Eliminating EU tariffs on Canadian chemical and plastic products, averaging 4.9%, would directly benefit Canadian exporters, workers and their families. 

Deeper trade with the EU would mean good jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for hard-working Canadians. 

Eliminating EU tariff barriers will increase sales of Canada’s fish and seafood products in the lucrative EU market of 500 million consumers.

Greater access to the EU services market, worth almost $1.4 trillion, would benefit businesses and workers in Canada's vital R&D sector.

Canadian jobs and prosperity depend on the business we do with other countries. In fact, trade accounts for more than 60 percent of Canada’s annual income (gross domestic product) and for one in five Canadian jobs. The Government of Canada is committed to providing Canadian workers, businesses and investors with the tools, access and support they need to succeed in global markets.

When it comes to free trade agreements (FTAs), it is important to separate fact from fiction. The Government of Canada wants to set the record straight to ensure that Canadians have the facts and can make informed decisions about the long-term benefits and prosperity FTAs can bring to Canadian businesses, workers and their families.

Myth #1: Free trade agreements threaten Canada’s public services. Facts

Myth #2: Free trade agreements prevent governments from regulating environmental, labour, health care and safety standards. Facts

Myth #3: Free trade agreements threaten Canada’s public health care system. Fact

Myth #4: Free trade agreements threaten Canada’s water quality standards and water services regulations. Facts

Myth #5: Free trade agreements harm Canadian environmental standards and regulations. Facts

Myth #6: Free trade agreements could force Canada to export its water. Facts

Myth #7: A Canada-EU free trade agreement would prevent the Government of Canada from protecting Canada’s cultural interests. Facts

Myth #8: Free trade agreements allow foreign investors and foreign companies to challenge Canadian laws and regulations. Facts

Myth #9: A Canada-EU free trade agreement would increase drug and health care costs. Facts

Myth #10: A Canada-EU free trade agreement would prevent Canada’s municipal governments from sourcing goods and services locally. Facts

Myth #11: The Government of Canada is negotiating a Canada-EU free trade agreement secretly. Facts

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
“The conclusion of the CETA has the potential to help Canadian manufacturers and exporters diversify their sales into new export markets, increase their presence in Europe, and position Canada as a more attractive destination for manufacturing investment.” —Jayson Myers, President and CEO, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters 

Canadian Federation of Independent Business
“Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses have always favoured freer trading arrangements.  They therefore welcome the CETA agreement as it will make it easier for these firms to take advantage of opportunities in the enormous European market.  It is particularly appealing that the agreement will reduce paperwork and other costs that can be a major deterrent for small businesses.” —Catherine Swift, President, Canadian Federation of Independent Business 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce
“The Canadian Chamber has always been a strong supporter of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). A successful CETA will benefit Canadian businesses of all sizes and throughout the country. It will facilitate trade procedures, reduce technical barriers and send a clear message of support for open, rules-based global trade and investment.” —Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce  

Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal
“Montréal is a dynamic world-class metropolis with strong aerospace, digital game, information technology and communications, and life sciences sectors. We are, without a doubt, well positioned to reap the benefits of a free trade agreement with the European Union as an attractive gateway to the North American market.” —Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal

Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance
“A Canada-EU trade agreement is vital to expanding markets for Canadian agriculture and food products. Canada exports half of its agri-food production. It is critical that we continue to identify new export opportunities for our high-quality products.”—Kathleen Sullivan, Executive Director, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance

Canada Europe Roundtable for Business
“The CETA negotiations come at a critical time against the backdrop of a fragile global economic recovery, when it is imperative for Canadian companies to diversify and intensify their trade and investment with major global markets. To remain competitive, innovate and prosper, the businesses that make our economy thrive know they must pursue overseas commercial and investment opportunities with new ambition. The European Union represents a huge wealth of such opportunities. An ambitious CETA will expand market access for Canadian resources, agricultural products, manufactured goods and services, enhance two-way investment, and better plug Canada into transatlantic and global value chains.” —Roy MacLaren, Canadian Chairman, Canada Europe Roundtable for Business 

I.E. Canada
“I.E.Canada strongly believes that the liberalization of trade in general has significant benefits to the Canadian economy. As an ambitious and far-reaching trade agreement, CETA has the potential to provide new export markets for Canadian businesses, offer competitive advantages to Canadian companies and increase employment opportunities for Canadians both in Canada and abroad. ” —Joy Nott, President & CEO, I.E. Canada  

Clearwater
“A trade agreement with the European Union would give businesses on the East Coast a level playing field on which to expand, compete and invest for growth and to benefit workers, […] We welcome the government’s efforts to strengthen the transatlantic ties that make our economies stronger.” —Ian Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Clearwater

Economic Development and Innovation
“Our priority here is job creation. Our priority is growing our economy. We’re not going to be able to do that if we don’t increase our exports, and so we commend Minister Fast for his efforts to reach out to the rest of the world and expand those opportunities for Ontario and the rest of the provinces to increase our employment and increase our economic opportunities.” —Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Innovation

Alliance Grain Traders Inc.
“A trade agreement with the EU represents an opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses to increase growth and create jobs by diversifying their exports.” —Murad Al-Katib, Chairman of the Minister of International Trade’s Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Advisory Board, and President and CEO of Alliance Grain Traders Inc.

Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada - West
“A trade agreement with the European Union will give Canadian businesses a competitive advantage.” —Celso Boscariol, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada - West

Cavendish Farms
“A new agreement with European Union countries would represent significant opportunities for exporters in Atlantic Canada to develop new markets.” —Robert Irving, President of Cavendish Farms

Greater Halifax Partnership
"As the increased trade flow occurs both ways, a lot of that movement will come through the Port of Halifax. Some of it may indeed be moving through the airport, through the cargo aspects, and that kind of thing […] And we know every ship that comes through the harbour creates four full-time jobs per year. Fisheries also stand to benefit because of reductions in tariffs and the ability to move more products at a better price into Europe." —Fred Morley, Executive Vice President & Chief Economist, Greater Halifax Partnership

• The European Union, with its 27 member states and a population of over 500 million, is Canada’s second-largest merchandise export market (after the U.S.).

• According to European statistics, Canada is the EU's third-largest source of foreign direct investment stocks (2010).

• At the end of 2011, the stock of Canadian direct investment in the EU totalled more than $172.5 billion.

• In 2011, Canadian merchandise exports to the EU increased by 16.1 per cent. Two-way trade in merchandise reached $92.1 billion, up from $82.4 billion in 2010.

• Canada’s top merchandise exports to the EU in 2011 were precious stones and metals, machinery and equipment, mineral fuels and oils, mineral ores and aerospace products.

• Canada’s top merchandise imports from the EU in 2011 were machinery and equipment, mineral fuels and oils, pharmaceutical products, vehicles and vehicle parts and electrical and electronic machinery and equipment.

• Taken as a whole, the EU is Canada's second-largest investor (after the U.S.), representing over 26 per cent of the stock of foreign direct investment in Canada at the end of 2011.