NEWS RELEASES
PETTIGREW RESPONDS TO PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEEREPORT ON CANADA'S TRADE AGENDA IN THE AMERICAS
October 28, 2002 (3:50 p.m. EST) No. 131
PETTIGREW RESPONDS TO PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
REPORT ON CANADA'S TRADE AGENDA IN THE AMERICAS
On behalf of International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew, Pat O'Brien, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, today
presented in the House of Commons the Government of Canada's response to a parliamentary report on Canada's economic
links with the Americas.
The response answers 23 recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(SCFAIT), in a report entitled Strengthening Canada's Economic Links with the Americas. The report examined Canada's
existing ties with the region and made recommendations on increasing formal economic linkages and strengthening
Canada's overall relationship with the Americas.
"I welcome the Committee's report and the support it lends to the government's approach to strengthening trade and
economic relations with our partners in the hemisphere," said Minister Pettigrew. "The government's trade agenda is about
promoting prosperity, rules-based systems and support for broader foreign policy goals."
Minister Pettigrew will advance Canada's trade agenda with the Americas when he attends the seventh Free Trade Area of
the Americas (FTAA) Ministerial Meeting on November 1 in Quito, Ecuador. He will also hold bilateral meetings with
several Latin American and Caribbean partners on the margins of the meeting.
"The SCFAIT report urged the government to champion the FTAA process and pursue bilateral trade and investment
linkages with key partners in the region. These approaches are at the heart of the Government of Canada's policy," added
Minister Pettigrew.
The Government of Canada has made parliamentary and citizen engagement an integral part of its trade policy agenda,
reflecting Canadians' priorities and interests, and a commitment to fairness, stability and good governance. Consultations
will continue as the negotiating process evolves in order to further refine Canada's position.
The complete report can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Trade Negotiations Web
site at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/Consult3-e.asp#FTAA
For additional information on the FTAA, please visit the Department's web site at:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/ftaa1-e.asp
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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