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Results: 256 - 270 of 270
View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I believe in the importance of having agricultural representatives, and diplomats who are well versed in agricultural issues, around the world advancing our interests.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I think that is an important question. When we talk about the economic impact of TPP, which we've already been discussing a little, it's important that our modelling look at two possible scenarios. The first is the economic impacts of Canada being inside the TPP, and we need to look carefully at the winners and losers inside Canada and the aggregated impact.
The second, and I strongly agree with you, is that we need to model, and it's something that I've asked the department to do that we're looking at carefully. We have to have a second clear picture—and that needs to be something as the study is completed that we share with Canadians—of what it would look like for Canada to have a world in which 11 TPP countries move forward and we do not.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Thank you very much for the question. Thanks for the point you make about consultation.
I know the nature of our Parliamentary system is that we have robust debates, and that's important, and I welcome it. On the point of the consultations, though, I want to say something very sincere here about the consultations. I think we all do have, really across the spectrum, an understanding of the importance of trade to Canada. I think we also understand, and my Conservative colleagues have referred to this, that there are protectionist tides rising in a lot of other countries. I truly believe that for Canada to retain real public support for our being an open economy—and that is in question in so many other parts of the world—it's essential for us to bend over backwards to talk to Canadians. We cannot consult too much. We really need people to know that there is an open dialogue, that they are heard. The work of the committee in open mikes, in particular, is so important.
Are you cutting me off now?
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Okay, I'll do that quickly.
I also totally agree on the small and medium-sized businesses. It's part of maintaining public support for trade. It's also really important because they are a huge part of the Canadian economy. They have a harder time plugging into trade than big companies. We have a program called CanExport. I think you all know about it, and this is something that we've worked on in carrying forward the trade agenda of the previous government. I am really proud of it. We launched it in January. Since its launch on January 5, we've approved $6 million. We have $10 million a year going into the program. We have approved $6 million already. How the program works is that it is 50-50 cost sharing, and you can ask as a small business—and please share this in your riding, I've shared it in my newsletters—
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I have to stop, okay. It's a great program, though, and I do think we need to do more on that, and we're going to be unrolling an export and investment strategy that has a real focus and some more specific tools to help small businesses.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
To speak quickly to your preamble point on trade, another point I would make is that there is lots of research—both our own, but also academic research—showing that trade is a driver of productivity.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Right. Industries that are engaged in trade tend to be more productive. It makes a business more productive.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
In terms of the consultations, my own direct experience has been quite.... I've been hearing a broad variety of views, just as you all have.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Yes, I will. I think there is somewhat of a regional breakdown.
When I did consultations in Edmonton, particularly—we've talked about the agricultural sector—I heard strong support from agricultural producers.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Okay. Among areas of concern, I would say a big area, which you have heard here....
I think you had Jim Balsillie and Michael Geist speak to the committee. I've spoken to both of them. We had an early consultation.
I would say there is a kind of academic community “intellectual property” area of concerns. Those have been well articulated. I think there is an area of concern as well, and I think Michael Geist speaks to this, around the investment chapter and concerns with it.
You referred in your own remarks to the auto sector. I've heard concerns. I wanted to speak to people who work in the car industry, so I had a meeting in Oakville with Unifor workers, and I've heard both concerns voiced there, at that union worker level.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
That's okay. You asked me to list five, so I was trying to go through them for you.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I think it would be a good idea, but I think my time is up.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
I have to leave now. I'm sorry. The Canada-U.S. cabinet committee is really important, and I'm really pleased the ambassador is here to speak to us.
Thanks for your questions. As a final comment, and I mean this really sincerely, not politically, I think it's very important that this is a cross-party committee; the NDP and the Conservative voices here are really important. It's really important that we have a national discussion about trade.
On some of the specific negotiating questions, I know my officials have been available. I'm happy for officials to be available.
I'd also like to make a suggestion. If it's okay with you all, I would love to have a real conversation about CETA at some point. We're getting closer, and I think it's going to be a very important, groundbreaking agreement for Canada.
I haven't spoken at length with Tracey about it, but my fantasy scenario is that we have unanimous support in Parliament for this groundbreaking deal.
I've now told her what I'm looking for.
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View Chrystia Freeland Profile
Lib. (ON)
Okay, thank you.
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Results: 256 - 270 of 270 | Page: 18 of 18

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