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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">February 17, 2005 <i>(4:00 p.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 34</span><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">MINISTER PETERSON AND PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL
COUNTERPARTS SET TRADE AND INVESTMENT PRIORITIES</span></span></p>
<br>
<p>International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today met with provincial and territorial trade
ministers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to discuss a number of trade and investment issues
important to Canadians and to set priorities for the coming year. The provinces and
territories agreed to work toward the further liberalization of trade and investment
globally and to maintain a strong focus on the Canada-U.S. relationship.</p>
<br>
<p>“We have a very active trade and investment agenda in Canada and we all have a role
to play in helping Canadians prosper,” said Minister Peterson. “By meeting on a regular
basis to take stock, we are focusing on our goals and working as a team to further
liberalize trade worldwide and to secure Canada’s continuing prosperity.”</p>
<br>
<p>The ministers discussed the importance of Canada-U.S. relations and agreed that it is
vital to ensure that disputes are handled effectively under the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and that decisions are respected. All provinces expressed
their support for the Enhanced Representation Initiative in the U.S, as well as the
establishment of the Washington Secretariat.</p>
<br>
<p>In addition, the ministers agreed on the importance of promoting North American
prosperity by actively pursuing opportunities with emerging economic powers, and the
need to work together to facilitate two-way investment flows. They asked officials to
establish a working group to identify sectors that might be affected by increased global
competitiveness. </p>
<br>
<p>The ministers agreed to continue to seek ambitious results in the World Trade
Organization Doha Development Round, to pursue ongoing and exploratory bilateral
negotiations, and to focus on a coordinated approach to trade.</p>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p>The trade ministers agreed to two additional goals for the coming year:</p>
<p style="text-indent: -0.5in; margin-left: 0.5in"> </p>
<p style="text-indent: -0.5in; margin-left: 0.5in">•<span>         </span>to increase representation in the United States; and </p>
<p style="text-indent: -0.5in; margin-left: 0.5in">•<span>         </span>to help businesses face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities
presented by emerging markets, such as China, India and Brazil.</p>
<br>
<p>“Canada is a trading nation. Trade and investment are the lifeblood of the Canadian
economy and will be even more so in the new global economy,” said Minister Peterson.
“It is increasingly important to work together to lift trade barriers worldwide, including
barriers here in North America. This will help Canadian business to continue to compete
and flourish in the global economy.”</p>
<br>
<p>During the meeting, Minister Peterson officially invited his provincial counterparts to
take part in Advocacy Days to target key U.S. decision makers. This initiative will
emphasize to the U.S. the importance of healthy trade relations with Canada. The first
Advocacy Day will take place on March 1, 2005, in Washington, D.C. </p>
<br>
<p>Ten provinces and territories were represented at the ministerial meeting by six trade
ministers from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and the Yukon, and
senior officials from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Nunavut.</p>
<br>
<p>The following ministers were present at the meeting: Clint Dunford, Alberta Minister of
Economic Development; Scott Smith, Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
and Trade; Joseph Cordiano, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade;
Michel Audet, Quebec Minister of Economic and Regional Development and Research;
Percy Mockler, New Brunswick Minister of Intergovernmental and International
Relations; and Jim Kenyon, Yukon Minister of Economic Development. </p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<br>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Jacqueline LaRocque</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 992-7332</p>
<br>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>International Trade Canada</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220190325/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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