Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

International Trade

The debate focused on the impact of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The government stated that CETA has led to substantial growth in trade with the European Union, which they noted has benefited Canadian workers and businesses across sectors such as technology and energy. They also indicated that ongoing digital trade negotiations could unlock an additional five billion dollars in export opportunities. Members of the opposition argued that the government’s discussions regarding increased European immigration—potentially removing current labor mobility limits—must be detailed, questioning how increased numbers would affect housing, jobs, hospitals, and social services.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

Brad Redekopp

Conservative

Linked statement

“Immigration in Canada is out of control. Our trade deal with Europe strictly limits who can come here to work. Leaked documents show the Prime Minister wants to remove those limits to get closer to Europe. Will the Prime Minister promise not to change these rules?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, nobody believes that immigration is in control in Canada. Canada already has an existing free trade deal with Europe called CETA. Under CETA, labour mobility is strictly limited to very specific categories of EU citizens for short, defined periods. CETA explicitly does not grant access to the general labour market or allow permanent residence for people in the EU. Now, a leaked document suggests that the Prime Minister is planning to remove CETA’s narrow safeguards in this bid for a greater integration with the EU. Given the EU’s current open border crisis, this is a very bad idea. Will the Prime Minister commit to everyone in this place that he will not lift CETA’s migration standards?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Maninder Sidhu

Liberal
“Our trade deal with the European Union is a good thing. Over the last 10 years, trade with them has grown by more than 75%.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 49 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, CETA is something that we should all celebrate. After 10 long years, trade with the European Union is up by over 75%— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

Maninder Sidhu

Liberal
“Our trade deal with Europe is 10 years old, and trade between us is way up. We are working on a new digital deal with them now. It will open up another $5 billion in business and keep our economy growing.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 35 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we just celebrated 10 years of CETA. In fact, two-way trade is up by over 75%. Service is up by over 90%. We have much more room to grow through our digital trade agreement, which we are negotiating right now and will unlock another $5 billion of export opportunities. This is what it means to continue to grow our economy and build Canada strong.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C+ View analysis

Michelle Rempel Garner

Conservative
“The Prime Minister says he will bring more immigrants here from Europe, but the government will not share any details. How many more people will come to Canada under this deal, and how will it affect our housing, jobs, hospitals, and social services?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Europe’s open border policies went so badly that they had to adopt a migration pact, which requires countries to take asylum claimants or pay a massive fine, and now the Prime Minister is telling foreign parliaments and foreign newspapers that he is going to have greater immigration levels from the EU. The immigration minister will not give Canadians any details, but Canadians deserve transparency. How many more non-citizens will this deal bring to Canada, and what will that mean for Canadian hospitals, housing, jobs and social services?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Maninder Sidhu

Liberal
“Trading more with the European Union is good for Canadian workers and businesses. It offers billions of dollars in new opportunities in areas like energy, technology, and finance, and we plan to pursue them.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 0 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the European Union presents a lot of opportunities to Canadian workers and businesses. In fact, we have talked to chambers of commerce and boards of trade across the country that are looking at more opportunities in energy, technology, digital trade and financial services. The European Union presents billions of dollars of opportunities for our export markets, and that is what we will be pursuing.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade F View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 155

All 43 items ·
  1. Private Members' Business An Act to Repeal Certain Restrictions on Shipping 7 statements
  2. Government Orders Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 52 statements
  3. Statements by Members Tribute to Men of Terrebonne 2 statements
  4. Oral Questions The Economy 10 statements
  5. Oral Questions The Environment 4 statements
  6. Oral Questions Labour 2 statements
  7. Oral Questions Finance 8 statements
  8. Oral Questions The Economy 7 statements
  9. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs 4 statements
  10. Oral Questions The Economy 10 statements
  11. Oral Questions Child Care 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Natural Resources 6 statements
  14. Oral Questions Agriculture and Agri-Food 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Justice 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 2 statements
  18. Government Orders Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 67 statements
  19. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  20. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 8 statements
  21. Oral Questions International Trade 5 statements
  22. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 4 statements
  23. Government Orders Strengthening Canada's Defence Sector Act 34 statements
  24. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  25. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  26. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements