October 24, 2001 (3:30 p.m. EDT) No. 144

CANADA OUTLINES KEY OBJECTIVES FOR FOURTH WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today outlined Canada's objectives for the fourth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference and the launch of a new round of trade negotiations at the WTO.

In a statement before the House of Common's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr. Pettigrew said that Canada supports negotiations that would open up markets for Canadian business, update the multilateral trading system to reflect today's economic realities, and help the developing world to better reap the benefits of liberalized trade.

Some 142 of the world's trade ministers will gather in Doha, Qatar from November 9 to 13 to discuss the agenda for the possible launch of a general round of negotiations at the WTO.

"Trade ministers have an important role to play in reaffirming confidence in global institutions," said Minister Pettigrew. "Trade is not just about economics. It underpins much of the progress on the world's political and social goals. I will urge my fellow ministers to launch a new round of negotiations at our next ministerial meeting."

"The launch of expanded negotiations by WTO ministers will build momentum for the agriculture talks already underway in Geneva and help ensure that they achieve significant results," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief. "Canada's goal for the agriculture talks is to achieve a more level international playing field for our agriculture and agri-food industry."

"Like Canada, poor countries want stability and prosperity for their people," said International Cooperation Minister Maria Minna. "The best way to reduce poverty is through the economic growth provided by trade. This is why Canada works to help these countries build their capacity to negotiate, exercise and implement the rights and obligations of membership in the WTO."

Canada's overall objectives for a new round of negotiations are to:

• improve the lives of Canadians by increasing economic growth and productivity;

• create opportunities for Canadian agri-food, industrial, and service exporters and investors by achieving greater access to foreign markets and ensuring fairer conditions for their activities;

• provide Canadian consumers with better choices and better prices in goods and services;

• reflect changes in the global economy by updating WTO rules;

• encourage members to work toward a more transparent and open WTO;

• contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries; and

• address public concerns about the social and environmental implications of trade.

A detailed backgrounder on Canada's objectives on specific policy areas at the WTO is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Web site at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/WTO-Background-e.asp.

The objectives reflect ongoing consultations with Canadian citizens. A summary of the consultations and instructions on how to send comments to the government are on the Consultations with Canadians section of the DFAIT Web site at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult-e.asp.

Canada's initial negotiating position for agriculture is available on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Web site at: http://www.agr.ca/cb/news/1999/n90819ae.html.

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