International Trade Minister to visit New Brunswick to promote regional export opportunities
News Release
July 3, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Consistent with the objectives of the Atlantic Growth Strategy, the Government of Canada is actively pursuing initiatives that will help businesses grow and become more competitive in global markets.
On Tuesday, July 4, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, will visit Saint John, New Brunswick, where he will engage with local businesses and announce a new pan-Atlantic-Canada export approach with the Honourable Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick; the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard; and the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Singh Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
While in Saint John, Minister Champagne will also hold a series of roundtable meetings with representatives from New Brunswick businesses and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters to discuss growing export opportunities for Atlantic Canada. This will include meeting with local companies who recently participated in a pan-Atlantic trade mission to the U.K. and Netherlands to discuss opportunities in the European market, and engaging in a roundtable with Minister MacAulay, on expanding trade in the agriculture, agri-food and seafood sectors.
Also, Minister Champagne will sign a Letter of Intent with the Province of New Brunswick to enhance collaboration between the federal and provincial governments in boosting regional access to government programs and resources that will help companies explore and pursue opportunities in new markets around the world.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is actively helping businesses in the Atlantic Provinces take advantage of Canada’s position as a trading nation and pursue opportunities in global markets around the world.
By leveraging government programs and expanding into new markets, industries in Atlantic Canada are well positioned for growth that will create more jobs and opportunities across all four provinces.”
- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade
“This new export approach will help create economic opportunities and good middle-class jobs for Atlantic Canadians. Our government is proud to be laying the foundation for economic growth in this region.”
- Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
”Canada’s exports have been climbing annually, and our Government has set an ambitious target to grow our agri-food exports to $75 billion a year by 2025. Atlantic Canada will be a part of this ambitious target through expanding trade opportunities and spurring innovative growth in the agriculture and agri-food sector. This will bring more jobs to our region and help support a strong middle class in Atlantic Canada.”
-Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Quick Facts
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International exports represent a significant percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Atlantic provinces: 48.4% for New Brunswick, 34.1% for Newfoundland and Labrador, 20.9% for Prince Edward Island, and 18.4% for Nova Scotia (2015).
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Overall for Canada, international exports represent 31.6% of Canada’s GDP (2015)
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Top exports from Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are crude petroleum, light oil, lobsters, crab and shrimps and potatoes, respectively.
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