River and Mercantile : Canadian Chamber urges Parliament to work together for quick ratification of critical trade agreement

OTTAWA, ON - January 27, 2020 - The Canadian Chamber of Commerce today issued the following statement regarding the ratification of CUSMA.

'The Canadian Chamber welcomes the start of the next phase of Canada's ratification of CUSMA. North America will always remain Canada's most important trade relationship and it is crucial for businesses that this agreement is ratified in an expeditious manner.

Over the last three years, Canadian businesses have sought certainty on the future of our trade relationship in the face of a protectionist U.S. Administration. Canada took a multi-partisan approach to the negotiations and we hope that Parliamentarians will be able to work collaboratively to pass the implementing legislation.

All trade talks involve give and take, and the CUSMA represents a good outcome overall for the Canadian economy even if not all aspects of the agreement were perfect for every sector of the economy.

Given the pressing trade issues facing the Canadian economy, we need to bring the CUSMA process to a close to enable the Canadian government and businesses to focus on efforts to diversify our export markets.'

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About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Because Business Matters
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decision-makers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation.

For more information, please contact:
Phil Taylor
Managing Director, External Communications
[e-mail] (preferred and fastest response time)
613.797-1860