Nova Scotian businesses to hear how trade agreements open up important markets for Canadian business

News release

February 26, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Supporting Canadian companies of all sizes so they can capitalize on export opportunities globally and create jobs for the Canadian middle class is at the heart of Canada’s trade diversification strategy.

Building on the successful Canadian launch of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Vancouver earlier this month, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification, joins the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Nova Scotia Business Inc. to talk about the CPTPP at the Discover Opportunities in Asia Pacific event.

This event is one of many Global Affairs Canada is hosting across the country to highlight new opportunities for Canadian businesses created by Canada’s ambitious new trade agreements, as well as programs and support to help Canadian firms expand to access global markets and create jobs for Canadians. In Atlantic Canada, the next events take place in Charlottetown on February 27, and St. John’s on March 1.

To help Canadians take advantage of the benefits of Canada’s trade agreements and access new markets, the Government of Canada is investing $1.1 billion in programs and services that:

provide resources to small and medium-sized enterprises to help them explore new export opportunities;
enhance trade services for Canadian exporters; and
help Canadian innovators add value, succeed and grow their businesses.

Quotes

“This trade deal provides Nova Scotia companies and businesses across Canada with a competitive advantage in both established and fast-growing markets across the Asia-Pacific region. Our new Asia Pacific agreement is a bridge that will enable people, goods and services to move more freely between our countries to reach half a billion new customers, creating good, well-paying jobs for Canada’s middle class.”

- Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification

“Events like this align with the goals and objectives of the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy, which encourages federal and provincial collaboration to expand Atlantic Canadian business activities in international markets. The CPTPP will eliminate tariffs on almost all major Nova Scotia exports to the Asia-Pacific region, which will benefit the province’s exporters, create more jobs and generate prosperity for all Nova Scotians.”

- Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.

“On average, from 2015-2017, Nova Scotia companies exported approximately $300 million worth of goods to CPTPP and CKFTA countries. With new and updated trade agreements in place, businesses can enter these markets on a level playing field with unprecedented access. It’s our job now to work with exporters across the province to help them prepare, connect and build confidence in order to leverage the opportunity.”

- Laurel Broten, President and CEO, Nova Scotia Business Inc.

Quick facts

The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between Canada and 10 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
On December 30, 2018, the CPTPP entered into force between the first six countries to ratify the agreement: Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore. On January 14, 2019, the CPTPP entered into force for Vietnam.
With the CPTPP in force, combined with the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, Canadian businesses now have access to 1.5 billion new customers in over 50 countries.
As part of its trade diversification strategy, the Government of Canada will invest $100 million over six years to reinforce the CanExport program and related TCS funding programs, helping more Canadian businesses reach overseas markets.
The TCS helps thousands of Canadian businesses succeed in international markets by providing key business insights and access to an unbeatable network of international contacts.

Associated links

Contacts

Isabella Brisson-Urdaneta
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade Diversification
343-203-7332
Isabella.Brisson-Urdaneta@international.gc.ca

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

ACOA Communications Officer
Ronald Levesque
506-871-0721
ronald.levesque@canada.ca

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2019-02-26