Strathroy - Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, 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 MP Shipley. “That is why we are committed to opening new markets for Canadian businesses and Canadian workers.”

Since taking office in 2006, Prime Minister Harper 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.

“Our government’s ambitious free trade agenda is creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses and jobs for Canadian workers,” said MP Shipley.  “Our government has also launched negotiations toward a trade deal with two of the world’s largest economies, the European Union and India.  These free trade agreements mean jobs for Canadians and economic success for Canada.”

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.