March 15, 2000 (3:05 p.m. EST) No. 47

PETTIGREW ANNOUNCES CANADA'S POSITION

ON FTAA NEGOTIATIONS

International Trade Minister Pierre S. Pettigrew today presented to Parliament Canada's priorities and objectives for negotiating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).

The Government's position directly responds to 29 recommendations made by an all-party parliamentary committee, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT). The SCFAIT report recommends the course Canada should take during ongoing FTAA negotiations among the 34 democratic nations of the Americas, slated to conclude by 2005.

"Canada's economic future is directly linked to that of our hemispheric neighbours," said Minister Pettigrew. "When negotiations are concluded, the FTAA will be the world's largest free trade region, with a current population of 800 million people and a combined GDP of nearly $11 trillion."

"Canada is dependent on an open rules-based trading system to continue our impressive economic growth and job creation," said the Minister. "We are also committed to preserving our right to regulate in pursuit of national objectives, including those in the health and education sectors."

Last year, the Standing Committee held cross-country hearings on the FTAA and listened to hundreds of Canadians from a variety of business, labour, environmental, academic and human rights groups. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has also directly consulted industry sector representatives and citizen groups since 1998 and will continue to do so as negotiations progress.

Minister Pettigrew recently concluded a trade development mission to Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, where he urged progress on FTAA negotiations in meetings with the three nations' newly elected leaders and ministers. Argentina currently chairs the FTAA negotiations.

The FTAA is an integral part of the Summit of the Americas process, which reinforces Canada's long-term commitment to the hemisphere. In April 2001 in Quebec City, Canada will host the third Summit of the Americas, which will bring together the region's 34 democratically elected leaders. This June, the city of Windsor, Ontario, will host the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), marking Canada's 10th anniversary as a member of the OAS.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sylvie Bussières

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874