Government of Canada discusses trade with Indigenous leaders and organizations

September 9, 2016 - Toronto, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, along with the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, met today in Toronto with national Indigenous organizations (NIOs), modern treaty signatories, and Indigenous business and academic communities to consult on trade topics.

Participants had the opportunity to share their views on trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

The input received from NIOs, modern treaty signatories and members of the Indigenous business and academic communities will help shape Canada’s export programs. It will also provide the Government of Canada with Indigenous views on international trade initiatives, particularly the TPP.

Quotes

Quick facts

• According to the 2006 census, there were 37,445 self-employed Indigenous people in Canada then—a 38-percent increase since 2001, compared to a 7-percent increase for self-employed Canadians overall. Almost one quarter (23 percent) of self-employed Indigenous individuals are in Ontario.
• Indigenous people are creating new businesses at a much higher rate than that of the average Canadian, but the vast majority focus on their local market. In 2010:
• 85 percent of Indigenous-owned businesses sold their goods and services in their local community;
• 73 percent had customers in their province or territory;
• 48 percent had customers elsewhere in Canada;
• 26 percent exported to the United States, and 18 percent exported outside of North America, which is an increase compared to 2002, when only 13 percent of Indigenous business owners sold goods and services outside Canada.
• Also in 2010:
• 61 percent of Indigenous-owned businesses reported profits, and 35 percent had increases in revenue for 2009 to 2010.
• 71 percent were expecting a growth in revenue over the next two years.

Associated links

• Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
• CanExport
• Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship Development
• Export Development Canada

Contacts

Alex Lawrence
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade
alex.lawrence@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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