Canadian businesses to benefit from China ties: MP

Businesses across Canada will benefit from a strengthened economic relationship with China, the world’s second-largest market, according to Mary Ng, member of the Canadian Parliament, who briefed journalists on Dec 1 in Markham.

“The prime minister’s trip is an excellent opportunity to explore increased economic ties between China and Canada and how that can create jobs and grow the middle class here at home,” said Ng. “This is great news for the business and academic community in Markham and across Canada.”

MP Shaun Chen also highlighted the significance of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit.

“As the world’s second-largest economy, China is a market with significant opportunities for growth,” said Chen. “The potential economic benefits of a stronger relationship between our two countries will help Canadian businesses, grow our middle class, create new jobs and increase our shared prosperity.”

The MPs will join Trudeau from Dec 3-7 as he meets with Chinese government and business leaders to build on the progress the two countries have made since the prime minister’s first official visit to China in September 2016.

As one of Canada’s most diverse cities and its high-tech capital, the city of Markham has developed a strong and successful relationship with China. Representatives from Markham’s business community and academic institutions also shared their goals of ensuring that the local community remains a beneficiary of strengthened economic ties and partnerships with China.

“Markham has benefited significantly from the large population base of Chinese business owners that call Markham home,” said Richard Cunningham, president of the Markham Board of Trade. “We welcome and applaud the opportunity for the Canadian government to continue to explore ways to increase opportunities for large multinational businesses, as well as to grow tourism, which will greatly benefit local small and medium businesses.”

“Huawei Canada supports the efforts to promote positive trade business partnerships between Canada and China,” said Steve Lu, president of Huawei Canada.

“We are proud of our Canadian footprint, the investments we are making to support Canada’s ICT ecosystem and the innovative technologies we are bringing to Canadian consumers and small businesses,” he said. “This is helping to create jobs and sustain Canada’s leadership in communications.”

Rhonda L. Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York University, which currently has 37 academic agreements with leading Chinese universities, said: “We believe strongly in the value of creating international partnerships with countries like China, which help to facilitate important research and scholarly collaborations and student and faculty exchanges.”

The prime minister is expected to promote a progressive trade agenda and tourism initiative that will create good, middle-class jobs and more opportunities for people in both countries.