All media requests should be directed to Émilie Potvin, Director, Public Affairs, epotvin@chamber.ca, (613) 238-4000 ext. 231 or
(613) 797-1860.

Ottawa, November 24 - In its latest report, Canada-Japan: Revitalizing the economic Partnership, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce highlights the benefits of enhanced Canada-Japan relations and what a successful Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) should include.

Japan is a highly developed, sophisticated market and represents a major opportunity for Canadian produced goods and services. It remains the world’s third largest economy and Asia’s second, just behind China. Canada and Japan are important trade partners, but the value of two-way trade and investment has not moved much in a decade. There are significant barriers to real market access that hamper Canadian companies and limit the Canada-Japan partnership. An EPA, if it is of the right quality, would dismantle those barriers and revitalize commercial ties.

“Canada and Japan have largely complementary economies. Greater effective market access through an Economic Partnership Agreement could yield economic gains for both countries,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Ottawa, November 8 - Statement by the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in reaction to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“The Finance Minister reported today on the state of the Canadian economy. Few Canadians will be surprised that the federal government is now anticipating that the books could be balanced two years later than expected. Having just returned from the B20 in Cannes, I can attest that we are seeing an economic slowdown throughout the world. However, we are still anticipating positive growth in Canada. We are looking at a slowdown but not at a recession.

Cannes, France, November 2 - Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, is heading the Canadian delegation to the G20 Business Summit (B20) in Cannes, France between November 2 and November 4.

The Cannes summit represents a critical time in the work of G20 leaders to take urgent and decisive action to rein in debt, restore business confidence and refocus attention on their policy commitment to deliver strong, sustainable and balanced growth. Failure to do so risks plunging the world back into financial crisis and global recession.

Perrin Beatty stated: “We cannot afford any more missed opportunities. Yes, some actions have been taken, but we need to do more. Leaders need a clear collective plan to work together to take necessary measures to prevent default of payment, to rein in debt, restore business confidence.”

Speaking notes for Tina Kremmidas, Chief Economist, as presented to the House of Commons, Standing Committee on Finance on Oct. 31, 2011 in Toronto.

Click here to download the full text.