Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa MP Robert Sopuck's seriously concerned over the recent announcement that Canada and the U.S. are opening up talks about the North American Free Trade Agreement. Sopuck notes NAFTA's one of the most successful trade agreements in the world.

Robert Sopuck"President-Elect Trump has vowed to open up NAFTA. However, I thought it was quite foolish for Prime Minster Trudeau to unilaterally offer to open up NAFTA when President-Elect Trump didn't even ask for it."

He says our part of the country exports 80% of what we produce, making trade extremely vital. He adds if something affects free trade with the States, we're the first ones who'll be hurt as a result.

Sopuck also says the softwood lumber agreement's still not been finalized, either.

"That will have major implications for rural Canada. Lumber production is not that large in Manitoba, but when you look at Quebec, Ontario and BC it's huge, and there are thousands of rural jobs at stake. Those two issues in particular I think, should be handled very carefully."