NLIS 3
May 3, 2000
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

I rise before the House today to inform honourable members of an event taking place tomorrow called the Housing Export Outlook Seminar for the United States.

My department of Industry, Trade and Technology is co-sponsoring this seminar, along with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Carol Kerley, senior trade consultant with CMHC, will be speaking at the event. In addition, local businessman Harvey Short of Nu-Way Kitchens Ltd. will be sharing his export experiences in the U.S. market.

The United States represents Canada�s largest export housing market, and has significant export potential. In fact, last year, the U.S. housing market was worth over $16.6 billion for all of Canada.

This seminar will provide local companies which export housing and building products with important information on current opportunities in both the new housing and renovation markets in the United States.

This is an excellent time for Newfoundland and Labrador to be pursuing this market more aggressively. The U.S. housing market is thriving, the exchange rate is favourable for Canadian companies and reductions in tariffs have reduced trade barriers.

The seminar tomorrow will focus on several areas, including an outlook study on the U.S. housing market, which highlights trends, the hottest markets, and other critical market intelligence. There will also be a focus on the renovation side of the industry, as well as information on business practices in various regions of the U.S., such as procurement and regulations.

We have already seen several success stories of local companies prospering in the international housing market. I am sure that many members are familiar with Cottlesville-based company, Cottles Island Lumber/Highland Homes, which is building homes for the community of Primavera in Chile.

This is just one example of a company that honed in on a new opportunity for increasing its exports, and is succeeding as a result of its efforts.

The Housing Export Outlook Seminar for the United States presents another opportunity for local companies to increase their business in the international housing market.

My department is focused on helping companies in Newfoundland and Labrador access new and expanding opportunities for export growth. That is why we introduced the New England Trade and Investment Strategy a few months ago.

That is also why Premier Tobin and I are leading a delegation of 10 local companies to New England next week for the Team Canada Atlantic Trade Mission.

The housing market in the U.S. has been identified by my department, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and other departments as another key trade opportunity. I am confident that tomorrow�s seminar will be beneficial for our province�s businesses as they continue to successfully compete in international markets with their high caliber of products and services.

2000 05 03                                     2:35 p.m.