Finance Minister Jim Flaherty speaks at a news conference in Ottawa Wednesday, August 15, 2002 in advance of his annual summer policy retreat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
August 15, 2012 - 11:25 AM
OTTAWA - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty kicks off his annual summer policy retreat today with business owners, academics and other experts.
He says the focus of the talks will be on the challenges and opportunities facing the economy, and actions governments and the private sector can take to strengthen the country.
The summer meeting comes as Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Ottawa.
Canada is trying to ink a free-trade deal with Europe by the end of the year, and the two leaders are expected to discuss the negotiations during Merkel's two-day visit.
Flaherty says there's benefit to both the European Union and to Canada to get a free-trade deal done.
He once again weighed in on the continent's debt crisis, saying Europe is wealthy and has the resources to solve the problem by itself.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012