Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, we are expanding our partnership around the world, including in the Indo-Pacific. Canada and Taiwan enjoy strong economic and people-to-people ties, consistent with our long-standing one China policy. We will continue to stand up for Canadian interests as we diversify trade and strengthen relationships with reliable trading partners around the world.
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the distinct honour of tabling, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United Arab Emirates for the Promotion and Protection of Investments”, done at Abu Dhabi on November 20, 2025.
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Madam Speaker, I appreciate my friend and colleague's very important question in terms of the ecosystem that we are developing. I spent 13 years in the private sector facilitating international trade for hundreds of businesses. We need to continue to step up to give those businesses the tools to get export-ready. In budget 2025, we have announced the Canadian SME export readiness program to get bu…
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moved that Bill C-18, An Act to implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Canada and Indonesia, be read the second time and referred to a committee. Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to share my time with the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands.
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Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his important work on the trade committee and as my critic. It is an important time. The member opposite mentioned the Prime Minister. We have been clear with Canadians since the very start. Just over eight months ago, during the election, we promised Canadians that we would be out there diversifying our trading partners, along with in the Speech from the Thro…
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Madam Speaker, with respect to human rights, labour and the environment remain at the heart of our trade policies and our high-standard trade agreements. Canada is deliberate and mindful when negotiating trade agreements, and we prioritize Canadian values, protecting workers' rights and environmental standards. Building new trading partners around the world is an important driver to promote econom…
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Madam Speaker, I rise today with pride and conviction to speak in support of Bill C-18, legislation that will bring into force the Canada-Indonesia comprehensive economic partnership agreement. This is a consequential moment for Canada, a moment to choose engagement over hesitation, diversification over dependence, and action over rhetoric. It is a moment to demonstrate that Canada understands the…
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of jobs for the good people of Brampton, Ontario, the new government is making a record $2-billion federal investment for the new SMR energy project in Darlington, Ontario. This will create 18,000 new jobs. Our energy sector is world-renowned and will continue to open doors for new exports around the world.
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-18, An Act to implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Canada and Indonesia. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his good work on the international trade committee and, of course, for the good people of Mississauga. Indonesia is the eighth-largest economy in the world, with a population of 280 million potential consumers. The trade agreement we tabled this morning will cut tariffs and open new opportunities in aerospace, agri-food, agriculture, critical min…
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), and in accordance with the enhanced transparency requirement set out in the amended policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the immense honour of tabling, in both official languages, the economic impact assessment for the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
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Mr. Speaker, the MOU is about building Canada strong with the people of Alberta. I was born in Calgary. I talk to Albertans every single day, and they know that our Prime Minister is bringing Canadians together to build big things and to build a stronger economy. Meanwhile, the Conservative leader has spent 20 years in the House, including as a minister, and has built nothing. He continues to divi…
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of jobs, we are focused on creating jobs for the good workers in Brampton and across Ontario. The Prime Minister committed $2 billion to build small modular reactors in Ontario, a project that will create 18,000 jobs in Ontario and help build Canada as an energy superpower. We can look at the opportunities we are creating through nuclear exports, a sector valued to create 90,…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his advocacy for farmers in his region. That is something that I am happy to follow up on with CFIA and Health Canada. Speaking of the agriculture sector, the agreements I have spoken about will unlock new opportunities in markets around the world. We look at the CPTPP trading block, which consists of over 500 million potential consumers. When I am…
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Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Cardigan. I rise today in support of Bill C-13, legislation that confirms Canada's ratification of the United Kingdom's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or the CPTPP. This legislation is part of Canada's ongoing story as one of the world's greatest trading nations. Like any great sto…
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Mr. Speaker, through you, I would like to thank the member for his incredible work on the trade file and for representing his constituents so well. We have been talking about our farmers, and I was in different regions across the country, talking to farmers who grow fruits. Of course, the member mentioned Vietnam. It has been a huge market since we signed the CPTPP back a few years ago, in 2018. W…
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Mr. Speaker, I hope to answer my colleague one day in French, as I am learning. I do miss my time on the trade committee with the member opposite. We are in a crisis today, and the Prime Minister has been very clear about this. This is not a speed bump. This is a rupture in the current trading environment. I spent 13 years in international trade prior to politics, facilitating trade for hundreds o…
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moved: That this committee take note of Canada's auto industry.
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Mr. Speaker, speaking of facts, including creating opportunities for the workers in Brampton, here are some facts: the Prime Minister secured a $70-billion investment from the U.A.E. into Canada; the German navy has committed $1 billion for Canadian-made defence equipment; Finnish Nokia recently broke ground on a new $340-million facility in Ottawa; and, few weeks ago, Malaysia Petronas signed a 2…
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Mr. Speaker, speaking about trade, Canadians know that two-thirds of our economy is powered by trade. We are opening doors for Canadian products to reach new global markets. We signed new trade deals with Ecuador and Indonesia, and an investment agreement with the U.A.E., securing a $70-billion commitment for more investments in Canada. That is what this government is focused on: opening new doors…
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for her important work on Filipino Heritage Month. Last week, I joined the Prime Minister in the Indo-Pacific, one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, to expand trade and investment opportunities for Canadians. We announced the launch of the Filipino and Thailand free trade agreement and led forward on the Canada-ASEAN FTA. The numbers typic…
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Mr. Speaker, young Canadians vividly remember when the Conservative Leader of the Opposition stood up and voted against the removal of interest from Canada student loans that saves young Canadians thousands of dollars every year. The new government will always stand up for young Canadians. Yesterday the Prime Minister announced that we will double non-U.S. exports by $300 billion. That means thous…
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Mr. Speaker, our new government is supporting young Canadians with the skills and opportunities they need to build their futures. This is why, when the Prime Minister announced on campus just yesterday that we will double Canada's non-U.S. exports over the next decade, it mattered. We are talking about two-thirds of our economy driven by international trade. It means millions of jobs and more care…
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moved for leave to introduce Bill C-13, An Act to implement the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
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Mr. Speaker, there is good news: Today we tabled legislation to expand the CPTPP trading bloc to welcome our partners from the United Kingdom, which is a major step forward for Canadian trade. Why the U.K.? The U.K. is Canada's third-largest trading partner. Last year alone, it represented $28 billion of Canadian exports. That is billions of dollars of Canadian products produced by Canadian worker…
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians elected this government to protect, build and transform our economy. We are protecting and supporting our industries with a new $5-billion strategic response fund and the $1-billion tariff relief initiative, which will give thousands of Canadian businesses financial support to access new global markets. We are building Canada with new nation-building projects, which will lea…
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Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2) and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Decision No 1/2024 of the Joint Committee on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications of 10 October 2024 setting out an agreement on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications for arch…
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Madam Speaker, our government expects Canadian companies to respect human rights at home and abroad. Canada’s National Contact Point is part of our commitment to further the effectiveness of OECD guidelines. The guidelines are the most complete and authoritative set of global standards on how to run a business responsibly. Canada’s National Contact Point contributes to the resolution of disputes. …
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Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Hamilton Mountain for her tireless work in her community. This is a game-changing announcement: Canada and Indonesia have signed a free trade agreement. Indonesia has a $2-trillion economy, and it is a huge market for Canadian goods produced by Canadian workers in communities across Canada. This is one way that our international efforts are leadi…
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Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is building bridges internationally, and I have good news for Canadians. We just signed a generational trade agreement with Indonesia, the fourth-largest country in the world, with over 275 million potential consumers and the fastest-growing middle class that is looking to buy Canadian products. This is another concrete example of how our international efforts are o…
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Mr. Speaker, as we look at what is happening with global trade headwinds, we need to step up as a country and be there around the world to make sure countries know that we are here. They want to deal with a reliable, stable trading partner. It is our 15th free trade agreement with 51 different countries, with access to the 1.5 billion consumers countries rely on and Canadian workers rely on. That …
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Mr. Speaker, I will not go to personal attacks, as the member opposite did. We will focus on the facts. There are people watching in the gallery. I think it is very important to know that Canada and Mexico have shared over 30 years of strong friendship and economic partnerships rooted in trust, trade and mutual respect. In fact, Canadian direct investment in Mexico was over $45 billion in 2024. Th…
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Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Davenport for her efforts in bringing together the Canadian Brazilian business community. It is those insights that I took to Brazil a few weeks ago as we announced the launch of Canada-Mercosur discussions, a trading bloc consisting of over 250 million potential consumers who want to buy more Canadian products. This is just one of the many initiatives that our …
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Mr. Speaker, under the provisions of Standing Order 32(2), and consistent with the policy on the tabling of treaties in Parliament, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the treaty entitled “Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership” done at Auckland and Bandar…
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Madam Chair, that is a very important question from my colleague. Canada is very lucky to have a diverse group of citizens from all around the world who help bring relationships together. In my community of Brampton, we have a growing African diaspora, including Kenyans and those from Nigeria, who are coming together and really pushing trade. I was actually in Kenya last year, where we talked abou…
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Madam Chair, that is a very important question around trade agreements and why they are important to our economy. Currently, Canada has 15 trade agreements, opening access to over 50 countries and 1.5 billion consumers. When we sign a trade agreement, it is not only about trade; it is also about investments, so that sends a clear signal to Canadian investors and Canadian expertise to create jobs i…
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Madam Chair, it is important to note that we are working hard to make sure that discussions continue to flow, and President—
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Mr. Speaker, Canadians have given us a mandate to diversify trade, and that is what we will stay focused on, because that is what those watching at home want us to focus on.
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Madam Chair, as I was saying, the Prime Minister had a discussion with the premier in China. These discussions are ongoing at the highest levels to ensure that we continue to ensure that Canadian companies have—
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Madam Chair, I look forward to working with the Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade as he advances discussions on this with our American counterparts. At the same time, Canada is ready to strengthen our trading relationships overseas, especially with partners who share our commitment to rules-based trade. Trade diversification is not just about avoiding the risks that come from relying too …
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Mr. Speaker, as you know, my mandate is to help diversify trade around the world for Canadian businesses. That is what Canadian businesses expect us to do, especially when we go through some difficulties with our neighbour down south, and that is what my focus will be as a trade minister.
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Mr. Speaker, I think we need to come back to the issue at hand. Canadians want us to stay focused on trade diversification, especially the Minister of International Trade. That question would be more related to CBSA and to the Minister of Public Safety.
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Mr. Speaker, the softwood lumber industry, whether in B.C., in Ontario, across Canada, in Quebec or in eastern Canada, is a very important industry to us as a government and to the workers. We will continue to support them, but we want to make sure we get the best deal possible.
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Mr. Speaker, of course, our EV sector, our auto sector, is very important, especially in my neck of the woods. In Brampton, we have Stellantis, right in my riding. I think it is important that we continue to support the workers and the industry through innovation and through—
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Yes, Madam Chair, the Philippines provides ample opportunities. Earlier today, I met with leaders from the agriculture sector who talked about the agriculture office that we opened in Manila, Philippines, and the type of opportunities that office is providing. Now we see more of our beef going to that region and more of our meat products going to the Philippines. It is an important region that we …
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Mr. Speaker, one in six jobs depend on trade, and Canadians expect us to continue to focus on trade at this very moment. We are in a crisis, and we need to stay focused here.
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Mr. Speaker, today we are answering questions as ministers on our respective files. I think that is very important to note for those watching at home.
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Madam Chair, I got sworn in, and in my very first week we were running out the door and making sure we are representing this country really well. I attended the inauguration of President Noboa. Ecuador is an important market for us, roughly 20 million people. We have marked the conclusion of negotiations on a trade agreement that will be coming to Parliament for ratification very soon. There are r…
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Madam Chair, it is important that we protect the industry. Today I met with representatives of the canola industry, and we talked about tariffs and about markets we can open up. These are discussions that are happening at the highest levels to—
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Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important, when we come back to it, that the U.S. is an important partner for Canada. We know companies rely on trade with the U.S., but as we rely on that trade, we want to make sure we open up new markets around the world. That is what our businesses are asking for at this time, and I will continue to focus on that as the Minister of Trade.
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