CME Applauds Premiers' Call for More Open Procurement Markets

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 7, 2009) - Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) welcomes statements made by Canada's Premiers at the Council of the Federation meetings that they are fully supportive of launching negotiations with the US to ensure more open access to federal, provincial, territorial, state and local procurement markets in both countries. "We are extremely pleased with the leadership, determination and unanimous support demonstrated by Canada's provincial and territorial leaders in their commitment to work with the federal government to negotiate more open procurement markets in Canada and the US," says CME President & CEO Jayson Myers. "We need to launch negotiations with the US as quickly as possible to end Buy American restrictions that are now locking Canadian exporters out of US markets and ensure more open and transparent access to procurement markets in our two countries." "International Trade Minister Stockwell Day has taken the lead in getting the support of the premiers. I expect that he will want to table a negotiating proposal with the US government as soon as possible. And, now with provincial and territorial support we know that the Canadian government is in a strong position to move forward. "Prime Minister Harper will meet with President Obama this weekend. He can now say that Canadian governments are united in support of negotiations. This is a major step toward ensuring a solution to the Buy American problem - and a momentous occasion for all levels of government to be in agreement on this very important issue. "I think the premiers' determination to overcome protectionism sends a very positive message to Americans and Canadians alike - that jobs and economic opportunities depend on keeping markets open and that we can ill afford to restrict those opportunities in these very critical economic times." Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada's leading trade and industry association and the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada. The association represents more than 10,000 leading companies nationwide. More than 85% of CME's members are small and medium-sized enterprises. As Canada's leading business network, CME, through various initiatives including icosmo.ca and the establishment of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition, touches more than 100,000 companies from coast to coast, engaged in manufacturing, global business and service-related industries. CME's membership network accounts for an estimated 82% of total manufacturing production and 90% of Canada's exports.