The MP for Windsor West says trade is going to dominate the first few days of parliament when it resumes on Monday, but he also has some local issues to push.
New Democrat Brian Masse said the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) are going to get a lot of attention. Masse said the NDP will continue to press for a tariff taskforce. He said the Liberals slapped tariffs on U.S. steel to counter U. S. tariffs on our steel and promised to reimburse those companies, but so far not much has happened.
"Only $11,000 has been redistributed to those companies that have faced tariff barriers, but the government has collected more than tens of millions of dollars and companies need those resources back," said Masse.
Masse said our steel companies need the money that was promised to them or they risk losing everything.
"Those companies either have to borrow money for the shortfall or go without that money, which affects jobs and investment and future bidding on contracts," he said.
Masse said jobs are at stake because some companies are on life support.
"Local companies small, medium, and even some large companies are borrowing money just to pay for what the government has taken from them, and that needs to get back to them right away," Masse said.
Masse said the border and the Ojibway Shores woodlot will also continue to be regional and personal priorities.
He also said he will continue to push for digital rights to ensure the public isn't defrauded.
Masse doesn't think this session will be too raucous and said he is focused on pushing his agenda.
