International Trade Minister attends Global Progress conference
News Release
September 15, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, is today participating in Global Progress 2016 in Montréal, Quebec, to promote Canada’s leadership on inclusive economic growth that benefits the middle class and to highlight the many benefits of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Global Progress is an annual gathering of progressive political, business, NGO and thought leaders from across the globe who meet to discuss current challenges and opportunities.
While in Montréal, the Minister will lead a panel discussion entitled Shaping Globalization: New Partnerships for a Fairer World. She will also meet with European representatives, including Sigmar Gabriel, German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, to reiterate the importance of signing and implementing CETA.
The Minister will be highlighting CETA at two upcoming events: On September 19, she will address the party conference of Germany’s Social Democratic Party in Wolfsburg, Germany, and on September 22 she will also speak about CETA with all EU trade ministers during their meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Quotes
“As a progressive agreement, CETA upholds and promotes values that we share as Europeans and Canadians. The agreement will provide a strong foundation for Canada and the EU to demonstrate progressive leadership on an inclusive approach to trade, which will squarely benefit our middle classes. Together, we will continue to advance environmental protections, transparent investment rules, workers’ rights, and world-class public services.”
- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of International Trade
Quick facts
- Approximately 98 percent of all EU tariff lines will be duty-free on the first day CETA comes into force (over 99 percent when fully implemented).
- CETA will deepen trade and investment links between Canada and EU member states.
- CETA will provide Canada with guaranteed preferential market access to the EU.
Associated links
- Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
- Joint statement by European Commissioner for Trade and Canada’s Minister of International Trade on Canada-EU trade agreement
- CETA: Modifications to investment protection provisions - FAQs
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
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international trade - Global Affairs Canada
Search for related information by keyword