Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise this afternoon to join my colleagues in the House to speak on this very important issue. It is a matter of great importance not only to the constituents of Kelowna—Lake Country but to all Canadians and Canadian businesses, specifically those that are looking to do business or are doing business in China at the present time.
Our government understands the importance of trade to our economy. It represents one in five jobs in Canada and accounts for nearly 65% of our country's annual income. That is why our government is moving forward with the most ambitious pro-trade plan in our country's history. It is a plan that is opening new markets for Canadian exporters, including in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. We are committed to expanding commercial relations in the region and deepening and strengthening ties that will create jobs and prosperity for hard-working Canadians here at home from coast to coast to coast.
The opportunities for Canadian exporters in the Asia-Pacific are tremendous. Countries in the region include those with economic growth rates at an impressive two to three times the global average. In the past few years, our government has been aggressively expanding commercial relations with the Asia-Pacific region to create jobs and economic benefits here at home. Our efforts are yielding results. We are maximizing opportunities for entrepreneurs through innovative trade, investment, air transport, and science and technology agreements.
I would like to take a few moments to review a few of the steps our government has taken to create new opportunities for Canadian exporters in these fast-growing and dynamic markets.
In November of last year, the chair and members of the international trade committee visited Japan. We are advancing free trade negotiations with Japan. It is the world's third-largest economy. We are commencing exploratory discussions towards trade negotiations with Thailand and are adopting the joint declaration on trade and investment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to increase Canada's trade and investment ties in the region. We are signing air transport agreements with six Asia-Pacific countries and are joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
If anybody has any doubts, they can check the schedule of the Minister of International Trade. The gentleman is incredibly busy travelling the world and opening doors to help Canadian markets expand and create opportunities for all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast. It is a very exciting time.
These efforts, along with establishing numerous additional trade offices in the region, are generating real results. Our efforts to deepen Canada's trade and investment ties in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region are further bolstered by our government's strategic investments and partnership in building the Asia-Pacific gateway. These investments are positioning Canada as the gateway of choice between Asia and North America. In fact, Canada's west coast ports are more than two days closer to Asian markets than any other ports in North America.
For those in the House who are not aware, Prince Rupert is booming. I was there several years back when the cranes were installed. It was an incredibly exciting day for the community of Prince Rupert. It has been growing by leaps and bounds.
In November, I participated in a pilot project announcement with the Minister of International Trade and the United States government and border security on both sides. President Obama and Prime Minister Harper are working on the regulatory reform. To help—