Selling Canada's Economic Advantage at the
Olympics
Innisfil Scope
February 16,
2010
by Peter Van Loan, MP, York-Simcoe
In my new role as Canada's International
Trade Minister, I received a great early
assignment: serving as Canada's top salesman
to many of the global business leaders who
have headed to Canada's Olympics.
This assignment comes quick on the heels of
the recent deal I signed with the Obama
Administration to exempt Canadian companies
from the Buy America provisions of the
stimulus program. That deal let's Canadians
bid on US infrastructure contracts - meaning
more jobs for Canadians.
Taken together, it makes for a great start
to the new job.
The Olympics have attracted hundreds of
people who lead major businesses around the
world. With their attention focused on
Canada, we can tell a great story - why
Canada is a great place to invest and create
jobs.
We have a great story to tell. Canada is
projected to have the strongest economic
growth of the major countries according to
the International Monetary Fund and the
Economist Intelligence unit.
We have the worlds strongest banking system
- the only major country with no bank
failures or bailouts.
Canada has the lowest debt (compared with
the size of our economy) of any G-7 country.
We have the lowest taxes on new job-creating
businesses of any major country.
Canada has a highly skilled workforce, a
solid legal system and a high quality of
life.
With all these positive sales features,
Canada looks very promising to investors,
nervous about the economies of other
countries. In fact, Canada almost sells
itself!
In addition, the Olympics brings Presidents,
Prime Minister's and Economic Ministers from
around the world to Vancouver. This has
given me the opportunity to meet with many
counterparts to advance trade negotiations.
And the Olympics? I did buy tickets for
several events for my family. And before the
Games are over, I hope to take in a few
events.
But with so many business leader visitors in
town, the sales job takes priority. We are
coming out of the global economic downturn
stronger than the competition. In the year
of the Olympics, we have a great chance to
promote Canada and attract job-creating
investment and trade opportunities. It's my
job to make sure Canada goes for the gold -
in every way!
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