International Trade committee  Canadian foreign trade is largely responsible for Canada's collective wealth. Reference has been made to multinationals. Let's look at the client base at the Port of Quebec. There are companies such as Southern Chemical Corporation, Glencore, Viterra Inc. and United Steel Corporation.

International Trade committee  Absolutely. That's the very basis. We need new spaces to meet that demand. Let's take for example Canadian oil, which is currently landlocked. That has really hurt the Canadian economy over the past few years. Let's not do the same to all industries. Let's make sure that we have the spaces needed to be able to engage in trade, and that's what agreements like the TPP are for.

International Trade committee  Again, it's tough to specifically mention one trade agreement versus another. Those are general conditions. Trade agreements help...I'll switch to French, if you don't mind. Trade agreements encourage trade. When agreements are signed between countries and there is business to be done, the process is improved.

International Trade committee  That's a tough one. I can't answer exactly, because the 13,000 jobs are direct and indirect. There are about 8,000 in the region. There are a lot of jobs in the services area, in transportation, rail, and shipping. Dock workers are among them; they are unionized. However, it's tough to give a percentage.

International Trade committee  No. It's tough to give a specific number of jobs, because it depends on the projects that will happen once it's signed, the economic context, and the price of commodities. The answer depends on many factors. Certainly trade is the lifeblood of the Port of Québec's activities. Any agreement that facilitates or encourages more trade between countries with which we already do business is a good thing.

International Trade committee  Good morning. My name is Patrick Robitaille, and I am the vice president of Port Business Development with the Québec Port Authority. I am accompanied by Alain Sans Cartier, director of Public Affairs and Communications, also with the Québec Port Authority. It is my turn to welcome you and thank you for being here in Québec to allow us to discuss the important issue of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.