SoVote

Mr. George Chahal (Calgary Skyview, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 6:12:51 p.m.
Watch

Madam Speaker, congratulations on being in the chair. It is an honour and privilege for me to be standing in the House for the first time, and I want to thank Calgary Skyview residents for supporting me and giving me the opportunity to represent them here. I want to thank my wife, Aman, and my kids, Amita, Noor and Liv. They put a tremendous amount of effort and have sacrificed a lot of time and energy to support me in this endeavour. I also thank everybody who volunteered and worked extremely hard and all the candidates who put their names forward to run in the last election across Canada. The hon. member for Steveston—Richmond East talked a lot about housing, and I want to thank him for bringing up housing and the importance of affordable housing to Canadians. In my constituency and in the work of city council, affordable housing is really important, and the government supported Skyview residents with seniors housing and opportunities for the rapid housing initiative. Its seniors project is one prime example. I am wondering if the member could provide any examples of housing that the government supported in his constituency. I offer my congratulations to the member as well.

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

Mr. George Chahal (Calgary Skyview, Lib.)

Dec/1/21 10:07:17 p.m.
Watch

Madam Chair, I will be sharing my time with the member for Ottawa West—Nepean.

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

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/1/21 10:07:45 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the softwood lumber issue remains a top priority for the government. The softwood lumber industry employs thousands of workers across Canada. It is an important part of the Canadian economy and a key component of our highly integrated forestry sector. The United States remains the largest market for Canadian softwood lumber—

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

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/1/21 10:09:21 p.m.
Watch

Madam Chair, the United States remains the largest market for Canadian softwood lumber. U.S. consumers have greatly benefited from high-quality Canadian softwood lumber products for decades. It is truly unfortunate that the government of the United States continues to impose unwarranted duties that bring harm and increase prices on both sides of the border. Undoubtedly these past few years have been challenging times for the Canadian softwood lumber industry. This is why we continue to support and engage with Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders at every opportunity. When the United States imposed its unwarranted and unjustified duties on Canadian softwood lumber products, we listened and responded with a softwood lumber action plan. When the pandemic arrived, we listened and responded with a COVID-19 economic response plan. This past summer, Canada's Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry met with softwood lumber industry leaders to provide the latest developments on the softwood lumber file and to hear directly from them on how the government could best support them in this dispute. These meetings were very informative, and the ministers took careful note of the industry's views. The government will continue to engage with Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders at every step of the way to ensure that all voices are heard. This includes provincial and territorial governments, softwood lumber companies, industry representatives, labour groups and indigenous communities: as such, a large and important part of Canada's economy with diverse viewpoints across the country. We believe this collaborative team Canada approach will ensure the best possible support and defence of our softwood lumber industry. Through countless direct communications with companies, we have demonstrated to Canadian softwood lumber stakeholders that this government has their best interests in mind. The federal government knows that the Canadian industry does not want just any softwood lumber deal with the United States. Our industry needs a deal that brings predictability and stability, and that most notably protects Canadians jobs. Let me be clear. A deal that harms our industry is not a deal that this government is willing to accept. It is extremely disappointing that the United States continues to impose these unfair tariffs. Canadians rightfully expect a fair trading relationship. Canada has always been willing to explore ideas that allow for a return to predictable cross-border trade in softwood lumber, but Canada will only strike a deal that is in the best interests of Canadian forestry workers and is good for forestry firms. We will not take just any deal, like the Conservatives would. Let me remind the House that while this government continues to stand up and defend the interests of Canadian workers, the Conservative Party of Canada would have us capitulate to the United States. In the interim, we will continue to challenge U.S. duties on softwood lumber under chapter 19 of NAFTA, under chapter 10 of CUSMA and through the WTO dispute settlement system. Canada believes that the U.S. softwood lumber duties are unwarranted, unjustified and inconsistent with U.S. law and the international trade obligations of the United States—

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

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/1/21 10:16:08 p.m.
Watch

Madam Chair, this is an important industry that employs 100,000 forestry workers and provides over $13 billion into the B.C. economy. We are going to l work closely with our communities and workers. Our government remains closely committed to working with all stakeholders to find the best approach moving forward.

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

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/1/21 10:17:33 p.m.
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Madam Chair, these tariffs are unwarranted, and it is extremely important that we have a good and strong trading relationship with the United States and that we resolve these issues. We want a positive outcome to this dispute. I have worked in the construction industry. Many of my constituents run businesses that are impacted by this dispute and many of the tradespeople and workers also are impacted. I have many friends and family members who are employed in this industry and their livelihoods and businesses are impacted. It is really important that we find solutions and work together across the aisle, a team Canada approach, to ensure we get a positive resolution to this matter.

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

Mr. George Chahal

Dec/1/21 10:19:19 p.m.
Watch

Madam Chair, this is an important issue, which is why we sent a team Canada delegation from this House to Washington. We will work together with members across the aisle, all parties, to get ideas and bring forward solutions that improve opportunities for Canadian businesses, but, most importantly, protect Canadian jobs. That is a priority for me and many of my colleagues, and I know everybody in the House stands with me to protect Canadian jobs and workers.

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