A Canada-EU trade agreement will benefit Canadian workers, businesses and families in all regions of Canada

(No. 304 - October 17, 2011 - 4:30 p.m. ET) The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced the start of a ninth round of negotiations toward a comprehensive economic and trade agreement with the European Union. This latest round of talks is scheduled to continue until Friday, October 21, 2011, in Ottawa.

“We welcome the European negotiating team to Ottawa. Working alongside our negotiators, Canada and the EU are moving closer to an ambitious agreement that has the potential to boost two-way trade by 20 percent, creating prosperity and opportunity for Canadian businesses, workers and their families,” said Minister Fast. “These negotiations represent our most significant trade initiative since the North American Free Trade Agreement. With trade accounting for over 60 percent of our annual GDP, and with one in five Canadian jobs dependent on trade, a Canada-EU trade agreement is a key part of our government’s job-creating, pro-trade plan.” Read more...