Minister Lebouthillier meets with Québec City area businesses to discuss the modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement

QUÉBEC, Jan. 19, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada is listening to Canadians from across the country and from all sectors and backgrounds about trade, including through roundtable discussions that focus on the need to support our goals of providing stable, rewarding and well-paying jobs for Canadians and helping grow our middle class. Canada, the United States and Mexico are working together to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). At the same time, the Government of Canada continues to pay close attention to Canadians' views on trade and its importance to economic development.

Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, together with Joël Lightbound, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, and Jean-Claude Poissant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, met with Québec area businesses for a roundtable organized in collaboration with Québec International, an economic development agency that promotes the city's businesses on the international market.

Discussions focused on how modernizing NAFTA could significantly support the growth of regional businesses—especially for small and medium-sized businesses that export to the United States and Mexico—and for creating and maintaining quality jobs for the middle class. The roundtable primarily brought together representatives of small and medium-sized businesses and American subsidiaries operating in the region.

Quotes

"Canada's trade relationships are essential to the prosperity of regional small and medium-sized businesses. This is the case for a number of eastern Quebec businesses that owe part of their success in recent years to increased trade. Our government recognizes the importance of including the views and recommendations of these businesses as we actively work to modernize NAFTA so that trade remains an engine of growth for the North American economy."

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue

"The Government of Canada supports free and fair trade and recognizes the importance of supporting progressive trade agreements that open markets to Canadian goods and services. A sound NAFTA would help support the growth of exporting businesses in the Québec City area and would create and maintain good jobs for the middle class."

Joël Lightbound, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

"The meeting, which took place today on Québec International's premises, was an opportunity to consult businesses in the region and discuss the issues and challenges they face regarding cross-border trade. These discussions have once again confirmed the vital role that trade plays in the growth of our businesses and the prosperity of our economy. We will therefore continue to actively support the industries covered by NAFTA."

Carl Viel, President and CEO, Québec International

Quick Facts

• The North American economy has grown significantly thanks to NAFTA. Since 1994, our combined trading relationship has increased three-fold to almost US$1 trillion in value.
• NAFTA created new opportunities for businesses and workers and improved the lives of our citizens in all three countries.

Associated Links

• Canada and United States relations
• Trade Commissioner Service - Mexico
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Resources

Stay Connected 

To receive updates on what is new at the Canada Revenue Agency, you can:

•  Follow the CRA on Twitter - @CanRevAgency.
•  Follow the CRA on LinkedIn.
•  Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list.
•  Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader.
•  Watch our tax-related videos on YouTube.

SOURCE Canada Revenue Agency