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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government's priority is defending Canadians' interests, and that includes the interests of dairy farmers. Our government stood up for our supply management system despite the United States' determined attempts to dismantle it.
I can assure all dairy farmers that they will receive fair and equitable compensation.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I was in Havana nearly three weeks ago, and I spoke with diplomats at our embassy. I want to thank them for their excellent work, and I want to assure our diplomats and all Canadians that the health and safety of our diplomats and their families is our number one concern.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the NDP needs to understand that reopening this agreement would be like opening Pandora's box.
We have an agreement that preserves over two billion dollars' worth of trade daily. At best, the NDP is naive. At worst, it is playing political games by suggesting that Canadians would benefit from reopening this agreement.
If the NDP wants to follow Donald Trump's example and withdraw from NAFTA, it should have the guts to say so.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, there are so many misunderstandings in that question. It is hard to know where to start.
The Mexican president said today, speaking for Mexico, that Mexico intends to move ahead with its ratification process.
As I just said, the NDP is naive at best, and playing political games at worst, to suggest that Canadians would benefit from reopening this deal. If the NDP wants to take a page out of Donald Trump's playbook and withdraw from NAFTA, it should have the courage to tell Canadians that.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, how soon they forget. Let me remind my Conservative colleagues how urgently they and Stephen Harper urged Canada to capitulate. In October 2017, Stephen Harper wrote in a memo, “It does not matter whether current American proposals are worse than what we have now.”
When it comes to our retaliatory tariffs, which achieved a full lift, the Conservatives urged us, Doug Ford lectured us, on how we needed to drop them. Canadians should be—
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, it is pretty rich to hear the Conservatives talk about steel and aluminum tariffs.
The Conservatives were on the record and were absolutely wrong in the approach they advocated. Doug Ford's government publicly called for Canada to drop its retaliation. Had we done that, just imagine how devastating the result would have been.
Members on that side of the House agreed with that wrong-headed and, frankly, weak approach.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I remind my Conservative colleagues that they, along with Mr. Harper, urged Canada to capitulate. In an October 25, 2017 memo, Mr. Harper wrote that it did not matter that current American proposals are worse than what we have now.
The Conservatives openly and publicly called on us to eliminate our countermeasures.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives have said several times that we should drop our demands, sign a new agreement and capitulate. That is what happened and those are the facts.
Canadians can be happy that we did not follow the Conservatives' example. I think this is a bit embarrassing for the Conservatives.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I am very glad the member for Durham asked that question because it allows me to clarify a misunderstanding on his part of that part of the bill.
That is a part of the bill that updates the name of NAFTA in the Food and Drugs Act. It does not give any special powers to cabinet and it does not allow for the agreement to be changed.
The member for Durham is entirely mistaken. He clearly has not read the agreement.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I have already pointed out how the member made a simple mistake in his previous question. Let me give some objective, impartial evidence on how good the new deal is.
The International Trade Commission, which is a U.S. body not likely to put its thumb on the scale in Canada's favour, reported that as a result of the new deal, U.S. exports to Canada would increase by $19.1 billion and Canadian exports would increase to the U.S. by $19.1 billion. That is a win-win.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the only people who wanted us to give in to Donald Trump's demands were the Conservatives. The advice from Stephen Harper for Canada to capitulate is well known and well documented. So are the urgent calls from the Conservatives, both in the House and in the province of Ontario, for Canada to drop its retaliation.
That retaliation on steel and aluminum tariffs was Canada's strongest trade action since the Second World War. That was central to our success in getting these tariffs lifted.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we are very seized with the softwood lumber issue. I have raised it repeatedly with Ambassador Lighthizer, and the Prime Minister raised it with the Vice President yesterday.
Having said that, one of the reasons we were so adamant about not accepting a terrible quota deal for steel and aluminum was because we did not want to follow the wretched Conservative example of accepting quotas for our softwood lumber industry. We learned from the mistakes of the Conservatives. I wish they could learn from their mistakes too.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, on the issue of softwood lumber, I would emphasize the importance of industry leaders. The member talked about softwood lumber. I want to emphasize how important leadership on the part of softwood lumber industry leaders is. There was a lot of consultation with steel industry leaders, and the softwood lumber industry leaders recommended not making the same mistakes the Conservatives made. We listened to them.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Edmonton Strathcona for her hard work on this issue and the question asked earlier this week by the NDP on this important issue.
We are deeply concerned about the human rights situation in China, including restrictions on the freedom of Tibetans. In fact, my parliamentary secretary raised these concerns with Chinese legislators while in China last week. We call on the Government of China to respect the human rights of Tibetans and to engage in a substantive and meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, what the NDP needs to understand is that reopening this agreement would be like opening Pandora's box. Why is the NDP prepared to risk our economic stability?
It would be naive for the NDP to believe that Canadians would benefit from reopening this agreement. The NDP is playing a very dangerous game.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, what the NDP needs to understand is that re-opening this deal would be like opening Pandora's box.
We have an agreement that safeguards more than $2 billion a day in cross-border trade. The NDP are naive at best and playing political games at worst to suggest that Canada would benefit from re-opening the deal.
If the NDP wants to take a page out of Donald Trump's playbook and withdraw from NAFTA, it should have the courage to say so.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved that a ways and means motion to introduce an act to implement the agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we held out for a good deal, and that is what we got.
This deal will protect $2 billion per day in trade. The International Trade Commission has announced that once the new deal is in place, Canadian exports to the United States will increase by $19.1 billion a year.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me urge the leader of the New Democrats, who allegedly speaks for working people, to talk to some actual Canadian workers, because that is what I do every day. Canadian workers are delighted that we have secured continued privileged access to the U.S. market, and they are delighted that we have succeeded in a full lift of the 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I know the member for Essex worked for Unifor before entering the House. I would therefore hope that she is familiar with the comments from Unifor leader Jerry Dias. Here is what he had to say: “There are some incredible victories in this deal, things we've been arguing and fighting for for the last 24 years”, and “Traditionally, trade deals have been about profit, not people. I can honestly say these negotiations included discussions about people — about workers.”
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me thank the hon. member for giving me a chance to say something that I think comes as a great relief for all Canadians.
A week ago today, illegal and unjust tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum were lifted. Today, Canada is one of the only countries in the world with unfettered access to the U.S. market, and that is right.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the NDP says one thing in the House, but behind closed doors it admits that this agreement protects Canadian jobs. The leader of the NDP celebrated the agreement at an event held in Ottawa. The member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, who is also the NDP's Quebec lieutenant, described the new agreement as the best deal possible.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me continue to quote the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie. He said he wanted to congratulate all the Canadian negotiators on the fantastic job they did, and that the agreement would protect workers across the country. We agree with him on that.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government strongly believes, as I think is the view of all Canadians, that human rights need to be a part of our foreign policy, even when it is hard to speak out. When it comes to China, the issue that I have been particularly concerned about is the treatment of the Uighurs. That is something that we have spoken about publicly. That is something I have raised directly in meetings with my counterpart, the Chinese foreign minister.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1) I wish to table a notice of a ways and means motion respecting an act to implement the agreement between Canada, the United States of America and the United Mexican States.
Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2) I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of this motion.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me start by addressing the question of the Northwest Passage to which the hon. member has alluded.
It is important to state very clearly in the House and for all Canadians who are listening Canada's absolute claim to the Northwest Passage. This is a claim based on geography. It is a claim based on history. It is a claim based on who we are as Canadians, and we are very clear on that, as I was in my meeting with Secretary Pompeo in Finland last week.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me address the case of Fan Wei. I want to assure him and his family that Canada is extremely concerned by this sentence. Canada is firmly opposed to the death penalty everywhere in the world. It is cruel and inhumane. Obviously, we are particularly concerned where it is applied against Canadians. We are very seized with this matter.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and I agree about pretty much everything. Let me say that when it comes to the detained Canadians, this is—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I do want to say to the hon. members opposite that these are people's lives. This is not a subject for heckling or railing. I take the detention of these two Canadians extremely seriously. I am in very close touch with their families. These are two very, very brave Canadians who are supported by wonderful families. We need to stand with them.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the illegal and unjustified U.S. tariffs must be lifted. That is the message we constantly send to the United States, and it has been received.
Yesterday, for example, I spoke with Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate finance committee. He wrote in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, and I quote, “If these tariffs aren't lifted, USMCA is dead. There is no appetite in Congress to debate USMCA with these tariffs in place.” Those are the Republican senator's own words.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our priority, which is also my personal priority, is the well-being and safety of Canadians detained in China. We have rallied an unprecedented number of partners around the world to support Canada's position: Australia, the European Union, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Latvia, and others. I will continue by answering the second question.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, as I promised, I will continue to name the countries that have publicly supported Canada: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Spain, Denmark, the United States and 140 academics and diplomats from around the world. NATO's secretary general appealed directly and publicly to China to consider our serious concerns.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to assure every member of this House, and above all the detained Canadians, that their well-being is our government's paramount priority and my paramount concern. We have rallied an unprecedented number of countries around the world to publicly speak out about these detained Canadians and to call for their release, and I will give you the full list, Mr. Speaker, when I answer the next question.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I am able to predict my answers, because the questions are so easily predictable and repetitive.
Canada absolutely is back, which is why we have rallied an unprecedented—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, all members and all Canadians, myself included, were shocked and saddened by the terrorist attacks committed in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. April 21 was a tragic day for the world. Over 200 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured in the coordinated bombings that targeted three churches and three hotels in Colombo.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who died and wish those who were injured a quick recovery.
I would like to extend my particular sympathy to the diaspora community here in Canada and to those who gathered to grieve in churches here. Canada condemns these despicable attacks. Many of the victims were Christians, targeted at prayer, in church, on one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar.
Easter is a time of renewal and optimism for Christians, a time to reflect on hope for the year ahead, and on Jesus's message of compassion, inclusion and redemption. Christ is risen, we declare with joy. This year, especially for those affected by these attacks, but for all of us, Easter was marred by sadness and mourning. Houses of worship are sanctuaries where the faithful should be free to pray in peace. They are no place for terror.
In Colombo, on April 21, and sadly at a San Diego synagogue this weekend, this sanctity was violated. In San Diego, an anti-Semite opened fire on worshippers marking the end of Passover, killing one person and injuring three others, including the rabbi. Whenever people are targeted because of their faith, anywhere in the world, it is an attack on all of us, an attack on humanity itself.
In the wake of attacks like these, all peace-loving people must come together in sorrow, but we also must resolve, together, not to be bent or cowed by the horror of violence. Instead, we must, together, fight hatred and extremism in all its forms.
When combatting extremism, we must all be mindful of the importance of protecting human rights, particularly the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. We must ensure that all of our people are safe, and we must ensure that all of our rights are protected. We must be confident that we can do both. Indeed, they are mutually reinforcing.
To the people of Sri Lanka, to all Christians, and to all those around the world touched by the Easter Sunday attacks, Canada stands with them.
We will continue to work with them and with our allies and partners around the world to prevent terrorism and violent extremism from spreading further and creating more victims.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the illegal and unjust American tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum must be lifted. We consistently send this message to the United States, including at a meeting I had with Secretary of State Pompeo last Wednesday.
American legislators, both Republicans and Democrats, and a dozen U.S. industries have asked Ambassador Lighthizer to lift the tariffs.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government knows how proud Canadians are of their public health care system. It is part of our identity as Canadians. We also know that access to drugs is an important issue for many Canadians. That is why budget 2019 contains bold, concrete measures to lay the groundwork for a national pharmacare system. Our government will always stand up for our public health care system.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 5b, in the amount of $5,090,528, under Department of Employment and Social Development — Grants and contributions, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 10b, in the amount of $163,501,480, under Department of Employment and Social Development — Writing off of debts, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $3,283,364, under Department of Finance — Program expenditures and contributions, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $8,211,518, under Department of Fisheries and Oceans — Operating expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 10b, in the amount of $5,000,000, under Department of Fisheries and Oceans — Grants and contributions, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $367,410, under Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development — Operating expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 10b, in the amount of $162,570,467, under Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development — Grants and contributions, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $50,000, under Office of the Senate Ethics Officer — Program expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $476,000, under Parks Canada Agency — Program expenditures, grants and contributions, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 5b, in the amount of $836,112, under Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council — Grants, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $10,174,531, under Royal Canadian Mounted Police — Operating expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 5b, in the amount of $1,738,000, under Royal Canadian Mounted Police — Capital expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 10b, in the amount of $9,900,000, under Royal Canadian Mounted Police — Grants and contributions, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $18,647,341, under Shared Services Canada — Operating expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 5b, in the amount of $4,464,382, under Shared Services Canada — Capital expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $854,678, under Statistics Canada — Program expenditures, in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
moved:
That Vote 1b, in the amount of $14,600,000, under The Jacques-Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc. — Payments to the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc., in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, be concurred in.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the rules-based international order and the multilateral institutions that underpin it are absolutely essential for the pursuit of the Canadian national interest in the world. That is why we are co-operating fully with the OECD in its work on this issue. I have instructed my department and my staff to do so.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, as someone who has stood up for the people of Ukraine, as someone who has stood up for the Crimean Tartars, as someone who has stood up for the people of Venezuela, let me say it is—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me say, it is a profound insult to the people living under the Maduro dictatorship, to the people living under Putin's dictatorship, to compare anything happening in—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to speak for Canada, to speak for our amazing country on the international stage.
Because I was not fully heard when the member for Durham posed his astonishing question, let me just say that it is both insulting and absurd to the people of Canada, as well as to the people suffering from the dictatorships of Maduro and Putin, to make any comparison between the two.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, since the member has spoken about women and foreign affairs, let me talk about what our government is doing to advance the rights of women in the world. Let me talk about what we are doing to stand up for women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia. Let me talk about what we are doing to stand up for reproductive health and access to reproductive health services for all the women in Canada and the world.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I do indeed love to talk about the international rules-based order, because that is absolutely essential to the defence of the Canadian national interest in the world.
When it comes to the OECD, Canada is proud of our participation in this important organization. We have been clear from the start with the OECD that we support its work and will co-operate with it fully.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the illegal and unjust American tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum must be lifted. We are consistently sending this message to the United States, and it is being received.
American legislators have asked Ambassador Lighthizer to lift these tariffs. Republican Kevin Brady recently said that the tariffs should be lifted. On Monday, I raised this issue directly with the vice-president of the United States, Mike Pence.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the member for Brampton North for her commitment to this very important issue.
Canada called for a marked acceleration of Sri Lanka's accountability efforts directly at the UN Human Rights Council last March, and at the Commonwealth meeting last April.
Canada will join the United Kingdom, Germany, Macedonia and Montenegro as part of the core group in supporting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, working toward the upcoming Human Rights Council session.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government, and I believe all Canadians, are absolutely of the view that religious freedom is an essential part of human rights, and these are freedoms we should enjoy not only in Canada but around the world. We are very engaged with our partners around the world in protecting the religious freedom of all people, whether they be Christian or Muslim.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are unfair and illegal. Canada is working on these tariffs at the NAFTA and WTO round tables.
I spoke to Ambassador Robert Lighthizer about this issue yesterday and today. We continue to work on it.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, as the member for Essex knows very well, we are not just talking when it comes to the illegal and unjust U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. We acted decisively on July 1 by imposing retaliatory tariffs, the highest, strongest retaliatory trade action in Canadian history. This action is having results. In fact, just this week, Kevin Brady said in the U.S. that he did not see how the U.S. could ratify NAFTA while these tariffs were still in place.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government has done a great deal of work on this file.
Our top priority is the well-being and safety of the Canadians detained by China. We now have the support of many of our allies, such as Australia, the European Union, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Spain. All these countries have openly supported the Canadian position.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to China, our top priority is the safety and well-being of the Canadians detained in China. This is a priority for the Prime Minister, for me and for the entire government. These arbitrary detentions are unacceptable to Canadians and to the international community.
The Prime Minister and I have both spoken to a number of international partners. We will stand by the statements of support we have received from many countries.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, there are so many false claims in that question that it is hard to even know where to start. However, let me try.
When it comes to our partners in the Asia-Pacific, Canada is proud to have signed the CPTPP, which is entering into force. In fact, we are the only G7 country with trade agreements with every other G7 country. That is a diplomatic and trade triumph.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to Meng Wanzhou, let me be very clear about the Government of Canada's position. First of all, Canada is a rule-of-law country and we are conducting a fair, unbiased and transparent legal proceeding. In fact, Madam Meng is currently on bail, as the court has ruled. There has been, as is correct, no political involvement in the process. Canada respects our international legal commitments, including our extradition treaty with the United States.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the only people playing political games when two Canadians are in a difficult situation are the members opposite, and that is truly reprehensible.
When it comes to the case of Ms. Meng, Canada is a rule-of-law country. We are proud to be a rule-of-law country. We have honoured our extradition treaty commitments, as we honour all of our international treaty commitments, and Ms. Meng has access to our impartial and fair judicial system.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the member to talk to his former colleagues in the NDP. Canadians need an apology from the member for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski and the NDP candidate in York—Simcoe for their defence of a dictatorship that has killed hundreds and injured thousands of peaceful protesters. If the NDP members cannot take a firm and clear stance on the fight of the people of Venezuela for democracy, I do not know what they can take a clear position on.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I was rather surprised yesterday to hear the member for Durham criticize Canada's retaliatory measures in response to the illegal and unjustified U.S. 232 tariffs. He called our response “dumb”. Our response was perfectly reciprocal, a dollar-for-dollar response. It was essential to defend our industry and our workers.
The Conservatives supported this at the time. Now they are losing their nerve. However, I guess that is no surprise from the party that urged us to capitulate on NAFTA.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like the Conservatives and the leader of the Conservative Party to be very clear. Is it the Conservative position now that Canada should unilaterally drop our retaliatory tariffs, because I want to tell—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would like the Conservatives to come clean on what their policy is on Canada's just and correct retaliation, because here is what the Canadian Steel Producers Association said today, “Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are vital in protecting the jobs of 23,000 steelworkers.” We stand with them, do you?
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government is absolutely clear on the steel and aluminum tariffs imposed illegally and unjustly by the United States. Our view is that we have to fight these tariffs. We fight them with a strong retaliatory response, we fight them at the WTO and we fight them at NAFTA where we have preserved the chapter 19 tribunals.
What is unclear is the position of the Conservative Party, which seems, today, to be arguing that we should capitulate, just as it did on NAFTA.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, let me very clear. Canada strongly condemns Russian aggression toward Ukraine in the Kerch Strait and we call on Russia to immediately release the captured Ukrainian crew and vessels.
I spoke on the phone late last night with Ukraine's foreign minister, Pavlo Klimkin, and assured him of Canada's strong support. I have been directly in touch with Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary of the U.K., and Federica Mogherini, the high representative of the European Union. We are working closely with our allies. We strongly support Operation Unifier and we are in close touch with Ukrainians.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, as far as Saudi Arabia and the war in Yemen is concerned, I want to make something clear.
We condemn the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and we have called for a ceasefire in Yemen.
We are actively looking at other measures, including how we might use the Magnitsky act. Obviously, while we review the situation, no new export permits will be granted.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we condemn the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The explanations provided by Saudi Arabia are inconsistent and lack credibility. We continue to call for a thorough investigation in full cooperation with the Turkish authorities. Those responsible for this murder must be held to account and brought to justice.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the question.
As we told our G7 partners on Tuesday, we are very concerned about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. As we told our partners in the G7, of which Canada currently holds the presidency, all those responsible for this situation must be held to account. It is very important. We support the calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into these serious allegations.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, of course I do not think that is what Canadians want and that is why I said no such thing. Canada's position on human rights in general, very much including Saudi Arabia, is clear and firm. We took a clear and firm position in August, and I think that is something that Canadians can be proud of.
When it comes to the case of Jamal Khashoggi, we led a G7 foreign ministers' statement, which came out on Tuesday, saying that those responsible must be held to account.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the conclusion of the modernized NAFTA was a major accomplishment for Canada, a major accomplishment for Canadian businesses and for Canadian workers. One of the great achievements in this agreement was to keep de minimis levels low. That is something Canadian small businesses asked us to do. That is something we achieved, and we are glad we were able to do so.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I would be delighted to, but I want to start by thanking the member for Cumberland—Colchester for his wisdom and the outstanding advice he gave me personally during the negotiations, especially on chapter 19.
He asks an excellent question. ISDS is now removed from the new trade agreement between Canada and the United States. That will save Canada from frivolous lawsuits like the one the member mentioned.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, Canada has spoken out very clearly about human rights and everyone knows it. That definitely includes Saudi Arabia, as everyone saw this summer.
With regard to Jamal Khashoggi, we are working closely with our G7 allies. We all spoke on Tuesday and we are all saying that a thorough and transparent investigation is needed to bring those responsible to justice.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.
I want to point out once again that the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi is very troubling. Canada has made that very clear. That is the message that I sent to the Saudi Arabian foreign minister. I also initiated a discussion on the subject with my counterparts in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
We join our partners in calling for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we refused to capitulate and we got a good deal for Canadians. The agreement will protect billions of dollars in daily trade and support millions of jobs in Canada. The agreement enjoys broad support, whether it is by union leader Jerry Dias, provincial premiers or former ministers from all political parties.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, when we were in the heat of the negotiations, all we heard from the Conservatives was that we were being too tough, that I was being too tough, and that we should capitulate. Now that we have a—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, now that we have a deal, they have discovered their Monday morning courage.
We were tough when it mattered. We stood firm, and we got a good deal for Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, what we are hearing from the Conservatives is déjà vu all over again. They wanted us to capitulate on NAFTA. We did not. Now they want us to capitulate on steel and aluminum. We will not.
The U.S. has imposed illegal and unjustified tariffs. Canada responded with perfectly reciprocal dollar-for-dollar retaliation. The solution is for both sides to lift their tariffs, and that is what we are insisting on.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government's willingness to stand up for human rights around the world, including in Saudi Arabia, is very well known.
When it comes to the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, we are very concerned. I spoke earlier today about it with the Saudi Arabian foreign minister. I expressed Canada's deep concerns and asked for a thorough, transparent and credible investigation. I emphasized that those responsible must be held to account. We have been in very close touch with our G7 and NATO allies on this issue.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, there is more Monday morning courage on the other side of the House, and I would like to remind the member opposite of his own comments and the comments John Baird made following Canada's strong position standing up for human rights activists.
When it comes to Jamal Khashoggi, Canada is extremely—
Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the members opposite wish they had been more supportive of the government's position in August. When it comes to Jamal Khashoggi, we are very concerned. As I said earlier, I spoke this morning with the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, and we are working with our G7 and NATO allies.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from the members opposite when it comes to standing up for women's rights and human rights around the world. I would like to remind them what John Baird said in August our government should be doing. We did not. We stood firm. We will continue to stand firm. When it comes to women's rights, women in Canada and around the world are proud of our feminist foreign policies supporting women here and around the world.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague that Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance is very troubling. That is the message I conveyed to the Saudi Arabian foreign minister today. I have also begun a discussion on this issue with my counterparts in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. We join our partners in calling for a full investigation.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the most important gain from this agreement is retaining our access to the U.S. market, and Canadians understand that.
However, the new trade agreement is significantly better than NAFTA 1.0 in important ways. We have gotten rid of investor-state dispute settlement, which allowed U.S. companies to sue the Government of Canada for hundreds of millions of dollars. The energy ratchet clause that restricted our sovereignty is gone.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I did not hear too many gracious words about our chief negotiator.
Canadians should listen to a Conservative who actually knows what he is talking about when it comes to trade. Former prime minister Brian Mulroney said yesterday, “This agreement is a highly significant achievement for Canada” and “Canada appears to have achieved most if not all of its important objectives in this lengthy and challenging set of negotiations.” I could not have said it better.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives seemed to have regained their confidence, which is surprising, since last year, Stephen Harper and the Conservatives were begging us to give in and accept any agreement, no matter the cost to Canadians.
Thanks to our patience and negotiating skills we managed to reach a good agreement for Canada.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, there are many new developments. We have gotten rid of the NAFTA clause that undermined our sovereignty by preventing our government from controlling access to our precious energy resources. We have also gotten rid of the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, which cost over $300 million. The new rules in the auto sector are going to protect Canadian workers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, we fully support our dairy producers, their families and their communities. It was a Liberal government that created the supply management system and it is a Liberal government that is preserving it. This agreement will provide market access, but most importantly it does not put the future of supply management in question. We will always support our agricultural producers and our dairy producers.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, our government worked very hard to defend Canadians' interests. Our government defended our supply management system, which the U.S. sought to dismantle. We are the party that implemented supply management, and we are going to defend it. I want to assure dairy farmers that they will receive compensation.
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking the member for Essex for her collaboration in our work on trade. She is a really great partner.
Trade diversification is an extremely important part of growing the Canadian economy and we are going to continue to increase our trade around the world. In fact, it is our government that concluded CETA and the CPTPP. NAFTA, as an agreement, has always had a way for parties to leave, and that is essential, but let me be clear: Canada retains full sovereignty and complete control over our trade relations.
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