SoVote

Ms. Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 10:20:00 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I would like to thank the member for Calgary Skyview for sharing his time with me and also, as a fellow Calgarian, on his election as a Liberal for Calgary Skyview. Canada's forestry sector—

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Context: House Hansard - 8 - Dec/1/21

Ms. Anita Vandenbeld

Dec/1/21 10:21:26 p.m.
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Madam Chair, Canada's forestry sector is a crucial part of the economy from coast to coast. The forestry industry contributes to the economic vitality of thousands of communities. This week, the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development is in Washington to meet with U.S. congressional leaders and other stakeholders. The minister will advocate for Canadian interests and raise issues of concern around softwood lumber. On November 18, the Prime Minister discussed this matter with the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden. On November 12, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also raised the softwood lumber issue during her meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. Other Canadian government officials are also reiterating the same message at every opportunity when meeting with their American counterparts. Canada is very disappointed that the United States decided to raise duties on most Canadian softwood lumber producers. These unfair duties harm Canadian communities, businesses and workers. Canada is calling on the United States to cease imposing these harmful duties on Canadian softwood lumber products. At this point in time, the United States has shown no interest in a serious conversation to find a mutually acceptable solution to this dispute. The Government of Canada will continue to vigorously defend our softwood lumber industry and the workers and communities it supports, including through litigation under NAFTA's chapter 19 as well as CUSMA's chapter 10, and at the WTO. In the past, those mechanisms have consistently ruled that Canada is a fair trading partner, and we expect similar results in the current challenges. From the moment these unfair duties were imposed in 2017, Canada has responded forcefully. We have launched challenges under chapter 19 of NAFTA and asked WTO panels to review these decisions. We have already obtained positive rulings from the WTO panels, which have confirmed that the U.S. duties are not consistent with the United States' WTO obligations. These wins will be useful for Canada in our arguments before the NAFTA chapter 19 panels, which are also assessing the validity of the decisions made by the U.S. in 2017. Canada is also challenging the final results of the United States' first administrative reviews, issued in 2020. Those decisions will be reviewed by panels established under CUSMA's chapter 10. With respect to the most recent decision by the United States to almost double the duties on the majority of the industry, we are currently in talks with the Canadian stakeholders to look at available options, such as additional challenges under CUSMA's chapter 10, and to determine the best way forward together. At the same time, we will continue to press our U.S. counterparts to rescind this unfair and unwarranted trade action. We remain confident that a negotiated settlement is not only possible but in the best interests of both countries. Workers in the forestry sector can rest assured that we will always be there to defend their interests, their families and their communities.

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Context: House Hansard - 8 - Dec/1/21

Ms. Anita Vandenbeld

Dec/1/21 10:26:55 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I absolutely agree with my hon. colleague. This is something that all parties agree on. It is a team Canada approach. Speaking of team Canada, the minister is in Washington right now with a group of members of Parliament from all parties to make sure that we are vigorously defending the interests of our communities, our industry and our businesses. This is something we have to do all together. My hon. colleague mentioned CUSMA. We were the ones who absolutely fought successfully to keep the dispute resolution mechanism in chapter 10, which we are now able to use to defend our interests.

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Context: House Hansard - 8 - Dec/1/21

Ms. Anita Vandenbeld

Dec/1/21 10:28:28 p.m.
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Madam Chair, our government recognizes the importance of the forestry and softwood lumber industry for Quebec. We will continue to defend the resiliency and innovation of Quebec's forestry industry, which exports more than $10 billion in forestry products per year and employs more than 60,000 workers in the province.

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Context: House Hansard - 8 - Dec/1/21

Ms. Anita Vandenbeld

Dec/1/21 10:29:49 p.m.
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Madam Chair, this is exactly why we fought very hard, and successfully, to keep the dispute resolution mechanism within CUSMA, and that is something we will continue to do. In fact, the WTO, under NAFTA and CUSMA, has consistently ruled in Canada's favour that Canada is a fair trading partner. There is no reason to believe that it would be different this time.

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Context: House Hansard - 8 - Dec/1/21

Ms. Anita Vandenbeld

Dec/1/21 10:30:53 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we continue to vigorously defend all industries in Quebec and Canada.

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