Manitoba’s new Tory government is looking for the unanimous legislature’s support in its bid to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The province’s Progressive Conservative government said Tuesday the agreement would open and expand trade opportunities for Manitoba in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Canada’s ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership is critical not only for the agreement’s ability to expand opportunities to trade outside our borders, but also for the necessary protection of thousands of Manitoba jobs,” said Manitoba’s Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen.
“Inclusion in the TPP would mean an increase of approximately $250 million per year in sales for Manitoba exporters, while exclusion would close our province’s access to critical trade markets, putting Manitoba jobs at risk.”
The TPP opens up a market of 800 million people with a combined domestic product of $28 trillion. That’s about 40 per cent of the world’s economy.
According to the province, Manitoba exported an average of $9.3 billion annually between 2012 and 2014 to TPP countries.
The PCs are seeking full support in joining the partnership from all parties in the Legislature.
“A strong and united Manitoba legislative assembly would send a powerful signal that our province is ready, willing and able to trade with the world,” added Cullen. “We call on every member to stand up today and to vote in favour of protecting Manitoba jobs.”
