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Thank you, Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

Mon nom est Eric Girard,

je suis associé au cabinet d'avocat Faskin et c'est à titre de membre du conseil d'administration de l'institut CDA qu'il m'a fait plaisir de vous accueillir ici au ce matin.

Madame la présidente, nous sommes honorés de vous recevoir à l'occasion du sommet Canada Union européenne pour vous entendre sur l'avenir de ce partenariat.

On ne pouvait imaginer meilleur moment pour cette conversation.

Mais en partant, laissez-moi vous dire quelques mots sur l'institut CDA.

Depuis près de 70 ans, l'Institut CD a pour mission d'améliorer le niveau de vie des gens au Canada grâce à de meilleures politiques publiques.

Et produit des travaux de recherche indépendants, non partisan. Et révisé par des pairs.

Cette rigueur et sa réputation font de lui l'un des groupes d'influence les plus réputés au Canada.

Its influence is evident in the major debates that have shaped Canada.

In the 80s,

the Institute was at the heart of discussion on on tackling inflation and restoring sound public finances.

Even today, its work on taxation, pension and productivities continue to inform debate in Ottawa,

Quebec, and all of the provinces of Canada.

The Institute has always placed international economic relations at the heart of its work,

helping to shape the country's major trade decisions from free trade with the United States to agreement with the European Union which it recommended well before it was signed.

Our prosperity depends in large part on international trade. And therefore, on the strength of partnerships. And few partners are as natural.

As the European Union as we share values we share history, and we share complementary economies,

Thank you, we very much look forward to hearing from you shortly.

I would like to warmly thank McGill University, Max Bell Schools of Public Policy, our partner for this event,

as well as the entire institute team, and I'm also proud to acknowledge the support of my firm FASCA.

Without further ado, it's my pleasure to invite to the podium the president and CEO of the CD Howe Institute.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Jeremy Irons.