Strong trade partnerships are important to Canada’s long-term success. Trade yields many opportunities for Canadians, and one in five Canadian jobs are dependent on exports. That’s why our Conservative Government is committed to the most ambitious trade agenda in Canadian history. Since coming into office, we have negotiated numerous free trade agreements including an agreement with the European Union, giving Canada preferential access to its lucrative 28 state market. Most recently, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA), Canada’s first free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific market.

This agreement has already received widespread support from Canadian businesses and stakeholders. That’s because, informed by public consultation, our Government negotiated this landmark agreement to further the priorities of Canadians. This agreement will boost trade and investment between both Canada and South Korea, while creating jobs and opportunities for Canadians across the country. In fact, it is expected to create thousands of new Canadian jobs in a wide range of sectors including industrial goods, agricultural and agri-food products, wine and spirits, fish and seafood, and wood and forestry products. And, with substantial increases in Canadian exports to South Korea, it is also projected to boost the Canadian economy by $1.7 billion a year.

Canadian businesses will benefit greatly from the opportunities generated by this agreement, as it provides them with unprecedented access to South Korea’s $1.1 trillion market and preferential access to over 50 million new customers. This agreement eliminates tariffs for Canadian companies, improves access to South Korea’s government procurement market, facilitates the movement of people between both countries, and, of course, provides a greater variety of goods for Canadian consumers at lower prices.

What’s more, this agreement is important for the global competitiveness of Canadian businesses, as it levels the playing field for Canadian companies competing with South Korea’s existing free trade partners – the United States and the European Union.

Canadians from coast to coast to coast stand to benefit from the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement. As our Conservative Government’s ambitious trade plan continues to help create jobs and opportunities, while supporting Canada’s continued prosperity.

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