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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>March 4, 2004 <em> (2:00 p.m. EST)</em> No. 33</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>PETERSON HOSTS MEETING WITH </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"><strong>PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL COUNTERPARTS</strong></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Jim Peterson today hosted a federal-provincial-territorial
trade ministers' meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The meeting focused on how to
enhance federal, provincial and territorial partnerships to strengthen Canada's overall
trade and investment strategy.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"I am a firm believer in engaging the provinces and territories in discussions on the
priorities and opportunities that Canada will have in the coming year," said Minister
Peterson. "In order to ensure that Canada's trade policies and strategies reflect
collective national interests, it is essential to maintain and build strong channels of
communication and collaboration."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The meeting examined Canada's current investment climate, emerging markets,
relations with the U.S., including the success of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), and bilateral trade initiatives, as well as negotiations at the Free
Trade Area of the Americas and the World Trade Organization.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Governments at all levels, federal, provincial, territorial and municipal, have an
important role to play in promoting trade and investment," added Minister Peterson.
"We can achieve so much by working together to meet challenges and maximize
opportunities in a rapidly changing global economy."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Ministers agreed that NAFTA has been of great benefit to all Canadians, and that they
must work together to ensure that such benefits are fully understood by all its members.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">They underscored their commitment to expand trade and investment in North America.
They agreed that broadening our advocacy and international business development
efforts in the United States through the government's Enhanced Representation
Initiative was a positive step that had the potential to benefit all levels of government.
Scott Brison, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with special emphasis on
Canada-U.S., participated in these discussions.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The provinces and territories agreed to work closely together to promote Canada as a
prime investment destination. They also decided to enhance efforts aimed at attracting
new investors and retaining existing investments in Canada and will collaborate with the
federal government to develop a comprehensive strategy on new and emerging
markets, with particular emphasis on China, India and Brazil.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Ten provinces and territories were represented at the ministerial meeting: five trade
ministers from Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and
Manitoba, and five deputy ministers or senior officials from Ontario, Alberta, British
Columbia, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The following ministers were present at the meeting: Michel Audet, Quebec Minister of
Economic and Regional Development; Peter Mesheau, New Brunswick Minister of
Business; Ernest Fage, Nova Scotia Minister of Economic Development, MaryAnn
Mihychuk, Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade, and Kathy
Dunderdale, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural
Development. </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Jacqueline LaRocque<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of International Trade<br>
(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office<br>
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071123090346/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></font></p>
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