Deeper trade with the EU will bring good jobs, economic growth and greater long-term prosperity to workers and businesses in key sectors of Kamloops’ economy, says Minister Moore
October 28, 2013 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry and minister responsible for British Columbia, today met with representatives from the agricultural and business communities to discuss the many benefits of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. The event was hosted by the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA) in Kamloops, B.C.
“This historic agreement with the European Union is a big win for workers, businesses and families right here in Kamloops and across the region,” said Minister Moore. “Throughout the province, hard-working British Columbians will benefit, especially those working in key sectors of the local economy including fruit growers, cattle ranchers and pork producers.”
In addition to tariff elimination, the Canada-EU trade agreement will provide improved access to EU markets for Canadian goods and services; greater certainty, transparency and protection for investments; and new opportunities in EU procurement markets.
“The Canada-EU trade agreement is a historic, 21st century, gold-standard agreement that is the foundation of the most ambitious trade expansion plan in our nation’s history,” said the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade. “It is an agreement that will bring benefits to a wide range of sectors in every region of the country and is clear proof of our government’s commitment to opening new, large and dynamic markets to our exporters, workers and businesses.”
“The EU is a market that affords a lot of opportunity for the beef cattle industry and one that I believe B.C. can take advantage of,” said BCCA President David Haywood-Farmer. “BC Cattlemen’s is pleased that the Government of Canada was able to increase our beef industry’s market access to Europe with this agreement, and we look forward to the deal being finalized.”
A joint study concluded that a Canada-EU trade agreement could bring a 20-percent boost in bilateral trade and a $12-billion annual increase to Canada’s economy. That is the equivalent of adding $1,000 to the average Canadian household’s income or 80,000 new jobs to the Canadian economy.
Harper government ministers and members of Parliament are holding events across Canada this week to highlight the widespread benefits that will be generated by the agreement in every region of the country.
The EU is Canada’s second-largest trading partner and the world’s largest integrated economy, with more than 500 million consumers and a GDP of $17 trillion. The Canada-EU trade agreement is by far Canada’s most ambitious trade initiative, broader and deeper in scope than the historic North American Free Trade Agreement.
For more information on how the Canada-EU trade agreement will benefit B.C., please visit Benefits for British Columbia.
For more information about the vast benefits of the Canada-EU trade agreement, please visit actionplan.gc.ca/CETA.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332
rudy.husny@international.gc.ca
Jessica Fletcher
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable James Moore
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
613-995-1874
media@international.gc.ca
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