French president in Canada to boost transatlantic trade

Banff, Canada

PRESIDENT Francois Hollande began the first visit to Canada by a French leader in a quarter of a century on Sunday, flying in to the country's oil-rich west to drum up transatlantic trade.

A new trade pact between Canada and the European Union is due to come into effect in coming years, eliminating 98 per cent of tariffs on goods and services and potentially boosting commerce by a fifth.

France is keen to win its share of any new deals and to increase research ties with Canadian …