International Trade  Mr. Speaker, how about a trade deal that benefits Canadians? The fact is that the minister just appointed a panel of trade advisers without one single defender of supply management. Three out of ten are actually opposed, and John Manley even called supply management “an obstacle”

Republic of the Philippines Independence Day  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise and bring to all members' attention that today, June 12, is Independence Day in the Republic of the Philippines. As co-chair of the Canada-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group, I extend congratulations and warm wishes from all parties in the

Extension of Sitting Hours  Mr. Speaker, in answer to one of my colleague's questions, I think the hon. colleague on the other side said that Canadians send us here to make decisions. That is true. However, Canadians also have an official opposition which is an important feature of our British parliamentary

Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, that is a very thoughtful question, and I thank the member for it. First, I cannot comment on CETA because there has been no text released to us, and one thing the New Democrats believe in strongly is that we should see the text before commenting. At least, that is

Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, the only long list I have is a list of the Liberal flip-flops that goes back decades in this country. I believe it was the Liberal Party that opposed the free trade agreement with the United States. I believe it was Liberal Party members who said they would withdra

Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for the important work he did on the international trade file before me. The majority of Canadians want two things in our trade agreements. First, they want a well-structured trade agreement that will benefit Canada and their

Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, that is a fair question. I have not had a chance to review the Panama agreement, but I can say that we can distinguish our support for this deal from others, including Panama and Colombia, with some reasons at this point. For example, Jordan has better labour stand

Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, I am going back to my question, because I have to advise my hon. colleague in the Liberal Party that it has not really been answered. The amendment that was put at committee was to amend the legislation in this House so that Canada would monitor the human rights, la

Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise to speak on behalf of the official opposition New Democrats about Bill C-23, an act to implement the free trade agreement between Canada and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The bill affords me my first opportunity to speak in this House, not onl

Canada–Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act  Mr. Speaker, I agree with much of my hon. colleague's speech. I would like to ask the member for his opinion on a particular issue. A common issue that arises in trade agreements is the effect trade agreements have or do not have on raising or lowering the human rights, labour

International Trade  Mr. Speaker, drug costs are one of the fastest rising expenses in our health care system, yet, despite this fact, the government is ready to surrender more patent protection to pharmaceutical companies in its negotiations for the comprehensive economic and trade agreement with Eu

Food and Drugs Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House and not only speak to Bill C-313 but also to offer the support of the official opposition, the New Democratic Party, to the proposed legislation. This enactment will amend the Food and Drugs Act to deem that a non-corrective cos

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, we have asked the Conservative government to make an apology in the House of Commons. It refused. When the NDP forms the government in 2015, what would an NDP government do with respect to this issue, if and when it is in power?

Petitions  Madam Speaker, I have a second petition. It is from the Fijian community, which is 100,000 strong. The petitioners are calling yet again for the establishment of a high commission in the Republic of the Fiji Islands. The United States, China, Australia and New Zealand all have

Petitions  Madam Speaker, it is my honour to present a petition that is the result of the tireless efforts of youth in Vancouver. Ethan Trinh, Kaitlyn Fung, Nick Nguygen, Angela Ho, Lucas Chan, Chris Ly and Amy Bui formed a group called Youth For Climate Justice Now. Together they gathered