Toronto Board of Trade to hear about the CPTPP – a sweet deal to open up important markets for Canadian business

News release

February 14, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Supporting Canadian companies of all sizes so they can capitalize on opportunities for trade and investment worldwide 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 this week, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification, Omar Alghabra, and the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, will speak today to members of the Toronto Region Board of Trade about the CPTPP.

This event is one of many across the country this week, and during the coming weeks, to highlight the new opportunities created by Canada’s trade diversification strategy and the ambitious trade agreements, resources and support, such as the Trade Commissioner Service, that are available to help Canadian firms access global markets.

The CPTPP gives Canadians greater access to the most dynamic markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement means that Canadian businesses — from manufacturers and small business owners to scientists, farmers, and fishers — gain access to half a billion new customers.

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 to:

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

“The CPTPP provides Ontario businesses and businesses across Canada 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 be shared more easily with half a billion new customers, creating good, well-paying jobs for Canada’s middle class and those working hard to join it.”

— Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification

“Our global brand is strong again and the world wants and needs more Canada. Through our government’s trade diversification efforts, Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) now have access to customers in 51 countries through 14 trade deals including the CPTPP. Our government is helping SMEs become export-ready so that they can grow global and create good, middle-class jobs along the way.”

— Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion

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.
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

Mallory Clyne
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion
343-291-3553

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

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Date modified:: 2019-02-14