Canada, Chile forge new deal on immigration, beef exports: Harper

OTTAWA – Stephen Harper says Canadian beef exporters will have full access to the market in Chile as part of a new partnership between the two countries.

The prime minister is playing host in Ottawa to Chilean president Sebastian Pinera.

Harper says access to the Chilean beef market is worth as much as $5 million a year to Canadian exporters, a figure that has the potential to double over the next three years.

The strategic partnership also includes agreements on education, energy, mining and science and technology.

Harper says Chile has also been added to Canada’s list of designated countries of origin, a tool used to streamline refugee applications.

The government says the list is designed to help legitimate claims get through the refugee process faster while cutting down on false claims.