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OTTAWA — Canada will be in the first group of countries to take advantage of a major Asia-Pacific trade deal after royal assent was granted to a key bill on Thursday afternoon.

“This milestone achievement reaffirms Canada’s strong commitment to Canadian companies, industries and the millions of Canadians they employ,” said a statement from the office of Trade Minister Jim Carr, allowing the country to retain “first-mover advantage in many thriving Asia-Pacific markets.”

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The 11-country pact, called the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) can come into force 60 days after six countries pass legislation. Mexico ratified the deal in June, Japan in June and Singapore in September.

New Zealand’s trade minister, David Parker, was in Canada on Thursday for World Trade Organization meetings and had occasion to hand formal notice of ratification to his High Commissioner in Ottawa, according to a news release. Also both houses in the Australian Parliament have passed the deal as of last week, making ratification imminent for that country. It means that along with Canada, the trio of Commonwealth nations are likely to round out the first group able to take advantage of the new market, although Vietnam and Chile are also close to ratification.