SoVote

Dec/1/21 9:56:10 p.m.
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Madam Chair, sometimes the benefit of sitting in the House is being able to learn about industries such as those in northern Saskatchewan. I think we can all agree as parliamentarians that this is a challenging time for the forestry sector. The member opposite mentioned that there is a delegation going to Washington right now. My question is about innovation in the forestry sector, which I suspect is already happening in Saskatchewan. Can the member talk about mass timber? I know it is very prevalent in British Columbia. There are conversations in Atlantic Canada right now about whether the wood species in Saskatchewan could be beneficial for mass timber and whether to include it in Canada's building code. Are those the measures we should be working on to help drive forestry innovation in his province?

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

Mr. Kody Blois (Kings—Hants, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 10:02:08 p.m.
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Madam Chair, as the member opposite mentioned, I know that for the riding of Kenora the forestry industry is extremely important. We have heard in this debate tonight from all members. Regardless on what side of the House they sit, this is a concern, and that is the reality. Right now the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development is on her way to Washington to try to ensure there is a resolution for our Canadian forestry industry. This question is genuine. I have heard the member opposite speak tonight and he certainly seems to be genuine in the questions he has asked. Has the member opposite had engagements with the forestry stakeholders in his riding and can he articulate to the House some of the concerns they might have about the economic impact in Kenora and otherwise? We all share this concern, but I would be more interested in hearing more specifics, if he has them.

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

Mr. Kody Blois (Kings—Hants, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 10:16:39 p.m.
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Madam Chair, it is great to see such strong representation from Calgary Skyview and another member of our Alberta caucus on the governing side of the House. The member has talked about the work the government is doing, the team Canada approach that we are all taking as parliamentarians. Part of the challenge I see as a parliamentarian is that the United States has a deficit or not necessarily enough domestic softwood to meet its housing and lumber needs. I know the member opposite has a business background. Perhaps he can opine on what I think is a problematic approach with the U.S. in the sense that it does not even have enough domestic demand. Would he agree with me that this is just a wrong-headed policy that is going to create economic challenges on both sides of the border?

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

Mr. Kody Blois (Kings—Hants, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 10:47:12 p.m.
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Madam Chair, let me begin by congratulating you on your appointment as Assistant Deputy Speaker. To the member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, I want to mention it is the home to the Prince George Cougars, I believe is the junior hockey team there. As a former athlete, I certainly appreciate their good demeanour on the ice. A couple of different things have been suggested on this side of the House during the debate. One of them is that our government has not been there in challenging and working with the United States. I think back to 2017, when I was not in this House. I was a lawyer in Halifax at the time. It was our government that stood and made sure we were there to protect Canadian interests from a United States president who, frankly, was willing to rip up NAFTA and start it over. Will the member opposite at least recognize two things? The first is that the Minister of International Trade and the member opposite's colleague are on their way to Washington right now as part of a team Canada approach. The second is that this government, particularly in the 42nd Parliament, has been there to protect Canadian interests. Will he recognize these things?

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