WINNIPEG, MB. – The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) congratulated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau along with Ministers Chrystia Freeland and François-Philippe Champagne, in a news release, for reaching an agreement on the Comprehensive & Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The deal, announced Tuesday January 23rd, will provide Canadian firms access to a global market of 494 million people, with a combined GDP of US$10.2 trillion, or 13.6 per cent of global GDP.

“This is an important agreement that offers Canada’s small businesses substantially expanded market opportunities. It’s also timely, given the current uncertainty surrounding NAFTA,” said Dan Kelly, President at CFIB.

CFIB is especially pleased that the agreement has a dedicated chapter with specific measures to help small and medium-sized businesses fully benefit from the CPTPP.

“A chapter dedicated to SMEs, indicates that the various CPTPP countries recognize that smaller businesses have unique needs and may need additional or different tools to successfully trade across borders,” added Kelly.

Manitoba Post with files from the CFIB

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