Letter to the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

Dear Prime Minister,

Canada is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world in which to live. Canadians enjoy the second-highest per capita GDP in the G-7, and our country has earned an enviable record on job creation, economic growth and fiscal responsibility. In all of these areas, Canada’s trade with the world – and the economic activity it generates – is a critical driver of success.

One in three jobs in Canada depends on exports, either directly or indirectly. Simply put, the prosperity of all Canadians depends upon the ability of businesses large and small, in communities across our country, to trade freely with customers around the world.

Your ambitious trade agenda is creating jobs and opportunities for Canadians in every region of the country. The next step must be to open new markets in the fast-growing Asia Pacific region.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations represent an historic opportunity to provide Canadian entrepreneurs and exporters of goods and services with access to almost 800 million new customers. Building on your government’s recent announcement of a comprehensive economic partnership with the European Union, a successful outcome to the TPP negotiations would position Canada as the only country in the world with privileged access to key markets across North America, Europe and Asia.

Sincerely,

The Honourable John Manley
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Council of Chief Executives

The Honourable Perrin Beatty President and
Chief Executive Officer Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Jayson Myers
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters