Countdown to export opportunities: International Trade Minister to visit province of Quebec to promote benefits of CETA

News Release

August 16, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canadians benefit from international trade, one of the engines of growth for our middle class, and the Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadian businesses succeed in the global marketplace.

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will provide new opportunities in the European Union (EU) market for companies across the country, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). CETA will help SMEs diversify their export markets, which will help grow the economy and create well-paying jobs for the middle class. The provisional application of CETA takes effect on September 21, 2017.

From August 16 to 24, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, will be in the province of Quebec to discuss trade with industry stakeholders and business representatives of some of Quebec’s key sectors that are vital to the prosperity of the province and to the rest of Canada. These meetings and round-table discussions will explore a range of issues, including the best ways for Canadian companies to expand their market share in the EU by taking advantage of CETA.

Minister Champagne will be joined by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, in Sherbrooke on August 17 for a conference on CETA opportunities and a round table with woman entrepreneurs. Minister Champagne will then travel to various cities across the province, including Shawinigan, Gaspé, the city of Québec, Trois-Rivières and Montréal, to highlight the opportunities flowing from CETA, to work with stakeholders to help them reap the most benefits and to hear from workers and their families on how the government can support their future prosperity.

Quotes

“Quebec companies, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs and their families will benefit from Canada’s preferential access to one of the largest markets in the world and the countless opportunities that it will bring to families to ensure their future prosperity. We enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world, and trade is an important contributor to growing our middle class.”

- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade

Quick Facts

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, agreed to a provisional application date of CETA of September 21, 2017.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, agreed to a provisional application date of CETA of September 21, 2017.
  • The EU is Quebec’s second-largest export destination and second-largest trading partner.

  • On Day One of CETA’s provisional application, 98% of EU tariff lines on Canadian goods will be duty-free, including those on key Quebec exports such as manufactured goods, metals and mineral products.

Associated Links

Contacts

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

Page details

Date modified: