Minister Freeland, Minister Bains and Minister McKenna to hold meetings on NAFTA modernization

September 21, 2017 – On Friday, September 22, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will participate in discussions on the modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Minister Freeland looks forward to meeting in-person with members of the NAFTA Council, a group of prominent Canadians who offer their expertise and strategic advice in support of Canada's negotiating effort.

Minister Freeland will also host a lunch discussion with the first NAFTA negotiating team, the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada (1984-1993), as well as former Ambassadors to the United States, Derek Burney, Allan Gotlieb and Michael Wilson.

There will be photo opportunities at both of these events.

Later in the day, Ministers Freeland and Bains will participate in a roundtable with representatives from the auto parts industry, a deeply integrated sector that benefits greatly from NAFTA.

In Ottawa, Minister McKenna will sit down with her NAFTA Environment Advisory Council to solicit advice on strengthening environmental protections within the accord.

The ministers’ consultations will take place in the lead-up to the third round of negotiations between Canada, Mexico and the United States on the modernization of NAFTA, which will take place in Ottawa September 23 to 27.

Event: NAFTA Council, photo opportunity
Date: Friday, September 22, 2017
Time: 10:15 a.m.
Location:  Ministers’ Regional Office, 150 King St. W., Suite 2404, Toronto, ON

Event: Lunch discussion, photo opportunity
Date: Friday, September 22, 2017
Time:  12:30 p.m., arrive by 12:00 p.m.
Location: Suite 3800, Norton Rose Fullbright, Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower, 200 Bay St., Toronto, ON

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