International Trade committee  We must ensure that compensatory measures are put in place and implemented, because in the case of the other agreements, these measures are slow to take effect.

International Trade committee  We fear that Mexico is importing aluminum from China and processing this aluminum in a very minor way so that it will be considered aluminum made in the signatory countries. We must keep a very close eye on this situation so that this doesn't happen, because this would really reduce aluminum exports to the United States and Mexico.

International Trade committee  Good question. We surveyed our members regarding this agreement. The survey very strongly indicated that industries are afraid of losing their competitiveness because of this agreement. That's the message that we want to get across today.

International Trade committee  You're right to acknowledge all these organizations. These people are doing a very good job. Furthermore, what our members are telling us concerns the agreement with the European Union. Businesses are finding that France has a much greater presence in Quebec than Quebec businesses have in France.

International Trade committee  Precisely.

International Trade committee  I am referring to the commissioners that are active in various cities around the world.

International Trade committee  You summed up our comments well. Indeed, it's not an ideal agreement, but it's the best one we were able to get. It's important that it be ratified in a timely manner, in other words, as quickly as possible, to put an end to the uncertainty hanging in the air. It's also important, of course, that the government put in place the necessary compensation programs for affected sectors, especially the aluminum industry and supply-managed sectors.

International Trade committee  As you are aware, we have trade commissioners in Quebec and in Canada. In Quebec, we strengthened their role in the world by giving them an increasingly economic mandate. We think that is an important way to reach out to businesses and help them better understand the opportunities available to them under trade agreements.

International Trade committee  Thank you for your question. For businesses big and small in Quebec, the United States is usually their first export market. Two-thirds of Quebec's exports go to the U.S., so it's important that all small and medium-size businesses, not just large sophisticated companies, be able to take advantage.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Good afternoon. My name is Kathy Megyery. I am joined by Alexandre Gagnon and Michel Cournoyer. The Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, or FCCQ, was founded in 1909. It is at one and the same time a federation of boards of trade and a provincial board of trade. Thanks to its vast network of close to 130 boards of trade and its 1,100 member enterprises, the FCCQ represents over 50,000 enterprises that are active in all sectors of the economy throughout Quebec.