Peter Van Loan in Estonia

Peter Van Loan, the Minister of International Trade, is in Europe from July 3 to 20. He is visiting Russia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia to promote Canada’s competitive advantages and highlight progress toward a Canada-European Union comprehensive economic and trade agreement.

What sort of impact will the EU-Canada deal have on Canada?

Van Loan: Canada is the first developed country with which the EU is negotiating a free trade deal. The free trade pact will offer Canada a market with a population of 500 million that includes 27 countries with an economic output of over $16 trillion. from Eesti Elu

"The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is projected to boost two-way trade and investment between Canada and the EU, Canada's second-largest trading partner, by up to 20 per cent, adding $12 billion a year to Canada's wealth by 2014.

The proposed deal, which would be the first ever between developed countries that is to involve major investment and regulatory components as well as tariffs, is being billed by proponents as a mechanism to improve competitiveness and help governments save tax dollars on major infrastructure and transportation projects." from Global Montreal

Peter Van Loan was first elected in June of 2004, as the Member of Parliament for the new riding of York-Simcoe and was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe on January 23, 2006. This riding also encompasses Jõekääru Summer Camp and is the home of JK Jazz. PVL, as he is known, also has Estonian roots on his mother's side and is related to the SL Õhtuleht writer Jaan Väljaots.

On the weekend he and his family relaxed at the farm of President Toomas Hendrik Ilves in Ärma, where his son took his first steps. Story here. and photo from Evelin Ilves' Facebook page.

On July 12, he announced "that the Canada-Estonia Youth Mobility Agreement will take effect on August 1, 2010. The agreement will help young adults between the ages 18 and 35 from Canada and Estonia to travel and gain valuable work experience in each other’s country for up to one year. " See Eesti Elu article.