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International Trade Minister to highlight benefits of trade for middle class in Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Government of Canada is working hard to build a network of trade agreements that will provide greater market access and a competitive environment for Canadian business and foster growth and prosperity for Canadians across the country.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, will be in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on March 8, 2017, to highlight how the government’s progressive trade agenda, and especially the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), can help Canadian companies grow and expand into new markets. Nearly two-thirds of Manitoba’s exports are manufactured goods and more than 20 percent are agricultural goods.
Minister Champagne will meet with representatives of a number of businesses to explain how they will soon be able to take advantage of reduced tariffs when exporting to, and importing from, the EU.
During his visit, Minister Champagne will also hold consultations with Canadians on exploratory talks with China toward a bilateral free trade agreement. China is Manitoba’s second-largest export market. These consultations will be held during a round table with Indigenous firms and organizations doing business abroad.
Minister Champagne will also be a keynote speaker during the Canola Council of Canada’s 50th anniversary celebration and convention, where he will speak about the importance of international trade to growing Canada’s middle class, including in the context of expanding opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. In September 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and China’s Premier Li Keqiang agreed to a memorandum of understanding that outlined a long-term solution for Canadian exports of canola to China, allowing trade between the two countries to continue on an uninterrupted basis through early 2020.
Quotes
“Our government strongly believes that trade brings more opportunities for Canadian companies in all sectors of our economy and those opportunities will mean more middle class jobs for Canadians. We are committed to fostering a climate of growth that will create more well-paying jobs across the country.”
– François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade
Quick Facts
- The EU is Manitoba’s third-largest export destination and fourth-largest trading partner. Once in force, CETA will eliminate tariffs on almost all of Manitoba’s exports and provide access to new market opportunities in the EU. Merchandise exports from Manitoba to the EU reached nearly $574 million in 2016.
- The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service has staff members, including three based in Winnipeg, dedicated to supporting Canadian companies in the Prairies. One of those officers is co-located with the Canola Council as part of the Government of Canada’s efforts to support Canadian business looking for new opportunities in foreign markets.
- Canola contributes an estimated $26.7 billion each year to the Canadian economy, tripling over the past decade. Some 90 percent of Canada’s canola production is exported to dozens of markets around the world, including key trading partners such as China, Japan, Mexico and the United States.
- With $2.5 billion-worth of sales in 2016, canola-related products are Canada’s top agriculture export to China and its second-largest export overall, after wood pulp. In September 2016, the governments of Canada and China reached an understanding that will provide for predictable and secure market access for Canadian canola until March 31, 2020. Read more…
