal members on the Standing Committee on International Trade who said very clearly that they supported standing up for Canadian jobs. I am a little perplexed by the member's opinion which seems to be contrary to members of the committee.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Berthier—Maskinongé for his question. I know that he also sits on the committee specifically to encourage this Parliament to make good decisions and make sure that the government stops dragging its feet. Important decisions have to be made to preserve jobs across this country.

International Trade committee  We'll go to Monsieur André and then to Peter Julian, but before we do, if any of the participants who have been invited would like to ask questions of others, feel free to notify the chair of that too. Monsieur André.

International Trade committee  That's not my question. My question is about these other countries that have a much more balanced approach to using trade as part of a series of levers and policies that actually bring most of the population up, rather than down—

International Trade committee  Mr. Chairman, perhaps I may say in conclusion that we know we have approximately $20 billion worth of work on domestic refurbishment and resupply of various vessels from the military, coast guard, our laker fleets, ferries, etc., but if a free trade deal like Korea happens, there is a good chance more yards may shut down.

International Trade committee  One of the interesting things about the shipbuilding industry—and this is where we're completely different from anybody at this table—is that we're not in the WTO. We have no rules. There are no WTO rules that really apply to us. We are the last of the wild west shootouts. Countries and governments can do any darn thing they want; there are no real regulations.

International Trade committee  I mean write the plan for supporting export facilitation--EDC offices, for example--and having more support through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for export facilitation.

International Trade committee  But as Ms. Guergis says, you are of course free to respond to that if you choose. You can make your own comment.

International Trade committee  I'm interested because this is very important information you are giving us. Over the same period in Canada we've actually seen increasing poverty. In fact, 80% of Canadian families' incomes have fallen. Only the top 10%, the wealthiest 10%, have seen their incomes skyrocket, and of course the top 1% have profited spectacularly in this period, so what we're seeing in Canada is much more income inequality.

International Trade committee  Clearly things went a little sour in the agriculture file. I'd like to come back to farming and Quebec's hog and pork industry. As Mr. Julian said, the Free Trade Agreement with the United States has adversely affected our employees' working conditions. Prices are more or less controlled in the pork industry which means that companies like Olymel, instead of increasing productivity, have had to cut wages and ask for sacrifices of as much as 30%, in order to survive.

Transport committee  Thank you for that. Particularly in terms of the timelines, I'm thinking of first response. I imagine there is a triage. We all go through that in our constituency offices, where we deal with the most urgent cases first, so I understand that it might vary according to the severity of the complaint and the immediacy of the support that the person might need.

Transport committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to come back to the question that we were working through; I'm sorry it was a lengthy question. In the example of somebody in Burnaby--New Westminster who has travel complaints and has contacted the agency through the toll-free number, how is that treated?

International Trade committee  That was not my question. For quite some time now, the industry has been asking for loan guarantees. We see that the Conservative Government here in Canada has tried to sidestep the issue by telling the industry it will be on life support if it doesn't sign this agreement, as bad as it may be.