TRADE: NRCan minister gives PDAC inside look at CETA

TORONTO – Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver took time on Nov. 12 to address the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's board, pointing up the many benefits of the Canada-EU Trade Agreement for the mining industry.

TORONTO – Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver took time on Nov. 12 to address the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's board, pointing up the many benefits of the Canada-EU Trade Agreement for the mining industry.

Here is the relevant portion of his presentation:

As you know, Prime Minister Harper and European Commission President Barroso recently announced an agreement-in-principle on a free trade agreement with the European Union.

The Canada–EU Trade Agreement is by far Canada’s most ambitious trade initiative ever. The EU is the largest economy in the world — with its 27 member states, 500 million consumers and annual economic activity of $17 trillion. The agreement will open new markets to Canadian exporters throughout Europe and generate significant benefits, jobs and opportunities for all Canadians.

It has been estimated that benefits from this trade agreement will be equivalent to increasing the average Canadian household’s annual income by $1,000 — or adding almost 80,000 new jobs to Canada’s economy.

Workers in every region of the country will feel the advantages – including in Canada’s exploration and mining industries. When it takes effect, the agreement will eliminate substantially all EU tariffs on metals and mineral products. For example, in the case of iron and steel, we anticipate tariff elimination as high as seven percent.

The value of these goods is, of course, enormous. Canada exported over $20 billion worth of metals and mineral products to the EU annually between 2010 and 2012, led by precious gems and metals.

In addition to metals and mineral products, EU tariffs on mining technology products, such as surveying instruments, will all be eliminated immediately upon entry-into-force of the agreement.

The services provisions of the Canada-EU Trade Agreement will also benefit PDAC members, providing you with better access than that provided to any other competing company from other non-EU countries, including from other EU free trade agreement partners. These provisions will allow for secure and predictable access in areas of Canadian expertise such as research and development, technical testing and analysis, and environmental services.

Substantive provisions on licensing and qualification requirements and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications will make it easier for businesspeople in the mining sector to work in the EU and Canada. This means increased transparency and predictability for professionals such as engineers, site investigators and scientific and technical consultants.

Finally, Canadian investors in the European mining sector will benefit from stronger EU market access commitments. The agreement will bolster two-way investment by establishing a predictable, rules-based investment climate and providing a high standard of protection for investors and their investments in the mining sector, including commitments on non-discrimination, protection against expropriation without prompt and adequate compensation, and access to investor-to-state dispute settlement.

As you know, mineral exploration, production and processing takes place in every region of Canada. The EU trade agreement will benefit both urban and rural workers from coast to coast, including Aboriginal and northern communities.

Ladies and gentlemen, our government continues to be focused on helping create more jobs and prosperity with pro-trade measures. By actively pursuing new trade and investment opportunities like this one with the EU, we are providing Canadian workers and businesses with preferred access to the largest, most dynamic and fastest growing economies and regions of the world.

We know that Canadian companies can compete and can win in global markets. And when our companies succeed abroad, jobs and growth are created here at home.

So Canadians can rest assured that our government will continue to work hard on your behalf to put the best Canada has to offer front and centre on the global stage.

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