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Opening Doors to the World
Canada's International Market Access Priorities 2003
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Introduction
Canada is a trading country. The export of goods and services accounts for more than 40% of our country's economy activity.
International trade is integral to our continued prosperity. There is no doubt that Canada's exposure to international
competition has energized our economy, spurred innovation, attracted foreign investment and created hundreds of thousands
of jobs for Canadians.
Although Canadians have been successful in selling to the world, our ability to fully exploit opportunities in key markets
is often limited by a variety of barriers. To ensure secure and predictable access to the world for Canadian traders and investors,
the government will continue its efforts to bring down barriers in key markets. This means strengthening the institutions and
the rules that govern international trade and investment, forging relationships with new partners, and ensuring that other
countries live up to their commitments.
Opening Doors to the World: Canada's International Market Access Priorities - 2003 presents significant market-opening results
achieved over the past year and outlines the Canadian government's priorities for 2003 to further improve access to foreign markets.
The government will continue to pursue these goals multilaterally, through the World Trade Organization (WTO); regionally, through
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum; bilaterally, with our key partners and through negotiation of free trade agreements with the Central
America Four (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and Singapore. In all cases, the government's objective will be
to ensure that Canada's traders and investors benefit fully from international trade agreements.
International Trade and Investment Trends
The year 2001 was notable for two major developments on the economic front: the technology bubble burst, triggering a downturn
in the North American and global economies; and September 11 changed forever the way goods, services and people would move across
national boundaries. It also marked the 10th consecutive year of economic growth, the longest and most stable economic expansion
since the 1960s.
The Canadian real economy expanded by 1.5% in 2001, its lowest level since the early 1990s, with a contraction in the third quarter.
The solid growth during a period of global slowdown is attributable to sound economic policies in Canada. The elimination of the
deficit and the restoration of fiscal and monetary policy credibility have underpinned this performance. Federal budget surpluses
from 1997–1998 to 2001–2002 contributed to the reduction of the public debt: the ratio of federal debt to gross domestic product
(GDP) fell from a high of about 71% in 1995–1996 to approximately 49% in 2001–2002.
Fiscal consolidation and debt reduction have provided room for an easing of tax burdens and some modest discretionary spending
measures, enabling consumer and government expenditures to make important contributions to growth in real GDP.
Canada's flexible exchange rate regime has played its part too, effectively cushioning the economy from external shocks.
The depreciation of the Canadian dollar in recent years has helped to offset the effect of world commodity price movements and
mitigated the impact of the global cyclical decline.
Openness to trade has also underscored the vitality and stability of Canada's economy, despite the global economic downturn.
Trade plays an important role in our economy. More specifically, trade has expanded more rapidly than overall growth in GDP; as
a result, the share of GDP represented by trade has expanded from less than 26% for both exports and imports in 1989 to 43.1%
for exports and to 38.1% for imports in 2001. In terms of percentage of GDP, Canada exports approximately four times as much as
the U.S. and Japan, our two largest individual trading partners. In fact, the Canadian economy is more internationally oriented
than that of any other member of the G7 group of nations.
In 2001, Canada's exports of goods and services totalled $471.3 billion, down 2.4% from the peak level recorded in 2000.
At the same time, imports of goods and services amounted to $415.6 billion in 2001, down 2.9% from the previous year. With
imports falling faster than exports, Canada's trade surplus rose for the year, and our current account balance improved to
$30 billion, or 2.8% of GDP. On average, Canada trades $2.4 billion per day with the rest of the world, or about $100 million
per hour—a remarkable tribute to our openness and to our ability to compete.
Canada's principal trading partner is by far and away the United States. The U.S. accounted for roughly 82 % of Canadian
exports and some 71% of our imports in 2001 (although, these figures may be overstated due to transhipments). Two-way trade in
goods and services with the United States fell some 3% in 2001. Part of this decline is due to the contraction of the U.S.
economy that occurred over the first three quarters of the year, and part is attributable to the interruption of bilateral
trade flows following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Merchandise trade accounts for the lion's share of our trade with the United States. Three broad observations can be made about
our bilateral merchandise trade. First, the U.S. share of Canadian merchandise exports has increased substantially since 1988
(the last year before the free trade agreements came into effect), rising some 14.4 percentage points to 87.2% in 2001. Gains
came largely at the expense of the European Union, Japan and countries outside the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), and were fairly evenly distributed across these destinations. Second, Canada has deepened its exports of
its three dominant commodities—motor vehicles, mineral fuels and machinery—possibly signalling a trend toward increased
specialization in these areas. Finally, although the U.S. Midwest remains the most important destination for Canadian exports,
at 41% of total merchandise exports to the U.S., exports to the U.S. West and U.S. South grew faster than the overall pace of
Canadian exports to this country, increasing the importance of these regions.
The changing economic situation of 2001 also dampened the investment climate in Canada and abroad. After reaching a record
$98.9 billion in 2000, the flow of net new foreign direct investment (FDI) into Canada plummeted 57% to $42.5 billion in 2001,
as the stock of foreign direct investment holdings in Canada rose to $320.9 billion, up 6.2% from the previous year. Nonetheless,
FDI inflows were still up more than 20% over the 1998–1999 average, proving that Canada remains a highly attractive place in
which to invest. The declines of 2001 are largely attributable to the fact that 2000 was an aberration, caused by high-value
takeovers by French firms. In 2001, American investors accounted for just under 91% of the net new investment inflows.
Canadian net investment outflows dropped off 22.1% in 2001, to $54.9 billion, as the stock of Canadian direct investment
abroad rose to $389.4 billion.
Canada's net liability to foreign residents—the difference between its external assets and external liabilities—was $203.4
billion at the end of 2001, little changed from the level of $202.5 billion in 2000. External assets at the end of 2001 were up
10.4% from a year earlier while external liabilities increased 8.5%. As a result, net liabilities to foreigners fell to 19% of
gross domestic product, the lowest level since the mid-1940s.
FOCUS ON THE MINERALS AND METALS SECTOR
The focus on the Minerals and Metals sector is the third in a series of secotral focuses. Previous editions looked at the
financial services and the biotechnology sectors.
Growing Industry with a Rock-Solid Foundation
Domestically, the Canadian minerals and metals sector is an integral segment of the national economy contributing more than
$37.4 billion or 3.7% of Canada's gross domestic product in 20011. It includes mineral extraction and concentrating (stage 1),
smelting and refining (stage 2), semi-fabricated mineral production (stage 3) and metals fabricating industries (stage 4)
2.
The industry employs 376,000 Canadians, and domestic exports amount to $47.4 billion.
In the last 20 years, a combination of diversification and globalization has resulted in a shift of priorities within the Canadian economy.
At the same time, the Canadian mining sector's GDP contribution has remained fairly steady at between 3.5% and 4.5%. Not only does
this illustrate the continuing importance of the industry in national terms, but it also indicates the flexibility of the industry
in adapting to a modern, technology-based world economy. In 2002, there were some 204 metal, non-metal and coal mines, 3,000 stone
quarries and sand and gravel pits, and over 50 non-ferrous smelters, refineries and steel mills operating in Canada. In addition,
mineral commodities account for 60% of the rail tonnage and for more than half of the marine tonnage handled in Canada.
Canada is a world leader in the production and export of many important minerals and mineral products. Based on 1998 data on
the value of minerals produced, Canada is the seventh-largest mineral producer (extraction and concentrating) in the world.
Canada is one of the top five producers of 16 minerals, including aluminum, asbestos, cadmium, cobalt, copper, gold, gypsum,
lead, molybdenum, nickel, platinum group metals, salt, titanium concentrate and zinc. By 2006, Canada could supply some 15%
of the world's gem-quality diamonds, ranking us behind only Botswana and Russia in diamond production. Canada produces more
than 60 mineral commodities.
The mining industry also plays a crucial role in Canada's export economy. Roughly 80% of the sector's production is exported,
amounting to 12.7% of total domestic exports. Between 1991 and 2001, the value of Canada's mineral and metal exports increased
over 45%, even though metal prices have fallen in both real and nominal terms. The United States represents Canada's largest
market for minerals and mineral products. Other important export markets include the European Union and Japan.
According to an annual survey undertaken by the Metals Economics Group (MEG), in 2002 Canada was ranked as the most preferred
target in the world for mineral exploration, beating out Australia for the first time since 1991. MEG attributes Canada's success
in improving its ranking to a renewal of investor interest in exploration that is supported by the federal government's new
Investment Tax Credit for Exploration in Canada. Preliminary estimates for 2001 indicate that over $510 million was spent on
exploration and deposit appraisal in Canada. Foreign-controlled firms are responsible for approximately 30% of the total
exploration expenditures undertaken in Canada.
Excellent Geology
Canada's intrinsic mineral potential is as great as that of virtually any country on Earth. In terms of land area, Canada ranks
second only to Russia. Moreover, the Canadian landmass is underlain by diverse and highly prospective geology. The Canadian Shield,
which accounts for 70% of Canada's metallic mineral production, is by far the largest Precambrian shield in the world.
The greenstone belts that lie within the Shield have attracted the attention of prospectors in search of massive deposits
of base metal sulphide and lode gold for more than 70 years. The Shield is also the repository of Canada's world-class nickel,
uranium and diamond deposits. Atlantic Canada contains a significant portion of the Appalachian–Caledonian–Hercynian mountain
belt, which has been the source of much of the mineral wealth of the eastern United States and western Europe. Western Canada
contains a major segment of the resource-rich Cordillera that stretches southward from Alaska, through the United States,
to Mexico and Central and South America. The Cordillera is richly endowed with porphyry copper, sediment-hosted lead-zinc,
volcanogenic massive sulphides, precious metal lodes and placers, and skarn deposits. Finally, the sedimentary basins of the
Canadian Prairies and Arctic Islands are best known as Canada's principal source of fossil fuels and potash. However, these
basins also have good potential for Valley Type and Sedimentary Exhalative (SEDEX) lead-zinc deposits.
A Global Presence
As a result of globalization and the liberalization of mining codes around the world, Canadian companies are now operating in
more than 100 countries and have an interest in more than 2,600 properties abroad. Canadian companies also have an interest in
over 200 mines, smelters, refineries, plants under construction, or projects awaiting final approval in almost 60 countries.
In addition, over 70% of the world's mining companies are listed on Canadian stock exchanges, no doubt reflecting the industry's
wish to be located close to securities brokers and investment bankers, mining analysts and mining legal professionals, who are
able to organize and raise new financing. In 2001, Canadian financial institutions were responsible for approximately 34% of all
equity raised on major world exchanges for global mineral exploration and development. In the same year, Canadian-based companies
accounted for approximately 30% of the world's total large-company exploration expenditures.
The world mining industry consumes approximately $300 billion worth of goods and services yearly. Canada, with its varied
geology and its great mining tradition, has developed a supply sector that supports the extractive sector in its drive to
become more efficient, provide a healthy and safe workplace, and operate in an environmentally sustainable way. More than
2,200 Canadian-based companies sell specialized scientific or technical products for use by mining companies operating in
Canada and abroad. Almost three quarters of suppliers are based in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, all of which have
a large mining sector. However, there are suppliers of mining goods and services located in over 400 urban or remote
communities in all provinces and territories.
Canadian-based companies are strong competitors in the world market for airborne geophysical equipment, and Canadian geophysical
equipment manufacturers, related software developers and data companies also hold a significant share of the global market.
Canadian suppliers provide thousands of different products. They have developed considerable knowledge and expertise in products
used in surface mining, underground mining, environmental protection, exploration, feasibility studies, mineral processing
and mine automation. Canadian suppliers have followed the mining industry to international markets and currently supply goods
and services to more than 100 countries. Exports account for 30% to 50% of Canadian suppliers' revenues.
Market Access Issues for the Sector
Market Access Issues in the European Union
Aluminum and Magnesium: Reduced tariffs on aluminum ingot and other non-ferrous metals remain a priority for Canada.
With regard to aluminum, the Canadian industry, with government support, has seen some success in its efforts to encourage
like-minded producers and users of ingot in the European Union to urge the European Commission to reduce or suspend the 6%
tariff. The European Union has announced that it sees its aluminum tariffs as items for potential negotiation at the World
Trade Organization during the Doha Round. Similarly, the current equivalent duty on pure and alloy magnesium of 5.3% could
also be considered for reduction.
Bans and Restrictions on Certain Non-ferrous Metals: The European Commission has adopted directives on waste
management for electrical and electronic equipment, including batteries and accumulators, and on end-of-life vehicles.
These directives provide for restrictions and an eventual ban on the use of certain substances that Canada exports, including
lead, mercury and cadmium. While Canada shares the Commission's commitment to the protection of health and the environment,
it continues to question whether such product bans are proportionate to any attendant risks, and is concerned that such measures
may be more trade-restrictive than necessary to achieve their intended objectives.
Recycling, Recovery and Management Directives: Canada is concerned by the potential creation of a closed market
for raw material resources to which access would be limited to those treatment facilities operating strictly within a closed
"producers' network." The directives also appear to contain export restrictions that may be inconsistent with international
trade rules. Canada will continue to monitor them and will convey its concerns to the European Commission.
Market Access Issues in Asia
Market access priorities in Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia for the minerals and metals sector include the following:
- continue to press for a reduction of largely nuisance duties applied to non-ferrous metals in Japan;
- promote the specific interests of Canadian companies in the market. In particular, Canada will try to ensure that proposed
changes to Vietnam's Mineral Law correspond to the needs of the Canadian mining industry; and
- continue to advocate the benefits of a socially and environmentally responsible mining industry worldwide.
FOCUS ON BRITISH COLUMBIA
The focus on British Columbia is the fourth in
a series of regional focuses. Last year's edition looked at Ontario and Quebec.
Overview
British Columbia has a small, open and resource-based economy, which trades extensively with the rest of Canada and
other countries. In the 1990s, the province's economic performance lagged the Canadian average. The natural resource
industries were subject to swings in commodity prices and demand changes in key international markets. Reduced demand
in key Asian markets was a major factor affecting the performance of the sector, but internal factors such as weak
productivity improvements and below-average investment in new capital equipment also played major roles.
Business investment in British Columbia picked up in 2001, growing 5.9% as spending on both residential (11.3%)
and non-residential (6.6%) structures made solid gains. Consumer spending also remained robust, increasing 4.6% in
2001. Despite the strong domestic picture, however, the economy faltered in 2001, posting a marginal decline (-0.2%)
in real GDP, which was largely due to weakness in the province's main export markets.
Consumer and business spending in the province remained healthy during 2002, boosting the province's economic
performance and contributing to employment gains of 77,000 during the year. While domestic demand for goods and
services was strong, external factors continued to hinder economic growth. Despite this weakness, the province's
growing services sector (which accounts for three quarters of its GDP) has helped insulate the economy from some
of the ups and downs in the natural resource industries.
The B.C. government is committed to building a strong and dynamic private sector business climate in the province.
Tax cuts and regulatory reform have raised business confidence and reestablished British Columbia's competitive
position in North America. The B.C. government is now working in partnership with the business community to build
on British Columbia's strengths, add value to resources, diversify its businesses and markets, and expand the province's
human capital and infrastructure.
International Trade
Between 1991 and 2001, the total value of British Columbia's international goods exports doubled from $16 billion
to $32 billion, and exports came to represent almost 25% of provincial GDP. During that decade, there were also
important shifts in the commodity composition and geographic pattern of British Columbia's exports. In 1991, 45%
of provincial exports were shipped to the United States, 26% to Japan and 15% to Europe. By 2001, the U.S. share
had risen sharply to 70%, reflecting strong demand in the U.S. economy and the growing impact of the North American
Free Trade Agreement. In contrast, the share of exports destined for Japan and Europe declined to 13% and 7%
respectively.
The province's main primary exports (wood products, pulp and paper, metals, energy and fish) accounted for 82%
of total exports in 1991, and a still-impressive 72% in 2001. However, over that period the export shares of coal,
metallic minerals, lumber, pulp and newsprint declined significantly, while those of value-added wood and paper products,
natural gas and electricity increased rapidly.
Beyond the primary sector, exports from high-tech manufacturing industries, such as electronics and advanced machinery,
showed impressive growth as did services exports, such as computer and engineering services, international film production,
foreign tourism and trade-related services. The province's international services exports were estimated at $9.3 billion
in 2001, an increase of 119% since 1991. In terms of the growing secondary manufacturing, knowledge-based industries,
including film, the U.S. market is by far the most important destination for B.C.'s value-added goods, as it accounts
for the vast majority of these exports.
Employment Growth in Selected B.C. Industries, 1991 to 2001
| 1991 |
2001 |
% change |
| Forestry & related manufacturing |
89,800 |
90,600 |
0.01 |
| Mining & related manufacturing |
46,300 |
39,600 |
14% |
| Selected value-added manufacturing |
33,200 |
43,700 |
+ 32% |
| Computer systems design services |
10,100 |
34,900 |
+ 245% |
| Management, scientific & technical services |
10,300 |
21,600 |
+ 110% |
| Tourism-related services |
93,800 |
114,300 |
+ 22% |
The key decision maker on trade and investment is the private sector. However, the B.C. government, through its
ministries and agencies, is supporting the efforts of the business community by developing and implementing a
variety of strategies designed to open markets, raise awareness and reduce barriers to trade and investment. Sectors
identified as priorities include both traditional industries (e.g. natural resource products), which comprise
the backbone of the province's exports, as well as emerging knowledge-based and value-added areas (goods and services),
which hold good potential for growth in investment and exports.
Market Access Issues
Given the province's dependence on international markets, the B.C. government is a strong advocate of the
international trading system, which establishes rules providing predictable and secure market access. The B.C.
government is a vigorous supporter of both the WTO and NAFTA and has welcomed the launch of a new round of multilateral
trade negotiations in the WTO.
The comprehensive nature of these negotiations offers considerable opportunity to improve international market access
in areas of particular importance to the province. For example, expansion of commitments under the General Agreement on
Trade in Services is important, given the rapid growth of a number of service industries in British Columbia.
In recent years, provincial forestry and agricultural industries have been significantly affected by anti-dumping
and countervailing duty cases. Most notable are the current anti-dumping and countervailing duties being imposed by
the United States against B.C. and other Canadian producers. These duties have been harmful not only to B.C.'s forest
industries, but also to the many communities dependent on these industries. The B.C. government is strongly committed
to the early resolution of this problem.
British Columbia Success Stories
Fincentric Corporation is a leading global provider of enterprise wealth management and core banking software.
Fincentric's i-Wealthview wealth management software products include "next generation" core banking, "customer value management,"
data aggregation, Internet and wireless financial portals and full multi-channel support. Fincentric's
products enable financial institutions to quickly deploy solutions for their converging financial service offerings,
while supporting capabilities for increasing customer profitability, acquisition and retention. Fincentric has
approximately 300 customers worldwide, and has strategic relationships with Microsoft, HP and other international
partners. Fincentric is a multiple recipient of the Canada Export Award.
Rescan Environmental Services Ltd., Vancouver
www.rescan.com
Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. is an environmental consulting firm offering a full range of environmental and
related services to resource industries, with a particular focus on the mining sector. In November 2002, Rescan was
honoured with its third BC Export Award. Rescan was nominated in the Professional and Services Sector category,
which recognizes companies and organizations that provide expert advice, technical support or educational programs
to international customers. Company President Clem Pelletier attributes Rescan's success in the export market to
the hard work and dedication of his professional staff, and to Rescan's strong long-term relationships with clients
around the world. Approximately half of Rescan's business is derived from work performed for international clients.
Power Measurement Ltd., Victoria
www.pwrm.com
Power Measurement is a global provider of enterprise energy management systems. It has more than 250 employees
worldwide, representation in over 80 countries and over $60 million in annual revenue. For nearly 20 years, the
company's ION® software and intelligent metering products have helped energy suppliers and consumers reduce energy
costs and maximize uptime. Recent applications of the company's energy-management technology include the "Chunnel"
rail link in London, England; the Italian National Railway in Rome, Italy; and NASA's Ames Research Center near San
Francisco, California.
Cascade Aerospace Inc. provides services for the maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and modification of narrow-body
airliners. It currently specializes in Boeing 737 aircraft. In just over two years, Cascade Aerospace has become the
largest non-airline provider of MRO services in Canada and increased export sales by 318%.
Serving predominantly U.S.-based airlines and leasing companies, Cascade has a customer roster that includes Aloha
Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Continental Airlines, as well as the two largest aircraft leasing companies in the
world: GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and International Leasing and Finance Company (ILFC). Cascade Aerospace
Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company, whose historical roots are with affiliate-company Conair. Cascade currently
employs 530 people in its 250,000-square-foot, purpose-built maintenance facility at the Abbotsford International Airport.
Mainframe Entertainment Inc., Vancouver
www.mainframe.ca
Mainframe Entertainment Inc. is one of the world's most prolific producers of computer animation for television and
direct-to-video features and is expanding into long-form computer graphic images (CGI) for feature films, commercials
and interactive entertainment. The company is best known as the pioneer of computer-animated television with the
groundbreaking "ReBoot" series. Mainframe has produced over 200 half hours of computer animation since its inception
in 1993. In addition to its critically acclaimed "Barbie as Rapunzel" direct-to-video feature, the company is currently
producing 13 episodes of "Spider-Man" for Sony Pictures Television. Mainframe has worked with such names as ABC, IMAX
Corporation, Hasbro Toys Inc., Columbia Tristar, Mattel, Alliance/Atlantis Communications, Cartoon Network, YTV Canada,
Fox Family Channel, Fox Kids Network and Harvey Entertainment. The company employs over 200 artists, animators,
technicians and production personnel, and has won many prestigious awards for its creative and technical innovations,
including an induction into the Smithsonian Institute in 1998.
Market Access and International Business Development
Both the federal and provincial governments manage programs that encourage business to expand beyond Canada's borders.
Within the federal government, 22 departments and agencies have merged their international business development activities
under the banner of Team Canada Inc. The members of Team Canada Inc cooperate in providing international business
intelligence, market access information and marketing advice to Canadian business through a single window, via the
Internet (www.exportsource.ca) or via telephone at 1-888-811-1119.
Another network, led by Investment Partnerships Canada, supports companies, trade associations and municipal
and regional development agencies looking to attract new investors. Canada offers investors a highly skilled workforce,
a productive and dynamic economy, a competitive domestic environment, and close access to the main international markets
with preferred access to the United States. Investments Partnerships Canada can be contacted via the Internet
(www.investincanada.gc.ca).
The Trade Commissioner Service, with officers in 140 Canadian embassies and consulates throughout the world, is the
international antenna for both these networks; it understands the regulations, policy issues and barriers that
Canadian business may face in exporting goods and services or making a direct investment in a foreign market.
The trade offices are a direct point of contact for Canadian business people in foreign markets. Officers are
trained to help companies deal with a foreign environment and to help resolve trade policy issues that negatively
influence commercial transactions. This international business development network is one of the main sources of
information for Canadian trade policy initiatives that seek to expand access for Canadian firms in international markets.
The International Business Development Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
is the domestic side of the Trade Commissioner Service. The branch publishes general market information on almost every
country in the world, specialized reports on industrial sectors in most foreign markets, and timely sales leads through
an International Business Opportunities Centre. Links to this branch and to each of the trade offices abroad are a
vailable at the Trade Commissioner Web site. This site is also the gateway to a new subscription
service, the Virtual Trade Commissioner, which offers personalized electronic access to the full range of services
with a direct link to trade commissioners in the field.
Several members of Team Canada Inc provide direct assistance to Canadian business needing a source of finance, or a
way to overcome administrative or credibility constraints—a particular issue for small or new exporters. Export
Development Canada offers credit and political risk insurance and direct financing. The Canadian
Commercial Corporation provides access to difficult markets where government-to-government contracts
are useful. And the Business Development Bank has financing packages for small and medium-sized
enterprises.
These services together are well placed to inform Canadian companies about their rights under international trade
and investment protection rules and can identify policy problems that limit the freedom of Canadian business to expand.
The international network assesses how other governments implement the disciplines they have accepted and advises
DFAIT's Trade, Economic and Environmental Policy Branch about new issues. Each department brings its particular
expertise to the network, providing service to the client and policy advice to the government.
The members of Team Canada Inc are:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Business Development Bank of Canada
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
Canada Economic Development for the Quebec Regions Agency
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Canadian Commercial Corporation
Canadian Heritage
Canadian International Development Agency
Environment Canada
Export Development Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Industry Canada
National Farm Products Council
National Research Council
Natural Resources Canada
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Statistics Canada
Transport Canada
Western Economic Diversification
If you are doing business abroad, we want to hear from you...
In support of the Canadian government's strong commitment to ensure that all Canadians continue to have input
into the country's overall trade agenda, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has established
broad-based consultation mechanisms. Canada's experience has shown that consultations, whether at the domestic or
the multilateral level, greatly reinforce public awareness and understanding of the importance of trade.
These mechanisms include:
- Federal/Provincial/Territorial Committee on Trade (C-Trade);
- consultations with municipalities;
- sectoral advisory groups on international trade (SAGITs);
- multi-stakeholder consultation; and
- public opinion research.
Canadians are also encouraged to use the Department's Trade Negotiations and Agreements Web
site, where up-to-date information on Canada's trade policy agenda is posted
and input is sought. The Web site contains an extensive consultation section ("It's Your Turn") that enables
Canadians to send in their comments on Canada's trade policy agenda and stay informed of specific consultation
initiatives launched by the government.
We particularly welcome direct input from Canadian exporters and investors describing barriers they have
encountered in foreign markets. Individual companies, industry associations and other interested organizations are
encouraged to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with specific information on tariff
or non-tariff barriers and other business irritants. Business people are invited to report any problems they are
experiencing by communicating in strictest confidence to:
"Foreign Trade and Investment Barriers Alert"
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A OG2
Fax: (613) 992-6002
e-mail: Consultations@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
The Department also regularly consults Canadians on international business development through a variety of means.
For instance, the Trade Commissioner Service has regular meetings with national, regional and sectoral industry and
trade associations, as well as with provinces and territories, to seek their views on how to improve the delivery of
its programs and services. Moreover, several of the Department's trade promotion initiatives are undertaken jointly with
industry and trade associations. Business people are also encouraged to remain in touch with the Department regarding
market access and other issues through its Web sites (www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/trade/menu-en.asp
or www.exportsource.ca).
These sites contain additional information on many of the issues covered in this document.
1 (Back)
GDP was converted from 1997 dollars to current dollars using a common factor based on the Chain Price Index.
2 (Back)
All data, unless otherwise stated, are for stages 1 to 4 and include coal.
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