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International Trade

During question period on international trade, members focused on the Canada-EU summit in Montreal and Canada’s trade relationship with Europe. The Conservative leader asked repeatedly whether the government would get nine European countries that have not approved the existing free trade agreement to ratify it, open European markets to Canadian beef and pork, and respond to the EU’s threatened carbon tariff on Canadian goods, arguing the government was focusing on summits while Canadians faced high food and housing costs. The government pointed to the summit in Montreal, said co-operation with the EU covers trade, energy, defence, artificial intelligence and transportation, noted first LNG shipments to Germany, and said Canada is on track to double its non-U.S. exports. Bloc Québécois members asked about European carbon-based tariffs they said would cost Quebec’s aluminum, steel and iron exports hundreds of millions of dollars because Canada scrapped its carbon pricing, and raised concerns about weakened pesticide rules affecting food exports; the government said Quebec’s aluminum is among the greenest in the world and pointed to its investments and broader market access for Quebec businesses.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

18 statements

Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“Canadians cannot afford food or housing, but the Prime Minister is trying to distract them with a plan to join the European Union as an associate member. The Europeans already rejected this. Nine European countries have not even approved our current trade deal. Will the Prime Minister get them to approve it, or is this summit just for show?”

  • A repeated line

    “We already have a free trade agreement with Europe.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since May 4.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, while Canadians can no longer afford food or housing, the Prime Minister tried to divert their attention with his grand plan to become an associate member of the European Union. No one knows what that means, and the Europeans rejected it yesterday. We already have a free trade agreement with Europe, but nine countries have not ratified it. Does the Prime Minister promise to get them to ratify the agreement, or is this summit just for show?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“The Prime Minister and other ministers are in Montreal for our yearly meeting with European Union leaders. We are working together on more than just our trade deal. Canada needs to sell to more places in the world, and that is what we are doing.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are delighted to have the Prime Minister, as well as many of my colleagues, in Montreal today for our annual meeting with European Union leaders. We will explore a wide range of opportunities for collaboration beyond the free trade agreement we have already negotiated. Canada needs to diversify its markets, and that is exactly what we are doing.

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Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“The Prime Minister is using talks with Europe to distract from high food and housing costs. Europe rejected his plan for an associate membership. We already have a trade deal with Europe, but nine countries have not approved it. I want to know if the Prime Minister will get those countries to approve the deal and buy our beef.”

  • A repeated line

    “We already have a free trade agreement with Europe.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since May 4.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has tried to distract Canadians from crazy housing and food costs for the last two months with his big project of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU. Nobody knows what it means and the Europeans have now rejected it. We already have a free trade agreement with Europe. It is just that nine of its countries refuse to ratify that agreement. Will the Prime Minister actually get anything real done at this big grand summit, get those countries to ratify the deal, let in our beef or is this just another Seinfeld summit, a meeting about nothing?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Our government is meeting with European leaders to work together beyond our current trade deals. We are expanding our markets so we rely less on the United States. This is good for Canada.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, if anyone would know anything about Seinfeld, it is that leader who wakes up every day and lives the same recurring nightmare, every single day. The Prime Minister and my colleagues are in Montreal for the annual Canada-EU Summit. This year we are exploring many areas of further co-operation beyond the free trade arrangements we have with Europe. We are going to diversify our markets, we going to diversify them away from the United States, and that is good news for Canada.

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Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“Canadians cannot afford groceries, and government spending is driving up mortgage costs. The Prime Minister acts busy while getting nothing done. Nine countries still have not approved our trade deal with the European Union. They still block our beef, and they threaten a carbon tax on our goods. I want to know if the Prime Minister will fix these trade problems.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is actually a recurring nightmare for the Canadian people who cannot afford to pay their grocery bills and whose mortgage payments just went up yesterday because of deficit spending by the government. The Prime Minister acts like George Costanza, running around the office trying to look busy while achieving nothing at all in the real world. Let us look at this. Nine countries have not ratified the EU free trade agreement. Will he get them to ratify? They are still blocking our beef. Will he remove those blockages? They are threatening an industrial carbon tariff. Will he have that removed, or will it just be about nothing?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Free trade with Europe is good for Canada. It helps us work together on defence, buying equipment, artificial intelligence, and protecting democracy. It also gives young Canadians more chances to study and do research.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, this guy talks like Kramer. He just walks into the room and, every time, says something weird. More seriously, free trade with Europe is a great thing for Canada. More collaboration with Europe on defence and procurement, and making sure that Canadians and Canadian youth can study and research, and we can co-operate on things like AI. Yes, his least favourite topic will be co-operating on democracy. I want to thank the Leader of the Opposition. It is going to be great.

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Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“The Prime Minister promised that taxing our steel, aluminum, cement, and concrete would keep European tariffs off our goods. Instead, Europe is threatening a new carbon tariff on us, and he has also failed to get American tariffs lifted. Will the Prime Minister stand up to Europe and stop this tariff?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, everybody loves Kramer. If he wants to talk about something weird, the Prime Minister told us that if we brought in a big industrial carbon tax on our steel, aluminum, cement and concrete, the Europeans would let our industrial goods in tariff-free. It turns out they are now threatening a carbon tariff on Canada, at the same time the Prime Minister holds his grand summit. He has already failed to get American tariffs lifted, like he promised in the election. Can Prime Minister tell us, is he going to stand up to the Europeans and make sure there is no carbon tariff on our goods?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Canada is working closely with the European Union on energy. We recently sent our first gas shipments from the West Coast to Germany, and we will do more work like this together.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, among the many areas of co-operation with Europe that we will obviously be discussing today and will be discussing going forward, in terms of our much closer arrangement with the European Union, will indeed be energy. I noted with great pleasure that my colleague, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources saluted the fact that the first gas shipments going to Germany left the West Coast in these past months, and we can expect much more energy co-operation with our friends in the European Union.

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Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“Canadians are struggling with the cost of food, gas, and housing. The Prime Minister focuses on big international meetings instead, but he is not getting results. Nine European countries still have not approved our trade deal, allowed Canadian beef, or dropped their carbon tariff. I want to know if his trips are just for show.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has told Canadians for the last two years to ignore their grocery bills, their rising gas prices and the fact that an entire generation cannot afford a place to live because he has got these grand signing ceremonies of meaningless documents. Here we are, with no commitment from the nine European holdouts to sign on and ratify the existing free trade agreement we have or to allow our beef in or to cancel their planned carbon tariff. Why is the Prime Minister not delivering real results? Is it because this is just another public relations stunt?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal

Linked statement

“Our free trade deal with Europe is in place right now. Canada is on track to more than double our sales to countries other than the United States over the next ten years. We will do this by putting money into our ports, energy, and workers.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we have a free trade arrangement with Europe. It is in effect right now. I have even better news. The Prime Minister has set an ambitious objective for Canada to double our non-U.S. exports. I want to tell the leader the news is in: We are on track and beyond to doubling our non-U.S. exports over the next 10 years. We will do it by investing in our ports. We will do it by investing in projects, in energy and especially in our people by building Canada strong.

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Pierre Poilievre

Conservative
“The Liberals brag about trade promises they have not kept. Nine European countries still have not approved our trade deal, and Europe is still blocking our beef and pork. The Liberals will not commit to fixing either problem at this summit, making the meeting useless.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we have to admire the hubris of a party whose members stands up over there and brag about promises that they have made that they have not kept. They are going to a summit with a continent that already has a free trade agreement, but nine of its members have not signed on to it. They will not commit to getting a single one of those countries to sign. In fact, not one of their leaders will be there. Then they are blocking our beef and pork, and the Liberals will not commit to getting that removed at this summit. Speaking of beef and pork, is this not just another big nothing burger?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“The Prime Minister is meeting with European Union leaders today to agree on new work together on trade, technology, and transport. Working with our European partners opens new markets and keeps Canadians working.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I think Canadians look, with a great deal of pride, at the events in Montreal today, where our Prime Minister is going to break new trails in terms of co-operation with the European Union, and with new arrangements in AI, in democracy, in transportation and in trade. These are all areas where we can more closely collaborate with our European friends, diversify our markets, build Canada strong, and make sure that Canada works with like-minded nations to keep our people prosperous and keep our people working.

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Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“Quebec wants to trade more with Europe, but Canada's climate choices are hurting us. The European Union taxes goods from countries that do not protect the environment. Because Canada ended its carbon tax, Europe could charge $2.8 billion in fees on our goods next year, including $800 million on metal from Quebec. The government must admit its weak climate rules are hurting Quebec trade.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Quebec wants to boost trade with Europe in the face of the tariff crisis, but CBC is reporting that Canada is going to hamper our efforts. The European Union imposes tariffs on products from countries with poor environmental records. Since Canada, unlike Quebec, has scrapped its carbon pricing, it is exposing us to penalties. An internal memo estimates that $2.8 billion worth of goods will be subject to tariffs next year, including $800 million on aluminum, steel and iron from Quebec alone. Do the Liberals realize that their climate capitulation is standing in the way of Quebec trade?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“The Bloc Québécois is spreading falsehoods. We work closely with the European Union on artificial intelligence, democracy, and other areas. We are also helping them with energy, including our first shipments of liquefied natural gas from the west coast.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Québécois is peddling all sorts of falsehoods. First, we are working with the European Union on a wide range of collaborative projects, whether in the fields of artificial intelligence, democracy or closer co-operation in a number of areas. We are also working with the European Union because it needs energy. I was particularly interested to hear my colleague, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announce that the first shipments of LNG have left Canada’s west coast.

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Christine Normandin

Bloc Québécois
“Canada's decisions on carbon pricing mean European tariffs will hit 800 million dollars' worth of Quebec metals. This will hurt Quebec's exports. I want to know why the government is doing this.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the CBC must appreciate the minister’s disregard for it. For years, the Bloc Québécois has been warning the federal government that Quebec will be hit harder by European tariffs if Canada ends its carbon pricing. Well, that time has come. Even if Quebec maintains its carbon pricing, 800 million dollars’ worth of our Quebec metals will still be subject to tariffs. Thanks to Canada, we are going to face more customs barriers. Are the Liberals proud of the harm they are doing to Quebec’s exports?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Our government supports Quebec's clean aluminum industry. If the Bloc Québécois wants to cut greenhouse gases, they should back our high-speed train project between Quebec and Ontario.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Quebec’s aluminum is one of the greenest in the world. Our government has attracted new investments and collaborations with Canadian aluminum producers, and we are not stopping there. To be very clear: If the Bloc Québécois is interested in reducing greenhouse gases, all it has to do is support the biggest greenhouse gas reduction project of all: the high-speed rail project connecting cities in Quebec to cities Ontario.

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Mario Simard

Bloc Québécois
“Europe is going to put tariffs on Quebec's metal exports because of Canada's policies. The Liberals also weakened pesticide rules and allowed banned pesticides back, which will hurt our food trade with Europe too. Their weak rules will cost Quebec.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Europe is going to impose tariffs on Quebec’s aluminum, steel and iron exports because of Canada. This may not end with metal exports, because the Liberals also weakened pesticide regulations and even gave themselves the power to reintroduce banned pesticides. Europe has strict standards in this area as well, so that will hinder agri-food trade. Unlike the Liberals, Europe takes these issues seriously. Do they now realize how much their irresponsible deregulation will cost Quebec?

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Steven MacKinnon

Liberal
“Europe wants to work more closely with Canada. We are building stronger ties with France, Romania, Spain, and Germany. This will give Canadian and Quebec businesses better access to European markets.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Europe is throwing open its doors to co-operation with Canada. It was a historic day, during which we explored a wide range of opportunities to deepen our co-operation with France, Romania, Spain and Germany. We will continue to strengthen these relationships across a number of sectors, expanding access to European markets for Canadian companies and individuals, including Quebeckers, who stand to benefit greatly.

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All 44 items ·
  1. Government Orders Safe Social Media Act 38 statements
  2. Government Orders Safe Social Media Act 81 statements
  3. Oral Questions International Trade 18 statements
  4. Oral Questions Finance 14 statements
  5. Oral Questions Justice 8 statements
  6. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  7. Oral Questions International Trade 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 8 statements
  9. Oral Questions Government Appointments 5 statements
  10. Oral Questions Steel and Aluminum Industry 7 statements
  11. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Fisheries and Oceans 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Taxation 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions The Environment 2 statements
  15. Oral Questions Finance 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Business of the House 2 statements
  17. Government Orders Safe Social Media Act 23 statements
  18. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  19. Government Orders Safe Social Media Act 42 statements
  20. Oral Questions Intergovernmental Relations 4 statements
  21. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  22. Oral Questions Families, Children and Social Development 2 statements
  23. Private Members' Business National Strategy for Soil Health Act 16 statements
  24. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  25. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  26. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements