Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about trade agreements and their impact on the Northwest Territories. My questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister describe what steps his department is taking to convey the NWT's interests to the federal government with regard to international trade negotiations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government is involved in a number of bilateral and multi-lateral trade agreements, and with that being said, they involve the Northwest Territories, they communicate with us in the provinces, and we have representatives, ITI has representatives, at the table with the federal government to engage on these processes and we will continue to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The response is appreciated and it's good to know that we have representatives at the table. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister describe the economic benefits his department believes can come our way through freer trade, and if he could provide specifics it would be appreciated?
These trades we believe will help benefit the Northwest Territories because we are such a small domestic market, and we are reliant on trade to advance growth opportunities in the Northwest Territories in sectors such as fisheries, forestry, manufacturing, the tourism industry and traditional harvesting in another big one. We believe that these free trade agreements will give us access to larger markets.
Thank you to the Minister for his response. Mr. Speaker, some folks are concerned that trade agreements can limit our ability to protect our local economies by removing protections. How does the Minister believe that would impact our ability to buy northern through programs like the Business Incentive Program?
It's my understanding that the threshold in most of these agreements is such a high level that in won't affect a business' policy or the manufacturer's policies.
I appreciate the Minister's reply, but I'm not sure on some of the agreements that's the certain answer; however, I can work with him afterwards with regards to clarity on that matter.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, there are also concerns that trade agreements can constrain us from environmental protections. They say if a company from a TPP country claims our environmental regulations compromise its profits that company can sue our government. We know in the North at Selwyn Mine, for example, has Asian interests and that could potentially fall under this scenario. I'm interested, Mr. Speaker: how would the Minister respond to such a scenario? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
The previous Minister wrote a letter to the federal Minister requesting that Global Affairs Canada hold consultations in the Northwest Territories and we believe that federal Ministers are very willing to come here and do that. They haven't set a time when they want to do that. I believe when the Global Affairs Canada comes here to hold consultation with us that would be a good time to engage in a question in this type of scenario.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
