Close X
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
ADVT 
National

Indo-Pacific strategy 'good news' for farmers

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Nov, 2022 10:59 AM
  • Indo-Pacific strategy 'good news' for farmers

OTTAWA - Agriculture commodity groups are applauding the Liberal government’s long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy and hoping it will lead to more, and better, free trade deals.

The strategy, announced Sunday in Vancouver, includes commitments to increase military spending and build closer ties with countries such as India.

Included in the $2.3-billion plan is a promise to earmark $244.1 million for improving trade between Canada and countries in the region.

While no specific targets or benchmarks are included in the strategy, and questions remain over how effectively the dollars will be spent, the heightened focus on the region is being celebrated by agriculture groups in Canada.

Todd Lewis, a Saskatchewan-based farmer and a vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, says it is "good news for Canadian agriculture."

"It is another signal that the government of Canada is serious about trying to establish both trade deals as well as trade relationships," he said. "It is something that we hope will grow and continue to be successful."

Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy seeks new trading relationships, as well as the expansion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, by adding new members.

The pact, which already includes heavyweights such as Australia, Japan and Mexico, entered into force four years ago. The United Kingdom, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan and China have applied for membership.

Leif Carlson, director of market intelligence and trade policy for Cereals Canada, said the Indo-Pacific strategy should be viewed through a long-term lens as a way to deepen those trade relationships.

"I hope that the Indo-Pacific strategy is going to be complementary to the CPTPP," he said.

Some agricultural producers say the deal has not lived up to expectations and its implementation has been slow.

"Some of these trade deals aren't maybe what they thought they would be, or what we hoped they would be, and a little bit slow getting off the ground," said Lewis.

Jim Everson, president of the Canola Council of Canada, said he hopes the strategy "builds on the CPTPP" and adds momentum to a prospective deal with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as ASEAN.

Canada has been trying to strike a trade deal with ASEAN, a bloc of 10 countries in Southeast Asia, since 2017.

After a public consultation on a potential deal in 2018, the two parties agreed to proceed with negotiations in 2021, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing funding to help ASEAN nations take part in trade-deal negotiations at a summit held by the bloc earlier this month.

Canada has also moved toward negotiating more bilateral deals in the region, including with India and ASEAN member Indonesia.

MORE National ARTICLES

Police blame arson for Vancouver church fire

Police blame arson for Vancouver church fire
The fire destroyed a two-storey building that housed the church and a convenience store and threatened the seven-storey Maple Hotel, temporarily displacing vulnerable residents. Const. Tania Visintin says investigators believe each of the three knew of the arson and had time to either put out the fire or call for help.  

Police blame arson for Vancouver church fire

New air passenger protection rules take effect

New air passenger protection rules take effect
Starting Thursday, airlines will be required to issue a full refund for cancellations and delays if passengers are not placed on a new flight within 48 hours, including for reasons outside of the airline's control. Previously, the passenger rights regime only required refunds for flight disruptions that were within the airline's control, which excluded situations ranging from weather to war.  

New air passenger protection rules take effect

Liberals to temporarily hike GST rebates

Liberals to temporarily hike GST rebates
Two federal sources familiar with the plan say it will look to double some GST payments for six months, include help for Canadians struggling to pay their rent and launch the first step of a national dental-care program.  

Liberals to temporarily hike GST rebates

Business as usual in Canada after Queen's death

Business as usual in Canada after Queen's death
The succession from the Queen to her eldest son Charles is automatic, without any disruption to governing bodies that sit in her name or to legislation, oaths and other legal documents issued in her name. "The phrase 'The Queen is dead, long live the King!' applies here and in the U.K."

Business as usual in Canada after Queen's death

Surrey RCMP seek to locate missing man Rohit Verma

Surrey RCMP seek to locate missing man Rohit Verma
Rohit has not gone missing before and all attempts to contact him has been negative. Police and family are concerned for his well-being. Rohit is described as South Asian male, 5’7” tall, 141 lbs, with a black beard and balding black hair.  His last known clothing description is unknown.

Surrey RCMP seek to locate missing man Rohit Verma

Prince Charles has long history with Canada, but must step into the spotlight as King

Prince Charles has long history with Canada, but must step into the spotlight as King
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II announced Thursday, Charles is set to take over as Canada's new head of state. Most recently, Charles and his wife, Camilla, travelled to Canada in May as part of the celebrations of the Queen's platinum jubilee. The three-day tour was focused on climate change, literacy and reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples.

Prince Charles has long history with Canada, but must step into the spotlight as King