July 6, 2021

MP AITCHISON TO HEAD UP CONSERVATIVE TRADE BLOC STUDY GROUPS

PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — An international political study group will have local representation and leadership from the riding.

Member of Parliament Scott Aitchison has been named to two working groups of the proposed CANZUK trade bloc, a conservative-led coalition of politicians from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

The movement championed in Canada by Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole calls for an additional alliance in the wake of Brexit, the Chinese threat and the return in the U.S. of Joe Biden’s “liberal” international order presidency.

The partnership proposes more centres of global power beyond unilateral attempts at domination by Washington, Beijing or Moscow.

Aitchison’s release says that during the pandemic caucus or cross-party parliamentary groups have been established in the four Commonwealth countries lobbying for increased multilateral cooperation in foreign affairs, national security and trade, said a release from Aitchison yesterday.

As these groups evolve, it says five working groups were created to “coordinate discussions surrounding trade, freer immigration, defence, pooled procurement and foreign policy coordination.”

Aitchison, a first-time Canadian Conservative MP, has been named the lead on the freer movement of citizens and trade study groups.

“I am looking forward to further building on relationships with my colleagues, not only in Canada, but also Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom,” he said.

“It is particularly exciting to head up two of the working groups.”