International Trade committee  The most visible part that we see is jobs that are attached to goods handling around the ports. They're the most visible part, but you're absolutely right. We've recently become aware of cases where there are a number of companies, which are already Asian companies, that want to export to Asia.

International Trade committee  We don't have any members in that space, but if you look at the growth of tourism in the Okanagan Valley, it speaks for itself. It has really become a destination for active tourists, but also for that combined with wine tourism, of which we see evidence. There are direct flights daily from Los Angeles to Kelowna, both summer and winter now.

International Trade committee  It is 98% of the businesses in British Columbia—

International Trade committee  —and our membership is roughly the same.

International Trade committee  Part of my message today is to think forward. Should the Government of Canada choose to ratify the trade agreement, think forward about how to maximize that. To be blunt, I don't think large businesses need much assistance. But there is certainly an opportunity in rural Canada to encourage small businesses that are export viable to bridge the gaps that are there because they just don't know what they don't know about exporting.

International Trade committee  We use the same definition as the Province of British Columbia, and that would be 50 employees or less.

International Trade committee  Yes. Understood.

International Trade committee  To answer your first question, what really happens when you look at Export Development Canada or other programs that are delivered is you bump into a capacity problem with small businesses, whether that's at 10, 25, or 30; it's dependent on the industry. But you're right, there's often a privately held business with one or two owners, and they're chief cook, and bottle-washer.

International Trade committee  I can confirm that this is the first point of contact.

International Trade committee  I say this with some first-hand knowledge. In my comments I made a reference to our processing trade documents. We can actually see who's selling and who's buying. We talk to our customers, as any organization should and could, and we ask them about their view of the role. I bring to your attention three countries in particular: Japan, Vietnam, and Malaysia, specifically for forestry products.

International Trade committee  Absolutely. We do some work with a company on Vancouver Island that exports to an Asian country. I won't say which one because it's proprietary knowledge. They have taken their business from about a $50-million-a-year business to $100 million a year of export. They're providing unionized, good-paying jobs in Vancouver Island.

International Trade committee  From an economic standpoint, the risk is not planning it. The Province of British Columbia has estimated that the economic impact would be a reduction of $200 million in economic activity. The benefit we enjoy in British Columbia is that we have the most diverse economy in Canada.

International Trade committee  It's small and medium-sized businesses. That's correct.

International Trade committee  The Province of British Columbia has estimated that the positive economic impact of TPP will result in approximately $300 million in increased economic activity and 2,500 corresponding jobs.

International Trade committee  I am happy to be here today to represent our board of directors and over 5,000 members from across the Greater Vancouver region. For those of you who don't know, on the makeup of the business community in British Columbia, 98% of all businesses in British Columbia are small businesses.