CME President & CEO Dennis Darby along with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and the Hon. Rona Ambrose hear from manufacturers at NAFTA roundtable

Toronto, October 16, 2017

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and CEO, Dennis Darby participated to a roundtable discussion on NAFTA with manufacturers along with Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and Wilson Center Global Fellow, the Hon. Rona Ambrose.

“We had a very productive conversation,” said Darby. “The Canadian government’s negotiations priorities are aligned with that of manufacturers. We are encouraged that Canadian officials continue to stand up for the manufacturing sector and skillfully ensure that no harm is done to businesses as a result of the re-negotiations.”

“NAFTA has been an engine of middle class job creation in Canada, the US, and Mexico. Since the beginning of negotiations, we’ve been clear about our NAFTA objectives – we want to strengthen and modernize this agreement.” said the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs. “I was very pleased to hear from many of Canada’s manufacturers today about their priorities — and I look forward to our continued work together in the weeks to come.”

The roundtable brought together some 40 manufacturers for a two-way dialogue. Border regulations and control, movement of labour and access to procurement contracts were identified as key priorities, in addition to an independent and effective dispute settlement mechanism.

“A redrawn NAFTA offers a platform to empower innovation as the driving force of manufacturing and economic growth,” stated Darby. “The break down of the negotiations would be a missed opportunity to modernize the agreement and create the conditions for decades of future growth.”

ABOUT CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS

Since 1871, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters has been helping manufacturers grow at home and, compete around the world. Our focus is to ensure manufacturers are recognized as engines for growth in the economy, with Canada acknowledged as both a global leader and innovator in advanced manufacturing and a global leader in exporting. CME is a member-driven association that directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies who account for an estimated 82 per cent of manufacturing output and 90 per cent of Canada’s exports.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Stefi Proulx

Director of Communications & Branding

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

(613) 292-6070

stefi.proulx@cme-mec.ca