“Thank you for appearing before us today Mr. Poloz.
I have some questions about our relationship with and on-going dependence on China. The current government is quite clear on its intent to expand our ties with China. There are alarming news and predictions about the Chinese economic slow-down, and the threat of an impending debt bust in that country – something we all hope will not happen. However, the numbers are staggering when it comes to the debt to GDP ratio which has soared from 150 percent to 260 percent over the past decade.
My questions are: how will a debt bust, even more moderate than some fear, affect our economy here in Canada, and what is the Bank of Canada doing to minimize any negative outcomes? What risks are we facing should the government succeed in its attempt to move closer to the second largest economy in the world?
Today’s Monetary Policy Report shows a decelerating projected growth rate for China. Your report also speaks of weak global business investment and trade, which has slowed since 2012. And I quote “partly because of uncertainty over future prospects for global demand and ongoing structural adjustments in China.”
And tonight, we will watch a third presidential debate where the next president of the United States will not openly support free trade.
So although the global economy maybe regaining momentum, the vote in Brussels on the weekend and the US election both suggest global support for free trade is going in the wrong direction.
Given this reality, are we not spreading false hope – when we leave the impression trade will help pay for our out-of-control deficit spending? Are not higher taxes the only thing we can say with any certainty that will bring deficit spending under control?”