Executive Council
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
April 07, 2017

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Joins Federal, Provincial and Territorial Governments to Release the Canadian Free Trade Agreement

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador today joined the Federal Government and all provincial and territorial governments to release the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. The national announcement occurred in Toronto where the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation represented Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement will come into force on July 1, 2017.

The new agreement is designed to reduce barriers to trade, open new markets for businesses, increase choice for consumers, and create opportunities for economic growth and diversification. This agreement provides Newfoundland and Labrador businesses across all sectors with fair and transparent access to a vast majority of the procurement undertaken by governments across Canada.

The Canadian Free Trade Agreement includes a regulatory framework governing electricity transmission. This provides specific rules and builds on the principles of open access and non-discrimination that were outlined in the Canadian Energy Strategy. In addition to the development of these rules, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has agreed, at the request of other provinces, territories and the Federal Government, to engage with the Government of Quebec to discuss electricity transmission.

Newfoundland and Labrador businesses exported more than $5 billion to other provinces in 2015, according to Statistics Canada.

Quotes
“The Canadian Free Trade Agreement creates an environment for Newfoundland and Labrador businesses to grow and diversify, and ultimately create more jobs. It also marks the creation of rules for electricity transmission, which opens the door to maximizing the full potential of our natural resources and bringing new wealth to our province.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Through this agreement, we have been able to open new markets for our business community. We have also secured exceptions for local businesses on major projects in Newfoundland and Labrador and protected key economic policies such as the Atlantic Accords.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

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Learn More Full details of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement can be found at www.ait-aci.ca/agreement-internal-trade/cfta-announcement.

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL

Media contacts:

Michelle Cannizzaro Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 Michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca

Eric Humber Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation 709-729-4819, 725-9655 erichumber@gov.nl.ca

2017 04 07                              2:35 p.m.