HUNTER RIVER, PEI– Parliament must investigate the serious trade ramifications of the Canada – US perimeter security deal, said Liberal International Trade critic Wayne Easter today.
“This government’s Joint Action Plan, which will lead the work of the Canada–United States Regulatory Cooperation Council, ‘seeks to foster new approaches to regulatory alignment,’ in a wide range of areas from agriculture to health and personal care products to the environment,” said Mr. Easter. “Given that more than $1.6 billion of goods cross the border daily between our two countries, it is our responsibility to fully examine the implications of this initiative and ensure broad public input and participation in this important endeavour.”
Mr. Easter tabled a motion calling on the House of Commons Committee on International Trade to hold public hearings on this issue, in light of the recently released report on the Joint Action Plan. The report clearly states that, “unnecessary regulatory differences and duplicative actions hinder cross border trade,” and acknowledges that both countries have, “faced challenges in measuring the potential economic benefits related to regulatory alignment initiatives.”
“Canadians understand the importance of making our trade relationship with the United States more efficient, but they also expect us to defend Canadian standards and structures that have served this country well,” said Mr. Easter. “Furthermore, Canadians are rightly concerned by recent statements where President Obama said in no uncertain terms that his administration would work aggressively to assist US manufacturers and producers that keep their operations in the US. Such heightened protectionism could have very serious implications on our ability to harmonize our economic relationship with the United States. As such, it is my expectation that the members of the International Trade committee will accept this responsibility to fully examine the implications of this cross-border initiative.”
