When it comes to protecting workers, labour conditions, labour legislation, the rights for collective bargaining, when you look at our environmental standards, when you look at our public disclosure laws and accountability and securities regulations to ensure that companies abide by the law, we don't have a level playing field with China.

In this quote, Andrew Scheer is addressing the discrepancies between Canada (and potentially Western nations) and China when it comes to issues of worker protection, labor conditions, and labor legislation. He emphasizes that while countries like Canada have certain standards and regulations in place to protect workers' rights, including collective bargaining, China does not necessarily adhere to the same standards. Scheer is pointing out that this creates an unlevel playing field in terms of global economic competition.

Scheer also highlights various environmental standards and public disclosure laws, noting that countries with stronger regulations in these areas—like Canada—are at a disadvantage when compared to nations with looser standards. He implies that the lack of accountability, along with fewer or weaker securities regulations, can lead to situations where companies in China do not face the same legal obligations as companies in more regulated countries, allowing them to potentially act with less restraint or concern for the environment and public welfare.

The quote underscores the idea that international trade and competition are often influenced by a nation’s regulatory framework. Accountability and transparency in business practices, including how companies must disclose their activities and operate within the law, are crucial components of a fair global market. Scheer is suggesting that the disparity between countries’ regulatory systems creates challenges for those with higher standards, especially when competing on a global scale.

Scheer’s statement points to the broader trade imbalances and the challenges that come with dealing with countries like China, which may not be held to the same standards of corporate responsibility or ethical practices. His argument calls for a more level playing field in international relations, where all countries are subject to similar standards of labor rights, environmental protection, and corporate governance.