Harper Government Committed to Opening New Markets and Creating Jobs
Prime Minister Harper Launches Free Trade Negotiations with Morocco

(Vaughan) Julian Fantino, Minister of State for Seniors and Member of Parliament for Vaughan, today highlighted the Harper government's commitment to opening new markets and creating jobs for Canadian businesses and workers.

"The economy remains our government's top priority. With the economic recovery still fragile, we are focused on creating jobs and economic growth," emphasized Minister Fantino. "Our government's ambitious free trade agenda is creating new opportunities and growth for Canadian businesses and jobs for Canadian workers here in Vaughan," said Minister Fantino.

Prime Minister Harper was joined today by International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to launch free trade negotiations with Morocco.  A free trade agreement with Morocco would be Canada's first with an African country.  It is yet another example of the Harper government opening new markets and creating new opportunities for Canadians. A Canada-Morocco free trade agreement would allow Canada's businesses, workers and farmers to build on the $375 million worth of products they currently export to Morocco annually.

"Today, our government launched free trade negotiations with Morocco. We have also recently launched negotiations with India and are working to a broad and ambitious trade agreement with the European Union. These free trade agreements mean jobs for Canadians and economic success for Canada."

Vaughan boasts many successful trading and exporting companies and organizations that facilitate, and benefit from trade liberalization. The Canadian Italian Business Professional Association (CIBPA) is a shining example of a Vaughan based organization supporting Canada's free trade agenda and long-term economic prosperity. The CIBPA is an active supporter of the Canada-EU trade agreement.

"A Canada-EU agreement will give Canada preferential access to one of the largest markets in the world; it will grow Canada's economy by at least $12 billion. It will create new opportunities, jobs and prosperity for Canadian businesses, workers and their families," said Jason Sordi, President CIBPA of Toronto.
Minister Fantino highlighted ITS Electronics, a Vaughan based company that deals and trades in international markets. ITS designs and manufactures equipment for satellite communications. ITS exports to the US, Europe and Asian markets and has been operating in Vaughan for over 20 years.

"Over the past 5 years, our government has launched an ambitious trade agenda, opening doors to Canadian business like Vaughan-based ITS Electronics, by concluding new free trade agreements with 8 countries," said Minister Fantino.

Since taking office in 2006, the Harper government has pursued an ambitious free trade agenda. In just five years, Canada has concluded free trade agreements with eight countries: Colombia, Peru, Jordan, Panama and the European Free Trade Association states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The Harper Government is now in negotiations with close to 50 countries.

Canadian businesses and workers can compete with the best in the world, confident that the Harper government will continue to pursue an ambitious free trade agenda and entrench economic recovery through freer trade and open markets.