September 17, 2015 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce applauds renewed progress in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations and urges the Government of Canada to conclude an agreement when trade ministers meet later this month.
“At a time when Canadians are deciding who they want to lead them through difficult economic times, it’s important for all parties to get behind this ground-breaking agreement. This massive trade deal is the on-ramp to the world economy.” said the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “Canada cannot afford to wait or walk away from this agreement”.
A wide-ranging TPP will support Canada’s current free trade agreements, attract more foreign investment and strengthen our global competitiveness. The TPP will also give Canadian businesses improved access to 800 million consumers across eleven countries, representing nearly 40 percent of global economic activity.
“Trade negotiations are never easy, especially on the backdrop of an election. Canada and its partners have difficult decisions to make. The TPP will have to offer real market access and respect the integrity of the North American production platform. There will be challenges for various sectors in this deal, huge opportunities for others. The key is to have confidence that Canadians can compete. We have the skills and the ambitions. We need to hear from politicians what they can do to support us” said Mr. Beatty.
“Most of all, we cannot let the chance to be part of such a significant agreement go by without acting”, he concluded.
The Canadian Chamber encourages our negotiators to make the decisions that will advance the country’s trade agenda. A positive and comprehensive agreement, well implemented, will open up new opportunities for Canadian business and grow Canada’s trade and investment.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the federal government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 200,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. Follow us on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom.
