I want to start with a couple of facts:
Canada is the world』s 11th largest economy. We have the world』s 36th largest population.
To support that economy, we have to be a nation that trades. Our Conservative party understands that, which is why we have put so much effort into expanding our trade network around the world.
More importantly, Canadian businesses understand this reality as well – 1 of every 5 Canadians jobs depends on exports. This represents 60 percent of our country』s economy.
So, what are we doing?
We are expanding access for Canadian companies in foreign markets.Under Prime Minister Harper, we have concluded negotiations on free trade agreements with 38 countries, bringing the total to 43.
Canada now has trade agreements with more than half of the entire global marketplace.
We will soon be the only major developed country to have preferential access to the European Union and the United States. These are the world's two largest markets, with a combined 800 million consumers.
But just having these free trade agreements isn』t enough. We need to make sure that Canadian businesses can get their products to these consumers.
Our Conservative team is taking action to help Canadian businesses take advantage of our historic expansion of trade agreements.
This is especially true for our small and medium-sized businesses. There are over a million of these companies in Canada, but only 41,000 currently exporting.
How are we helping them?
We are bringing Ottawa to Main Street. We』re making sure our trade commissioners are out in your communities. Their job is to help companies on the front lines, not to sit in a government office waiting for a phone to ring.
They』re giving companies the tools and information they need to expand their businesses beyond Canadian shores.
We』re bringing these companies on trade missions around the world to kick-start their entrance into new markets.
Historic free trade agreements need historic trade promotion and support if they』re going to benefit Canadian companies and help create Canadian jobs.
Small and medium-sized businesses don』t always have the in-house expertise to expand abroad. That』s why we』re providing them with the tools and advice that they need.
With our support and access to new markets, these small businesses can expand and hire more Canadians. They can become the next great Canadian success story.
Our Conservative team is committed to delivering good jobs and economic growth to hard-working Canadians. We』re doing this through increased trade and investment, and it is working.
I』m proud of all that we have accomplished, and I look forward to even more growth and prosperity in the years to come.