The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is welcoming the introduction of Bill C-79, the bill to implement the Comprehensive and Progressive agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The group is calling on all Parliamentarians to remain in Ottawa to pass the bill before the summer break.

“We’ve got unprecedented instability in North America and a chance to have a first mover advantage in Asia - now is the perfect time to lock down our access to growing Asia-Pacific markets,” says CAFTA President Brian Innes. “We urge Parliamentarians in both Houses to pass CPTPP legislation before the summer break.”

Mexico has already ratified the deal, Japan is expected to do so within days and others including Australia, Chile, New Zealand and Vietnam are likely to soon follow suit. Canada is the second largest economy at the table after Japan and has the opportunity to play a leadership role. The CPTPP will come into effect once six of the 11 countries ratify the deal.

The other countries include Brunei, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and Singapore.

“The first-mover advantage is real in trade deals and Canada cannot afford to be left behind our competitors,” says Innes. “Thousands of jobs and billions in agri-food exports are at stake. It’s imperative that our Parliamentarians come together and act swiftly to get this done.”

According to research commissioned by CAFTA, this trade pact could increase Canadian agri-food exports by nearly $2 billion annually for a variety of agriculture products including beef, pork, canola, wheat, barley and oats, pulses, soybeans, sugar and processed foods.

“The CPTPP is critical to maintaining Canada’s competitiveness with other oilseed exporters,” says Jack Froese, President of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). “The previous form of the agreement – the Trans-Pacific Partnership – has already been carefully studied, so we ask Parliamentarians to direct their attention to passing this Bill promptly.”

Under the CPTPP, Japan and Vietnam will eliminate their tariffs on canola oil and meal. According to a 2016 study completed by the Canola Council of Canada, once tariffs are removed, canola exports could increase by $780 million per year or roughly one million tonnes of additional canola oil and meal exports.