Thank you very much.
It's nice to be back at a parliamentary committee. I've done a few of these over the years.
Rob, you and I spent some time on committees together.
It's a pleasure to be back with everybody and to welcome you to Halifax, along with Mr. Chisholm, who is also from here. I hope you're having fun while you're here.
I want to thank you for the opportunity to share our perspective on the Canada-European Union comprehensive economic and trade agreement, CETA. I also want to let you know that I do have Mr. Fred Morley with me. Fred Morley is the executive VP and chief economist of the Greater Halifax Partnership. If you hear a “GHP” in my presentation, that's the Greater Halifax Partnership.
I want to emphasize that municipalities have appreciated the opportunity to provide their views through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the FCM, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada working group, and to be kept informed of negotiations by our federal and provincial counterparts. I think the FCM has appeared before this committee on a number of occasions in the last few years, specifically related to this deal.
We believe that CETA holds real potential for stronger economic partnerships between municipalities, businesses, and other levels of government, and among countries. In recognition of its impact on communities across Canada, the FCM has developed seven negotiating principles on agreements that impact Canadian municipalities, those being: procurement thresholds, which are of particular importance; streamlined administration; progressive enforcement; Canadian content for strategic industries or sensitive projects; dispute resolution; consultation and communications; and reciprocity.
Until the full text of CETA is finalized, it's not possible to assess the entire impact of the agreement, including its impact on municipal operations, but we appreciate the dedication the federal government has shown in respecting the FCM's seven negotiating principles.
For the Halifax Regional Municipality, CETA will have impacts in two key areas: economic opportunity and municipal procurement. Those are the things I'd like to address with you today.
Municipalities are increasingly being recognized for the strong role that we play in economic development, and I can tell you that here in the HRM we have made economic development a priority. I believe that CETA will help us grow our economy by opening up new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, individuals, universities, and other organizations.
As many of you know, Halifax is a city that is built on trade. That is our tradition, from the early merchant mariner days to the present, and much of that trade was legal. Some of you will know what I'm talking about.