Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States committee  That's a very good question. It's in some ways similar to this problem. This is a long-term issue we've had with the United States, both in softwood lumber and on procurement policy. We have a fundamental disagreement. I wouldn't try to represent the industry's view on what the preferred path forward is, but the more recent signals we're seeing from the U.S. is an interest in a new agreement between Canada and the U.S.

Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States committee  Mr. Chair and committee members, thank you for the invitation to take part in your meeting on buy American and the economic relationship between Canada and the United States. The Business Council of Canada is composed of 150 chief executives and entrepreneurs of Canada's leading enterprises.

International Trade committee  In one piece, we have a temporary solution with the MPIA, which was discussed before. That covers some of our important trade partners, but it unfortunately doesn't include the United States, and that is an issue for us. The country of origin labelling was brought up before. This came up recently in the new USTR's confirmation hearing, about recreating a COOL system that might survive a dispute at the WTO.

International Trade committee  At the moment, nothing comes to mind, but there are lots of technical barriers and non-tariff barriers that our companies face.

International Trade committee  I think we're all eagerly awaiting opportunities to get our vaccines. Just looking at business sentiment, I'll point towards something I saw this week that was quite interesting. Our counterpart organization in the United States, the Business Roundtable, polls its CEOs on a regular basis on business sentiment.

International Trade committee  In my case, I know only what I've read in the news. There's no interaction with members. I don't have anything to say beyond what was already said.

International Trade committee  Everyone is cautiously optimistic, not just with the United States. The European Union's new trade policy signalled openness for reform. I think there is a moment right now, and if we can take advantage of it, we can make some meaningful progress. I'm certainly more hopeful than I was this time last year.

International Trade committee  Rather than looking at legislation, as I noted in my opening remarks, Canada has a policy window at the moment with the new administration to engage on this issue. There's an openness in the United States right now. There is very encouraging language coming from different policy-makers at different levels.

International Trade committee  Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members, for the invitation to take part in your meeting today on reforming the World Trade Organization. The Business Council of Canada is composed of 150 chief executives and entrepreneurs of Canada's leading enterprises. Our members directly and indirectly support more than six million jobs across the country and hundreds of thousands of small businesses.

International Trade committee  I, frankly, don't know anything about the subject. However, I can say that, looking toward the future negotiations, like we did for the USMCA, I believe there could be a special focus on the rights of indigenous peoples in trade. That was a focus in that negotiation, and it's something that we could carry over into our next negotiation.

International Trade committee  It has not come to my attention.

International Trade committee  Concerns about the implementation of the trade continuity agreement as I have read it and understood it.... Yes, we want to continue the trade relationship.

International Trade committee  For this negotiation, our group and other groups have been in regular contact with the team at Global Affairs as well as in the minister's office. There were two stages of the negotiation at one point, dating back to about 2018—I don't want to misquote the year; perhaps it was 2019—when there would have been some of the initial negotiations, and then throughout the summer and fall, engaging with the negotiators.

International Trade committee  Thank you for your question. Yes, swift ratification is a priority. We understand there are concerns with CETA, and I think there are sector-specific concerns that you've heard from other witnesses and in other settings. We think that in this context the best thing Canada can do is to provide certainty around this trade relationship.

International Trade committee  Thank you very much. Madam Chair, committee members, thank you for the invitation to take part in your meeting on Bill C-18, an act to implement the agreement on trade continuity between Canada and the United Kingdom. The Business Council of Canada is composed of 150 chief executives and entrepreneurs of Canada's leading enterprises.