May 24, 2016
Manitoba Government Supports Trans-Pacific Partnership
– – –Free Trade Agreements Protect Manitoba Jobs While Growing Economy into the Future: Cullen
Today, in fulfilment of a commitment made in the recent speech from the throne, Manitoba’s new government will seek the unanimous support of the Manitoba legislature for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a free-trade agreement that would open and expand trade opportunities for Manitoba in the Asia-Pacific region, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.
“Canada’s ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership is critical not only for the agreement’s ability to expand opportunities to trade outside our borders, but also for the necessary protection of thousands of Manitoba jobs,” said Cullen. “Inclusion in the TPP would mean an increase of approximately $250 million per year in sales for Manitoba exporters, while exclusion would close our province’s access to critical trade markets, putting Manitoba jobs at risk.”
The TPP represents a market of 800 million people with a combined gross domestic product of $28 trillion – about 40 per cent of the world’s economy. Between 2012 and 2014, Manitoba exported an average of $9.3 billion annually to TPP countries.
“A strong and united Manitoba legislative assembly would send a powerful signal that our province is ready, willing and able to trade with the world,” added Cullen. “We call on every member to stand up today and to vote in favour of protecting Manitoba jobs.”
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