Pursue trade abroad, Mulroney urges
OTTAWA Canadians have matured into a much more confident people, thanks to the free-trade deal with the United States, and must now show the “courage” to expand trade throughout the world, says former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
“This is now a Canada that is confident and ambitious, not just in relationship to the United States, but in relationship to the world,” Mulroney said in a speech Wednesday night at a tribute for him in Toronto.
He urged the country’s business community and government to work together to ensure Canada — now a “distinctly minor player” in fast-growing emerging markets — picks up its trading game in countries such as China, Brazil, India, Mexico and Indonesia.
“We cannot sit back and wait for opportunity to knock at our door. We have to work for it, engaging a unique and coherent partnership between government and the private sector,” he said.
He acknowledged that, although the “challenges” of expanding trade and investment are daunting, the opportunity to ensure the future prosperity of Canadian citizens is “enormous.”
“Of course there will be risks. There is no success in business or in government or in life that is entirely risk-free.”
The address came on the anniversary of when Canadian and American negotiators reached a free-trade agreement on Oct. 3, 1987, just minutes before a midnight deadline.
“The policies that created this stance have influenced the character of Canadians themselves,” he said of the trade deal.