January 12, 2011

Pictured in the above photos are the 12 Members of Parliament who sit on the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade. The 12 members are from all four different political parties.

Expanding and increasing trade provides real tangible results for Canada. We need to keep the momentum going, never before has it been more important to expand Canadian markets and diversify our trade partners.

That is why the International Trade Committee recently travelled to Europe to meet with our colleagues in the European Parliament to discuss the ongoing negotiations of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. (CETA)

The EU is Canada’s second largest trading partner; in 2007 total trade was $82.1 billion. CETA would allow Canadian companies tariff free access to the world’s largest single market.

Our Government is committed to pursuing new trade deals and creating economic growth. Since taking office the following Free Trade Agreements have successfully been tabled:

• Panama
• Jordan
• Colombia
• Peru
• European Free Trade Association

And we are now actively pursuing trade negotiations with India, one of the fastest growing economies in the world.