Team Westmount big players in trade game
MP Lucienne Robillard
Since this is my first column of the new year, I would like to begin by saying that I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.
With vacations over, the daily routines have once again started. Although Parliament does not reconvene for another month, the Liberal government is back at work, most notably with the 1997 Team Canada mission, which this year has gone to South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand.
This year's trade mission, which got under way on Jan. 8 and which will end on the twentieth of this month, is not a solo venture by the federal government.
One realization which has come from these trade missions is how successful projects can be when federal and provincial governments work together. There is little question that Canadians have benefited, namely through an increase in exports, as well as through job creation.
This year's mission focuses on eight important sectors; agri-food, financial services, education and culture, environment, transportation, energy and natural resources, telecommunications and information technology, as well as building products and construction. A number of talks are also being held on trade and investment with many of the region's political and business leaders.
The members of the Canadian business delegation are expected to complete and sign numerous contracts and agreements. For the first time as well, young entrepreneurs who are active in business and seeking new opportunities in Asia have joined Team Canada.
I wish to also point out that the Saint Henri/Westmount riding will be well represented, as a number of our companies are active participants in Team Canada. Among them are Alcan Aluminum Ltd., Bombardier Inc., Brownstein, Brownstein and Associates, both Concordia and McGill Universities, Le Groupe Novatech Inc., LanSer Company, The National Bank of Canada, Power Corporation of Canada, Raymond Chabot Martin Pare and SNC-Lavalin Environment Inc., just to name a few.
Experience has shown us that these trade missions are successful. As most of you may be aware, Prime Minister Chretien has led the two previous Team Canada trade missions: to China in November 1994 and to India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia in January 1996, as well as a trade mission to Chile, Argentina and Brazil in January 1995.
These have led to an estimated $20 billion in business deals and have helped Canadian businesses gain access to new markets.
The potential of success for this years's trade mission with South Korea, the Philippines and Thailand is noteworthy. Two-way-trade of goods and services between Canada and the three countries combined totalled $8.3 billion in 1995, and the potential for more business with each country is considerable, since they are among the fastest growing economics in the Asia-Pacific region.
N.B.: By now, most of you have received my 1997 calendar. Unfortunately, a production error occurred beyond our control. The names of two local photographers were reversed, and I wish to correct this error. The name of the photographer for the month of January should read Mrs. Ramona Randall, and the picture for the month of June should be attributed to Mrs. Joan Graham. I wish to convey my apologies to both artists, and thank them again for allowing me to use their photographs in my calendar.
