Many constituents are talking about the Canada-European Union trade agreement. Given the fact that our riding is strongly based in agriculture, we will be one of the chief benefactors of a free trade agreement with Europe. Over my tenure as your Member of Parliament, a major concern in our region of Alberta has always been the cultivating of the next generation of farmers. I am glad to hear that many of us already recognize that free trade with Europe is the biggest incentive for future farmers and ranchers in our region since the years of the wheat boom.
It is already estimated that the trade agreement will boost Canada’s economy by $12 billion annually – the equivalent of creating 80,000 new jobs or increasing the average Canadian household’s annual income by $1,000. It will give Canadian businesses in every sector and region of our country access to more than 500 million new customers in Europe, creating thousands of new jobs for Canadians. It is without a doubt that the Canada-European Union trade agreement will be the biggest deal Canada has ever made.
Canada has always been an ‘exporting nation’ and our exports are currently responsible for one out of every five jobs in Canada. Trade offers Canadian consumers a greater choice of lower-priced goods and services. Historically, trade has always increased Canadian prosperity and boosted our standard of living. When Canada trades, our whole country becomes more competitive, as: prices for goods and services fall; wages, salaries and our standard of living rise; businesses can hire more workers; and Canadian families benefit from greater choice and selection in goods and services.
The elimination of European Union tariffs in the agricultural sector will present great opportunities for beef and grain producers who export to the EU.
I recently met with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Beef Producers and the National Cattle Feeders Association. They have been working diligently on this file and closely with Alberta Conservative Caucus. I am pleased that they are already preparing for Europe’s specific protocols and working to ensure Canada’s ranchers satisfy other technical conditions. I was impressed with the Cattlemen’s knowledge, progress and foresight regarding the Canada-European Union trade agreement.
The trade agreement will make Canada one of the only developed countries to have preferential access to the world’s two largest markets – the European Union and the United States. It will make Canada even more attractive for investors and manufacturers, which will create jobs and opportunities for Albertans and all Canadians. We can all be proud of this momentous achievement.
