James Skinner
James is the Founder & Chief Executive of
CANZUK International in Vancouver, Canada
Canadians are overwhelmingly in favour of freer movement being negotiated as part of the upcoming Canada-UK trade deal, according to recent polling.
Canada and the United Kingdom officially launched their negotiations for a comprehensive trade deal in March 2022. The deal – which follows agreements negotiated between the UK and counterparts in Australia and New Zealand – is expected to benefit both economies tremendously.
Canada exports $19.9 billion of goods to the United Kingdom while the UK exports $7.8 billion to Canada. Top exports include machinery, precious stones and metals, motor vehicles and parts, pharmaceutical products, and aircraft parts. The United Kingdom is also Canada’s second largest services trading partner, after the United States.
However, while trade, environmental protections and technological innovation have topped the list for negotiators, polling shows that mobility of citizens is overwhelmingly supported by the Canadian public.
Of 2,135 adults surveyed between September 1st and September 7th, 2022:
• 82% agreed that visas and work permits should become part of the ongoing trade agreement negotiations, with the intention of increasing visa access for UK and Canadian citizens;
• 85% agreed that pathways for spousal sponsorships should be improved between Canada and the United Kingdom, given the lengthy periods of time that families are separated because of visa processing timelines;
• 78% agreed that following the conclusion of the Canada-UK trade negotiations, efforts should be made by the Canadian government to expand reciprocal working rights between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The polling results reflect the continuous support from the Canadian public to expand reciprocal living and working rights within the CANZUK countries.
In April 2021, the government of Canada held public consultations to solicit views of Canadians on a Canada-United Kingdom trade agreement. Of the 42 submissions received by the government, 28 (including a comprehensive submission by CANZUK International) suggested that any bilateral free trade agreement should constitute a step towards a broader trade agreement between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, with free movement of people being cited as a key area of interest.
The full results of the September 2022 polling will be published in the coming days.
CANZUK International will continue to engage with delegations throughout the ongoing trade negotiations, and advocate for greater visa access to be included as part of the upcoming Canada-UK trade agreement.
[Heading Photo: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images]
Canada exports $19.9 billion of goods to the United Kingdom while the UK exports $7.8 billion to Canada. Top exports include machinery, precious stones and metals, motor vehicles and parts, pharmaceutical products, and aircraft parts. The United Kingdom is also Canada’s second largest services trading partner, after the United States.
However, while trade, environmental protections and technological innovation have topped the list for negotiators, polling shows that mobility of citizens is overwhelmingly supported by the Canadian public.
Of 2,135 adults surveyed between September 1st and September 7th, 2022:
• 82% agreed that visas and work permits should become part of the ongoing trade agreement negotiations, with the intention of increasing visa access for UK and Canadian citizens;
• 85% agreed that pathways for spousal sponsorships should be improved between Canada and the United Kingdom, given the lengthy periods of time that families are separated because of visa processing timelines;
• 78% agreed that following the conclusion of the Canada-UK trade negotiations, efforts should be made by the Canadian government to expand reciprocal working rights between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The polling results reflect the continuous support from the Canadian public to expand reciprocal living and working rights within the CANZUK countries.
In April 2021, the government of Canada held public consultations to solicit views of Canadians on a Canada-United Kingdom trade agreement. Of the 42 submissions received by the government, 28 (including a comprehensive submission by CANZUK International) suggested that any bilateral free trade agreement should constitute a step towards a broader trade agreement between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, with free movement of people being cited as a key area of interest.
The full results of the September 2022 polling will be published in the coming days.
CANZUK International will continue to engage with delegations throughout the ongoing trade negotiations, and advocate for greater visa access to be included as part of the upcoming Canada-UK trade agreement.
[Heading Photo: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images]
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