A local member of Parliament will be joining fellow lawmakers on a trip across the pond to discuss a variety of issues affecting Canadian trade.
Windsor West MP Brian Masse left on Saturday with a group of MPs and Senators for a trip to Europe, during which Canadian issues and how they affect the current political climate in Europe will be discussed. The delegation will consist of lawmakers spanning all the major Canadian political parties.
The first stop on the tour is Britain, where discussions have been scheduled on trade, particularly in light of the current tussle among the British Parliament over Brexit, the pending exit of the UK from the remainder of the European Union (EU).
Masse, also the NDP's Parliament Hill critic for industry and the auto industry, told BlackburnNewsWindsor.com that Brexit could impact British trade with Canada.
"It does pose an interesting situation because Canada has a deal with the European Union that is still in the process of being fulfilled," said Masse. "If Brexit takes place, then Britain will be without a trade partner in more formal, developed ways."
Masse said the objective will be to work out a plan with the British government for a new agreement with Canada if the UK leaves the EU, one that will enhance the relationship between the UK and the former British realm.
From the UK, the delegation will move on to Brussels, Belgium for discussions on NATO. One key topic expected to come up in discussion is the new North American trade agreement, which Masse said has its own share of challenges for Canada and their American neighbours.
"The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or NAFTA 2.0, still has to go through quite the hurdle in the United States to get completed," said Masse. "There's been a lot of celebration over here for basically a trade agreement that has Canada with significant concessions, so it's kind of odd that we're celebrating moving down a step on the ladder."
The discussion in Brussels will take place without the US delegation, as the ongoing government shutdown had them rethinking their travel plans.
