The Province of Manitoba has reached an agreement with governments across Canada on a comprehensive new Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).
The deal will cover trade in goods, services, investment and labour mobility. The CFTA replaces the existing Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and covers most areas of the Canadian economy.
Unlike the AIT, which only applies to specified sectors of the economy, the CFTA will apply automatically to all economic activity unless an exception is specifically listed. In addition, the CFTA will automatically apply to goods and services in new and emerging sectors which significantly removes regulatory uncertainty.
Keystone Agricultural Producers President Dan Mazier took part in Friday's announcement in Winnipeg.
“Today, Canada imports more than $47 billion in food from other countries, much of which is meat, grains and vegetables that Canadian farmers also produce right here at home,” he said. “Interprovincial trade barriers have too often made it easier for processors and retailers to import food from another country, than from another province. Time and time again Canadians have made it clear they want to be eating Canadian-produced food. The CFTA offers the possibility of reducing internal barriers and red tape, and allowing consumers more chances to choose Canadian products.”
Source : Steinbachonline