Released on September 26, 2014
A major milestone on the path to the Canada-Europe free trade deal that is vital to Saskatchewan is being celebrated today in Toronto and Ottawa.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is hosting a Canada-European Union (EU) Summit during which the federal government is celebrating the conclusion of negotiations with the EU on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, are at the summit and are participating in the celebration with the prime minister.
“We applaud the federal government for its commitment to getting this trade deal done,” Premier Brad Wall said. “The provinces were important partners in the CETA negotiations and all of us will benefit from the greater access our businesses and producers will have to European markets.”
For example, Canada’s agricultural exporters stand to realize an estimated $1.3 billion in benefits.
“We are very happy with the conclusion of CETA negotiations and the increased access our agriculture exporters will experience once the agreement is fully implemented,” Wall said. “Saskatchewan producers will gain significant new access to EU markets for their beef, pork, bison, grain and oilseed products.”
Saskatchewan’s mining industry will also receive a boost from the free trade deal, thanks to the easing of Canadian restrictions on EU investment in uranium mining projects. Easing those restrictions could mean as much as $2.5 billion in investment in Saskatchewan’s uranium mining sector over the next 15 years.
Next steps on the agreement involve a final legal review and translation, as well as ratification by the Canadian and European Parliaments and the European Council.
“Trade is one of the key components of our growth plan which is why we are happy to work with a federal government with an aggressive trade agenda,” Wall said. “Saskatchewan is a province of traders, one of the most export-oriented jurisdictions in Canada. Opening up new markets, such as Europe, will enable sustained growth for our economy, our businesses and the people of Saskatchewan.”
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For more information, contact:
Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927