David Tilson, MP for Dufferin-Caledon, participated in the Fourth Part of the 2006 Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), held in Berlin, and Strasbourg, earlier this month.

The Conservative MP Tilson sat in on several inter-sessional committee meetings on various topics of political and economic importance to Canada. During his time in Strasbourg, Mr. Tilson participated in a debate on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the world economy.

The debate focused on the prospects of the world economy and its future challenges, including trade liberalization and agricultural export subsidies, which effect economic growth around the world.

Mr. Tilson addressed the international delegation on the topic stating that Canadians "have an open economy, and our goal is to create a more level international playing field through the elimination of export subsidies, the substantial reduction of trade-distorting domestic support and real and significant improvements in market access."

He articulated the Canadian position by pointing out that Canada strongly supports trade liberalization in agriculture, "both because it would benefit our agricultural producers and processors and because it is urgently needed to improve the prospects for developing countries."