By Paul Calandra, Conservative MP for Oak Ridges-Markham Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has recently launched a series of attacks directed at the Canadian government, criticizing our relations with China. Mr. Ignatieff was scheduled to leave today for what he had deemed an “imperative” international trip to Beijing and Shanghai, in an attempt at ’salvaging’ Canadian-Chinese economic relations. I find it quite interesting that merely days after this bold declaration; the Liberal leader cancelled his scheduled week-long trip to China. The reason being: to try and force an unwanted and largely unpopular fall election. What Mr. Ignatieff doesn’t know is that the Canadian government has been extremely active in its relations with China and is deeply committed to building a forward-looking, principled and meaningful relationship with China. The Prime Minister has in fact met with President Hu at several multilateral meetings, and since coming to office in 2006, our government has undertaken 18 Ministerial level visits to China, including four high level ministerial delegations focussing on building upon our trade interests. My colleagues, the Minister of International Trade and the Minister of Finance, went to China in April and August 2009 respectively. To increase our presence in China we have opened two new trade offices (in Chengdu and Shenzhen), with four additional offices in Nanjing, Qingdao, Shenyang and Wuhan expected to open later this year. We’ve also announced Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative infrastructure projects worth almost $2.5 billion, including federal contributions of over $900 million, to ensure that doors to new trade with China and Asia are opened. I am pleased to say that between 2006 and the year 2008, exports to China have grown by 33.1%. Our government is working hard to boost our commercial presence in Asia and build on successful initiatives such as the Asia-Pacific Gateway. China is a key business partner for Canada and strengthening our relationship is a priority of the government’s commerce strategy. The government’s policy toward China has not changed: defend Canadian values with a strong stance on human rights, while also working to strengthen the trade and investment ties. Canadian values and commercial relations are not mutually exclusive goals. Our comprehensive relationship involves engagement in both areas, and we are confident that we can do so effectively. With that being said, our trade with China continues to grow. In the first nine months of 2007, our exports to China increased 36 per cent over the same period in 2006. We’re turning the corner after 12 years of Liberal inaction. But we are aware that we need to do more. Our $1 billion investment into the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative will create the platform we need for business between our two countries to flourish. The Minister of Trade and the Asia- Pacific Gateway recently announced that Canadian exports of goods and services to almost all of Canada’s major trading markets increased last year, with the one exception of Japan. Canada’s merchandise exports increased by double-digits for each of the “BRIC” emerging markets in 2008: Brazil (71%), Russia (30%), India (35%) and China (10%). The reality is that since taking office in 2006, the Harper government has focused on improving Canadians access to Markets around the world. Our Economic Action Plan is working and Canada remains strong despite the global economic downturn. We will continue to focus on our economy and unlike the Liberal leader; we will promote our success, celebrate Canadian business and labour and continue to prosper in Canada. We should celebrate Canada as the best place to live, work and invest, and not talk down our amazing success. I hope the Liberal leader reflects on this as Parliament resumes in a little over a week.