First Nations Financial Transparency Act  Mr. Speaker, it is almost trite to say but profoundly important to remember that governing is about priorities and choices. A majority government is in a unique position in this regard. A majority government can control the parliamentary agenda and research whatever issue it wish

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague talked about fiction. Given the numbers about trade under the government's watch since 2006, I think we are talking about a horror story. We have gone from a $26 billion trade surplus when the Conservatives took office in 2006 to a $50 billion trade

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, I stood in the House on June 18, 2012, and posed a question in response to the announcement from the Conservatives that Canada would join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which followed on an announcement of a new advisory panel on international trade issues. At that t

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, it was quite a treat to listen to the combination of myths, fantasy and distortion from my hon. colleague opposite. I would like a factual answer to a serious question. The hon. member sits on the trade committee with me and he heard the evidence we heard, that Pan

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his question and for his great service to the committee. My hon. colleague was sitting in committee with me when we were questioning DFAIT officials to get an idea of the economics involved. He, as well as I, heard that to

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, I agree in general that trade policy has a number of aims including, hopefully, to boost the standard of living in each country. It is a fair question as to whether or not that actually happens with certain agreements. It depends on the countries involved and it depe

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. I have not even heard any attempt by the government to answer the question of why it would not agree with the official opposition and wait to make sure we have the kind of tax transparency legislation in place that we know is necessary.

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, that is a thoughtful question. I would turn it around and argue that if one were to make the argument that the only way to raise standards in another country were to engage in trade with it, then we should sign free trade agreements with every single country in the w

Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand today in the House and speak to Bill C-24, the Canada-Panama trade agreement. The full name is an act to implement the free trade agreement between Canada and the Republic of Panama, the agreement on the environment between Canada and the Republ

Privilege  Mr. Speaker, as you know from the letter I deposited with your office just over an hour ago, I am rising on a question of privilege relating to an unfortunate incident that began this morning and has been continuing throughout the day. I will, through the course of my remarks, a

Foreign Investment  Mr. Speaker, tens of thousands of Canadians have written to parliamentarians about the Canada–China investment agreement. They are seeking consultation, caution and transparency on this new deal. However, yesterday the Minister of International brushed off these concerns. He said

Foreign Investment  Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have had 21 days to schedule debate in the House and they have failed to do so. They control the agenda in the House, not us. I now have a question for the chair of the international trade committee. This deal needs review by experts, provinces, b

Foreign Investment  Mr. Speaker, misleading spin does not change the fact that the minister is rushing a risky deal with China. Unlike Conservatives, New Democrats believe in consultation and transparency. This agreement could cost taxpayers billions of dollars, and it will last for at least 31 year

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, a Conservative trade policy that raises drug costs to Canadians from $2 billion to $3 billion a year is not the kind of trade policy that Canadians want. I notice that my hon. friend did not say a single word to refute that. The government refers to its record on t

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight with regard to the comprehensive economic and trade agreement with the European Union, or CETA. Specifically, I will follow up on a question I asked in the House following a leaked Health Canada report that suggested that the government may consent to