Minister Raitt highlights benefits of historic Canada-EU Trade Agreement to Ontario-Quebec maritime shipping and tourism industry

MONTREAL, Nov. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, addressed members and stakeholders of the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council during a conference on the sustainability and competitiveness of the St. Lawrence - Great Lakes trade corridor, hosted at the Port of Montreal. The Minister highlighted the benefits of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) for the St. Lawrence - Great Lakes region.

"This historic agreement between Canada and the EU will give Canadian businesses access to a half-billion new customers in Europe," said Minister Raitt. "And it will create thousands of jobs for Canadians. In fact, its benefits are equal to creating almost 80,000 new jobs."

Minister Raitt also reiterated Transport Canada's commitment to help maintain the St. Lawrence - Great Lakes system as a safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible component of Canada's transportation network.

"Ensuring our transportation network remains sustainable and competitive is important not only to the livelihood of this region, it's important to Canada as a whole. That is why we are moving ahead with steps to strengthen tanker safety and protect our marine environments," added Minister Raitt. "Additionally, our government has committed over $4 billion to transportation projects in Ontario and Quebec that support Canada's international trade agenda, and we will continue to look for ways to maximize the valuable contribution of the St. Lawrence - Great Lakes system to Canadian trade and tourism."

The St. Lawrence Economic Development Council is a forum for discussion, consensus-seeking and action for stakeholders whose activities affect the St. Lawrence economy where cargo and passenger transportation, regional development and the environment are concerned.

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Ashley Kelahear
Senior Communications
Advisor
Office of the Honourable
Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700 

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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