November 19, 2014 - The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, and Brad Woodside, Mayor of the City of Fredericton and President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), today released a joint statement following a meeting with FCM Board of Directors during their annual Advocacy Days in Ottawa:
“The Global Markets Action Plan commited to a strengthened and renewed partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Through this dialogue, we will ensure that communities of all sizes across Canada benefit from, contribute to and work alongside the Government of Canada toward shared objectives. To that end, FCM and Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) announce the renewal of the FCM-DFATD Trade Joint Working Group.”
Key objectives of the joint working group include:
- developing joint initiatives to provide municipal officials with trade promotion tools including trade and investment programs and services, and activities and practical information regarding international trade agreements and opportunities;
- supporting FCM’s efforts to attract job-creating investment in Canada;
- engaging FCM and its members on issues related to trade and investment, including market access and barriers to trade;
- identifying areas of collaboration; and
- reporting annually to the President of FCM and the Minister of International Trade.
FCM welcomed the Government of Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan, which is aimed at boosting exports through vigorous trade promotion efforts with a special focus on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and attracting job-creating investment in local communities across Canada.
During the first year, the joint working group will focus on ensuring SMEs and communities across Canada benefit from the opportunities resulting from the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement.
“Under our Global Markets Action Plan, we committed to a strengthened and renewed structure with FCM and today we are delivering on our commitment. The joint working group will help ensure that municipalities across Canada benefit from our recently concluded trade agreements with the European Union and Korea, and will help our SMEs export and attract job-creating investment in Canada.”
- Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade
“To realize Canada’s full economic potential, cities and communities must be full partners with the federal government to attract jobs and promote local businesses. Strong cities and communities are central to Canada’s long-term economic competitiveness. This kind of partnership can only improve our capacity to take advantage of international trade and investment opportunities”
- Brad Woodside, Mayor of the City of Fredericton and President of the FCM
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Shannon Gutoskie
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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