The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, today issued the following statement regarding the signing of the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement:
"Canada welcomes the signing of the new Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement, which will support good, middle-class jobs in Canada and provide stability for businesses of all sizes.
"At a time of great uncertainty amid COVID-19, this continuity and predictability is crucial for all Canadians.
"This transition agreement preserves the main benefits of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, including the elimination of tariffs on 98% of products exported to the United Kingdom.
"Canada and the United Kingdom will now move forward with their respective domestic procedures toward the ratification and implementation of the new trade agreement.
"Our government looks forward to introducing and debating legislation in the House of Commons as soon as possible so that we can deliver the continuity Canadians need.
"We also look forward to launching negotiations of a new comprehensive free trade agreement with the United Kingdom in the near future, with a focus on supporting small businesses, women, the environment and digital trade."
