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International Trade

During question period, a Liberal member noted that two trade agreements with Indonesia and the United Kingdom had just received royal assent, lowering tariffs to improve market access, and asked how the deals would help small businesses in Quebec City and across Canada grow and create jobs. The minister replied that Canadian exports to countries other than the United States grew by $33 billion over the past year, and said the new agreements open up new markets for Canadian and Quebec businesses.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Steeve Lavoie

Liberal

Linked statement

“Canada just passed two new trade deals with Indonesia and the United Kingdom that lower taxes on trade. I want the minister to explain how these deals will help small businesses in Quebec City and across Canada grow and create jobs.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked a historic moment. For the first time, two international trade bills received royal assent on the same day. These two agreements with Indonesia and the United Kingdom provide for the gradual reduction of numerous tariffs in order to improve market access and the competitiveness of our businesses. As the member for Beauport—Limoilou, I know that diversification is essential for SMEs and workers in Quebec City. Can the Quebec lieutenant explain how these agreements will help SMEs in Quebec City and across the country grow, export more and create good jobs here at home?

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Joël Lightbound

Liberal
“Our exports to countries other than the United States grew by $33 billion last year. New trade deals with Indonesia and the United Kingdom just took effect. These deals open up billions of dollars in new markets for Canadian and Quebec businesses.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, that is an excellent question. I would first like to thank my esteemed colleague from Beauport—Limoilou for the work he is doing on the Standing Committee on International Trade. The trend is clear: Our non-U.S. goods and services exports have increased by $33 billion over the past year, but we are not done yet. As my colleague mentioned, two historic agreements with Indonesia and the United Kingdom came into force yesterday. These countries represent 350 million new customers and billions of dollars in opportunities for our businesses. For Quebec, this means a $5.5-billion Indonesian market for our forestry industry and new markets for our aerospace and pharmaceutical industries. That is good news.

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