OTTAWA - Local Member of Parliament Ron Cannan has been elected as Co-Chair of the Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group, a parliamentary organization which aims to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and to promote the expansion of relations between Canada and Taiwan. 

Canadian membership in the Group is open to all members of the Canadian Senate and House of Commons.  Cannan’s co-chair is Senator Pierrette Ringuette

Mr. Cannan has had an interest in Canada-Taiwan relations since becoming a Member of Parliament in 2006.  Last year, Mr. Cannan and 7 of his parliamentary colleagues visited Taipei, Taiwan meeting with President Ma Ying-Jeou and his officials to discuss trade issues including the importation of Canadian beef, new markets for other agricultural products like Okanagan wine and promotion of our tourism sector.

Last September, Taiwan Trade representative Dr. David Ta Wei Lee in turn paid a visit to the Okanagan.

“Plainly stated, this relationship means potential business resulting in more jobs and investment in the local and national economy,” said Mr. Cannan. 

Cannan says such relationships enhance efforts by the Government which continues to breathe new life into Canada’s trade agenda. 

“Canada is an exporting nation and robust trade has always been vital to the health of our industries and our economic sustainability,” he said.  “In the past five years alone, Canada has opened doors to Canadian business by concluding new free trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, Jordan, Panama and the European Free Trade Association and launching economic partnerships with two of the world's largest economies, the European Union and India.”

Cannan said the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Group will focus on maintaining the very good relationship established between the two countries and thanked outgoing Chair, Member of Parliament, the Honourable Jim Abbott who, he said, did an exemplary job in leading the Group and strengthening Canada’s relationship with Taiwan.