24 February 2009

Charest calls on U.S. to expand free trade

The following is excerpted from the February 23rd edition of "CTV.ca".

Quebec Premier Jean Charest is calling on the United States to support and even expand free trade.

In a speech before some 150 Ivy Leaguers at Boston's Harvard University on Monday, Charest suggested the North American Free Trade Agreement be re-opened and expanded across the Americas.

His comments come as talk of protectionism surges south of the border...

"I think there is an opportunity given the visit of Barack Obama with Prime Minister Harper to revisit NAFTA," Charest said.

"Not for the purpose of closing it down but enhancing, for example, with a continental agreement on energy. That would be a good place to start."

He suggested it's time to "steal a page from the European book" and extend free trade from the "Arctic to the Subarctic."

Charest also outlined his desire for free trade between Canada and Europe and expressed hope that the U.S. would support such an initiative.

He further urged America to consider a continental accord on energy and the environment.

Quebec is seeking to sell clean, renewable energy to the States, he said in reference to the province's plans for a massive hydro-electric project. An agreement that included Canada, Mexico and the United States would guarantee access to the market, he said...