It's Your Turn
Consulting Canadians
Regional and Bilateral Initiatives
2006
Final Environmental Assessment of the Government Procurement Chapter to be added to
the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement
In keeping with the 2001 Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations, a Final
Environmental Assessment of the negotiations between Canada and Chile towards a government procurement
chapter to be added to the existing Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) has been conducted to help
negotiators better integrate environmental considerations into the negotiating process.
The report on this Final Environmental Assessment is now available and we welcome comments on its
contents. The comments that are received will be circulated to the interdepartmental EA of Trade Steering
Committee and will inform future environmental assessments of trade negotiations.
Consultations
on the Development of the Canada-Japan Joint Study
Closing date: May 31, 2006
The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadian stakeholders
on a joint study it is undertaking with the Government of Japan
designed to examine the implications of further promotion and liberalization
of bilateral trade and investment. The joint study is a key component
of the Canada-Japan Economic Framework that was signed by the two
governments on November 19, 2005, as a means of reinforcing the
bilateral economic relationship.
The findings of the joint study will be used to enhance Canada’s
commercial relations with Japan, including through the potential
use of various policy tools. Comments are invited on existing barriers
to trade and investment, possible policy tools to address those
issues, and advice on how best to promote the bilateral commercial
relationship.
For information on the Canada-Japan Economic Framework, and on
the procedures for submissions by interested parties, we invite
you to consult the Canada
Gazette Notice of April 8, 2006, as well as additional
background information.
All interested parties are invited to submit their views on issues
which will impact the development of the Joint Study by May
31, 2006.
Contributions can be sent by email, fax or mail to:
E-mail: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-3489
Address: Trade Negotiations Consultations (Japan)
Regional Trade Policy Division (TBP)
International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
2005
Notice of Intent
to Conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Canada-India
Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA)
Closing date: December 29, 2005
The Government of Canada will undertake a Strategic Environmental
Assessment (EA) of the negotiations for a Canada-India Foreign Investment
Protection Agreement (FIPA). Comments are invited on any likely
and significant environmental impacts of the negotiations on Canada.
The Government of Canada is committed to sustainable development.
Mutually supportive trade and environmental policies can contribute
to this objective. To this end, the Minister of International Trade,
with the support of his Cabinet colleagues, has directed trade officials
to improve their understanding of, and information based on, the
relationship between trade and environmental issues at the earliest
stages of decision making, and to do this through an open and inclusive
process. Environmental assessments of trade negotiations are critical
to this work.
This process is guided by the 2001
Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations
and with direction from the 2004 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental
Assessment of Policy, Plan, and Program Proposals.
For more information, please visit:
All interested parties are invited to submit their views on the
likely and significant environmental
impacts on Canada resulting from the Canada-India FIPA negotiations
by December 29, 2005.
Contributions can be sent by e-mail, fax or mail to:
E-mail: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Mail: Consultations & Liaison Division
Environmental Assessment Consultations – Canada-India FIPA
International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G2
Notice of Intent
to Conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Canada-China
Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA)
Closing date: December 29, 2005
The Government of Canada will be undertaking a Strategic Environmental
Assessment of the negotiations for a Canada-China Foreign Investment
Protection Agreement (FIPA). Comments are invited on any likely
and significant environmental impacts of the negotiations on Canada.
The Government of Canada is committed to sustainable development.
Mutually supportive trade and environmental policies can contribute
to this objective. To this end, the Minister of International Trade,
with the support of his Cabinet colleagues, has directed trade officials
to improve their understanding of, and information base on, the
relationship between trade and environmental issues at the earliest
stages of decision making, and to do this through an open and inclusive
process. Environmental assessments of trade negotiations are critical
to this work.
This process is guided by the 2001
Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations
with direction from the 1999 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental
Assessment of Policy, Plan, and Program Proposals.
For more information, please visit:
All interested parties are invited to submit their views on the
likely and significant environmental impacts on Canada resulting
from the Canada-China FIPA negotiations by December 29,
2005.
Contributions can be sent by e-mail, fax or mail to:
E-mail: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Mail: Consultations & Liaison Division
Environmental Assessment Consultations – Canada-China FIPA
International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G2
Notice of
Intent to Conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Canada-Korea
Free Trade Agreement
Closing date: December 30, 2005
The Government of Canada will be undertaking a Strategic Environmental
Assessment of the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
with Korea. Comments are invited on any likely and significant environmental
impacts of the negotiations on Canada.
The Government of Canada is committed to sustainable development.
Mutually supportive trade and environmental policies can contribute
to this objective. To this end, the Minister of International Trade,
with the support of his Cabinet colleagues, has directed trade officials
to improve their understanding of, and information base on, the
relationship between trade and environmental issues at the earliest
stages of decision making, and to do this through an open and inclusive
process. Environmental assessments of trade negotiations are critical
to this work.
This process is guided by the 2001
Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations
with direction from the 1999 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental
Assessment of Policy, Plan, and Program Proposals.
For more information, please visit:
All interested parties are invited to submit their views on the
likely and significant environmental impacts on Canada resulting
from the Canada-Korea FTA negotiations by December 30, 2005.
Contributions can be sent by email, fax or mail to:
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Mail:
Environmental Assessment of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement
Consultations and Liaison Division
International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0G2
Initial Environmental
Assessment of the Government Procurement Chapter to be added to
the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement
Closing date: November 25, 2005
In keeping with the 2001 Framework for Conducting Environmental
Assessments of Trade Negotiations, an Initial Environmental Assessment
of the negotiations between Canada and Chile towards a government
procurement chapter to be added to the existing Canada-Chile Free
Trade Agreement (CCFTA) has been conducted to help negotiators better
integrate environmental considerations into the negotiating process.
The report on this Initial Environmental Assessment is now released
for a 30 day public consultation period until November 25,
2005. We welcome comments on this report, as well as comments
on anticipated economic, environmental and policy-making impacts
on Canada as a result of the Canada-Chile Government Procurement
Chapter negotiations. The Final Environmental Assessment report
will be released after the conclusion of the Canada-Chile Government
Procurement Chapter negotiations.
Contributions can be sent by email, fax or mail to:
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Mail:
Consultations & Liaison Division (EBC)
EA Consultations - Canada - Chile Government Procurement Chapter
International Trade Canada
(International Trade)
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0G2
Initial Environmental Assessment
of the Canada-Peru Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA)
Closing date: October 7, 2005
In keeping with the 2001 Framework for Conducting Environmental
Assessments of Trade Negotiations, an Initial Environmental
Assessment of the Canada-Peru Foreign Investment and Promotion Agreement
(FIPA) negotiations has been conducted to help negotiators to better
integrate environmental considerations into the negotiating process.
The Government of Canada is working closely with Provincial and
Territorial Governments throughout the environmental assessment
process. It has consulted with Canadians on this step of the environmental
assessment, including business groups, non-governmental organizations
and the general public. A Notice of Intent to conduct an Environmental
Assessment of the Canada-Peru FIPA negotiations was posted on the
Trade Negotiations and Agreements website of International Trade
Canada on June 2, 2005. The report on the Initial Environmental
Assessment is now released for public consultation. We welcome comments
on this report, as well as comments on anticipated economic, environmental
and policy-making impacts on Canada as a result of the Canada-Peru
FIPA negotiations. The Final Environmental Assessment report will
be released after the conclusion of the Canada-Peru FIPA negotiations.
Please send your contributions by email to: consultations@international.gc.ca
or by mail or fax to:
Consultations and Liaison Division (EBC)
Initial Environmental Assessment of the Canada-Peru Foreign Investment
Protection Agreement Negotiations
International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Canada–Korea Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) - Market Access Negotiations for Agricultural and
Non-Agricultural Goods
Closing date: October 7, 2005
It is anticipated that Canada and Korea will exchange initial tariff
offers for agricultural and non-agricultural goods in early November
2005 and that both Parties will subsequently submit requests for
improvements to the other Party’s tariff offer. To ensure
that Canada’s priorities, interests and concerns are fully
taken into account in our negotiating strategy, International Trade
Canada would like to hear your views on issues pertaining to tariffs,
rules of origin and non-tariff measures.
Canada - Korea Merchandise Trade
In 2004, South Korea was Canada’s seventh-largest merchandise
trading partner, with Canadian merchandise exports totalling $2.3
billion, and imports from South Korea nearing $5.8 billion. While
the commercial relationship is solid, both countries recognize that
there is considerable scope for growth. The Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) negotiations offer the possibility of greatly improving market
access for Canadian exporters, including in areas of key export
interest through the elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
In the agricultural sector, Canada’s top exports to South
Korea include wheat, pork, animal or vegetable fats and oils and
furskins. Top imports include pasta, preparations of cereals, citrus
fruits and pears. Canada’s top non-agricultural exports to
South Korea include a predominance of primary products (pulp and
paper, mineral products, wood and wood products and fish), as well
as non-ferrous metals, organic and inorganic chemicals, information
technology (IT), medical and scientific equipment and industrial
machinery. On the imports side, Canada’s top imports from
Korea include higher-valued manufactured products: in 2004, vehicles
and parts and information technology products together accounted
for nearly 59% of total Canadian imports from Korea. Other key imports
in 2004 included industrial machinery, iron and steel, ships, electrical
machinery, rubber and various textiles and apparel products.
Korea has bound approximately 91 per cent of its tariff lines as
a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations and, as of 2003, Korea
had an overall MFN applied tariff of 12.4 per cent and an average
MFN applied rate of 6.9 per cent on industrial products. Duties
remain high on a large number of agricultural and fisheries products.
As a member of several of the WTO Uruguay Round zero-for-zero initiatives,
Korea eliminated its tariffs on toys, steel, furniture, construction
equipment and agricultural equipment, and most paper products. Korea
was also a founding member of the 1996 Information Technology Agreement
and, like Canada, has eliminated all tariffs on these products.
WTO rules require that in the context of an FTA, both Parties must
eliminate tariffs on substantially all trade.
International Trade Canada invites you to submit your views on:
Market Access Negotiations
for Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Goods
For more information, see: Canada-Korea
Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
Notice of
Intent to Conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment of a Government
Procurement Chapter of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)
Closing date: September 12, 2005
The Government of Canada is currently negotiating a Government
Procurement Chapter which is expected to form part of the existing
Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA). As such, to reflect its
commitment to sustainable development, the Government of Canada
will conduct an environmental assessment of this Government Procurement
Chapter, and is seeking comments on its likely environmental impacts
on Canada.
In keeping with the 1999 Cabinet Directive requiring federal departments
to consider the environmental impacts of policy initiatives, the
former Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade developed
the 2001 Framework for Conducting
Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations (the Framework).
It should be noted that the Framework is intended to be applied
in a flexible fashion, so that it can be adapted to the nature of
the agreement to be negotiated.
For more information about Government Procurement in trade agreements
and negotiations and the CCFTA, please see:
Background on Government Procurement
Background on CCFTA
All interested parties are invited to submit their views on environmental
matters related to the Government Procurement Chapter, which will
form part of the CCFTA, by September 12, 2005.
Contributions can be sent by email, fax or mail to:
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Mail: Environmental Assessment of the Government Procurement Chapter
of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)
Consultations and Liaison Division
International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0G2
Strategic Environmental
Assessment of the Canada - EU Trade and Investment Enhancement Agreement
Negotiations (TIEA)
Closing date: September 16, 2005
The Government of Canada will be undertaking a Strategic Environmental
Assessment of the negotiations for a Trade and Investment Enhancement
Agreement with the European Union and invites comments on any likely
and significant environmental impacts of the negotiations on Canada.
In keeping with the 1999 Directive requiring federal departments
to consider the environmental impacts of policy initiatives, the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade developed
the 2001 Framework for Conducting
Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations (the Framework).
It should be noted that the Framework is intended to be applied
in a flexible fashion, so that it can be adapted to the nature of
the agreement to be negotiated.
For more information on the Canada-EU TIEA negotiations and on
the procedures for submitting comments and observations, we invite
you to consult the Canada
Gazette Notice of July 23, 2005.
For more information, see the following:
All interested parties are invited to submit their views on the
likely and significant environmental impacts on Canada of the TIEA
negotiations by September 16, 2005
Contributions can be sent by email, fax or mail to:
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Mail:
Consultations & Liaison Division (EBC)
Environmental Assessment Consultations - Canada - EU TIEA
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (International
Trade)
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0G2
Notice of Intent to Conduct
a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Canada-Peru Foreign
Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA)
Closing date: June 15, 2005
The Government of Canada intends to conduct an Environmental Assessment
on the Canada-Peru Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA)
and invites comments on the likely environmental impacts on Canada.
In keeping with the 1999 Directive requiring federal departments
to consider the environmental impacts of policy initiatives, the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade developed
the 2001 Framework for Conducting
Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations (the Framework).
It should be noted that the Framework is intended to be applied
in a flexible fashion, so that it can be adapted to the nature of
the agreement to be negotiated. To reflect its commitment to sustainable
development, the government of Canada committed to an EA of the
likely environmental impacts on Canada of the proposed Canada-Peru
FIPA. This is the first FIPA to benefit from an EA.
For more information about this initiative with Peru and on Canada's
FIPAs, please see:
All interested parties are invited to submit their views on environmental
matters related to the Foreign Investment Protection Agreement by
June 15, 2005.
Contributions can be sent by email, fax or mail to:
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-0757 (EBI)
Mail:
Environmental Assessment of the Canada-Peru FIPA
Investment Trade Policy Division (EBI)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (International
Trade)
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0G2
The Government of Canada
is Seeking Views of Canadians on Possible Increase in Certain Most-Favoured-Nation
(MFN) Tariffs
Closing date: June 25, 2005
On May 1, 2004, ten additional countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Cyprus
and Malta) became members of the European Union (EU). Once they
joined the EU, the new member states withdrew their individual tariff
schedules and adopted the EU’s tariff schedule. In certain cases,
the EU tariffs are higher than acceding members’ previous tariffs.
Under WTO rules, Article XXIV:6 of the General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade (GATT) provides for compensation in such circumstances.
Canada is currently negotiating with the EU to ensure that adequate
compensation is obtained. However, should the negotiations for a
compensation package fail, Canada has the right, under WTO rules,
to withdraw substantially equivalent concessions before August 1,
2005. The purpose of this consultation is to obtain views on a short
list of items that could be subject to an MFN tariff increase.
The proposed increase in MFN tariffs would not affect imports originating
in Canada's North American Free Trade Agreement partners, other
bilateral free trade partners or countries eligible for existing
preferential tariff treatments.
For more information on this issue and on the procedures for submitting
a request, we invite you to consult the Canada
Gazette Notice of May 28, 2005. All interested parties
are invited to submit their views by June 25, 2005.
News
Release - May 31, 2005 - Invitation to submit views on a proposed
increase in certain Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariffs
Canada-Korea - Consultations
on possible Free Trade Agreement Negotiations with the Republic
of Korea
Closing date: March 1, 2005
The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians on
the possible scope of a free trade agreement between Canada and
Korea. It is essential that the Government of Canada be fully aware
of the interests and sensitivities of Canadians with respect to
this initiative. Therefore, we welcome advice and views on any priorities,
objectives and concerns with regard to a free trade agreement with
Korea.
For information about this initiative with the Republic of Korea
and the consultations, please see the News
Release, the Canada
Gazette Notice of January 31, 2005, as well as additional
background information.
All interested parties are invited to submit their views by March
1, 2005. Contributions can be sent by e-mail, fax or mail to:
E-mail: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944- 0757
Address:
Trade Negotiations Consultations (Korea)
Regional Trade Policy Division (EAI)
International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
2004
Canada-Singapore:
Initial Environmental Assessment
Closing date: July 14, 2004
In keeping with the Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments
of Trade Negotiations, an initial environmental assessment (EA)
of the Canada-Singapore free trade negotiations has been conducted
to help negotiators to better integrate environmental considerations
into the negotiating process.
The Government has conducted initial consultations with the provinces
and territories, as well as with the Sectoral Advisory Groups on
International Trade (SAGITs). The EA is now released for a 60-day
public consultation period until July 14, 2004. We welcome comments
on this report, as well as comments on anticipated economic, environmental
and policy-making impacts on Canada as a result of the Canada-Singapore
negotiations.
2003
Initial Environmental Assessment
of the Canada-Central America Four Free Trade (CA-4) Negotiations
Closing date: August 18, 2003
In keeping with the Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments
of Trade Negotiations, an environmental assessment (EA) of the Canada-Central
America Four (Canada-CA-4) free trade negotiations is being conducted
to help negotiators to better integrate environmental considerations
into the negotiating process.
The Government has consulted with Canadians on the initial environmental
assessment, including the provinces and territories, non-government
organizations, business groups, and the general public.
The Initial Environmental Assessment is released for a sixty-day
public comment period.
Initial Environmental Assessment
of the Canada-CA-4 Free Trade Negotiations
(pdf, 24 pages, 252 KB)
Background Information
Send your contributions by August 18, 2003, by e-mail to: consultations@international.gc.ca
or by mail or fax at:
Trade Policy Consultations and Liaison Division (EBC),
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade,
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Canada-European Union - Proposed Trade and
Investment Enhancement Agreement
Closing date: June 13, 2003
The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians on the
scope of the proposed bilateral trade and investment enhancement
agreement as well as on barriers to the European market to be addressed
in the context of ongoing WTO negotiations. It is essential that
the Government of Canada be fully aware of the interests and sensitivities
of Canadians with respect to this initiative. Therefore, we welcome
advice and views on any priorities, objectives and concerns with
regard to enhancing our trade and investment relationship with the
European Union.
For information about this initiative with the European Union and
consultation, please see the News
Release and Backgrounder
,
the Canada
Gazette Notice
of April 12, 2003, as well as additional background
information.
All interested parties are invited to submit their views by June
13, 2003. Contributions can be sent by e-mail, fax or mail to:
E-mail:
consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax:
(613) 944-7981
Address:
Trade Negotiations Consultations (Europe)
Trade Policy Consultations and Liaison Division (EBC)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
2002
Canada-Andean Countries - Free Trade Discussions
Closing date: December 20, 2002
The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians on the
possible scope of a free trade agreement between Canada and the Andean
countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela). It is
essential that the Government of Canada be fully aware of the interests
and sensitivities of Canadians with respect to this initiative. Therefore,
we welcome advice and views on any priorities, objectives and concerns
with regard to a free trade agreement with the Andean countries.
For information about the Andean countries initiative and consultation,
please see the News
Release, the Canada Gazette
Notice of November 2, 2002, as well as additional background
information.
All interested parties are invited to submit their views by December
20, 2002 by e-mail to:
E-mail: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-0757
Address:
Trade Negotiations Consultations (Dominican Republic)
Regional Trade Policy Division (EBW)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
Canada-Dominican Republic
- Free Trade Discussions
Closing date: December 20, 2002
The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians on the
possible scope of a free trade agreement between Canada and the Dominican
Republic. It is essential that the Government of Canada be fully aware
of the interests and sensitivities of Canadians with respect to this
initiative. Therefore, we welcome advice and views on any priorities,
objectives and concerns with regard to a free trade agreement with
the Dominican Republic.
For information about the Dominican Republic initiative and consultation,
please see the News
Release, the Canada Gazette Notice
of November 2, 2002, as well as additional background
information.
All interested parties are invited to submit their views by December
20, 2002 by e-mail to:
E-mail: consultations@international.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 944-0757
Address:
Trade Negotiations Consultations (Dominican Republic)
Regional Trade Policy Division (EBW)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
Canada-Chile Free Trade
Agreement (CCFTA) - Proposal for CCFTA Rules of Origin Changes
Closing date: June 21, 2002
The purpose of this notice is to seek views regarding a proposal
related to the rules of origin requirements under the Canada-Chile
Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA). The rules of origin need to be amended
to reflect the changes to the structure and nomenclature of the
Harmonized System (HS) that became effective January 1, 2002. The
amendments are being developed in a manner that strives to be neutral
without changing the original intent of the rules. In some cases,
however, analysis has shown that amending the rules of origin to
reflect the new HS 2002 while maintaining their original intent
would result in extremely complex and administratively burdensome
rules. It is therefore proposed that, in these limited cases, the
current text of the rules remain unchanged even though this would
result in changes to the origin conferring requirements of the CCFTA.
See the Canada
Gazette Notice for additional information
Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to the address set
out in the Canada Gazette Notice no later than June 21, 2002.
Canada-Israel Free Trade
Agreement (CIFTA) - Proposal for CIFTA Rules of Origin Changes
Closing date: May 15, 2002
The purpose of this notice is to seek views regarding a proposal
related to the rules of origin requirements under the Canada-Israel
Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA). The rules of origin need to be amended
to reflect the changes to the structure and nomenclature of the
Harmonized System (HS) that became effective January 1, 2002. The
amendments are being developed in a manner that strives to be neutral
without changing the original intent of the rules. In some cases,
however, analysis has shown that amending the rules of origin to
reflect the new HS 2002 while maintaining their original intent
would result in extremely complex and administratively burdensome
rules. It is therefore proposed that, in these limited cases, the
current text of the rules remain unchanged even though this would
result in changes to the origin conferring requirements of the CIFTA.
See the Canada
Gazette Notice for additional information
Comments on this proposal should be forwarded to the address set
out in the Canada Gazette Notice no later than May 15,
2002.
Canada - CARICOM Free
Trade Agreement Negotiations
Closing date: February 22, 2002
The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians on the
possible scope of a free trade agreement between Canada and the
countries of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM).
It is essential that the Government of Canada be fully aware of
the interests and sensitivities of Canadians with respect to this
initiative. Therefore, we welcome advice and views on any priorities,
objectives and concerns with regard to a free trade agreement with
CARICOM.
All interested parties are invited to submit their views by February
22, 2002.
See the News
Release and the Canada Gazette
Notice of December 15, 2001, for detailed information about the
consultation.
Background information is also available in our section "Canada
- CARICOM".
Canada-Israel Free Trade
Agreement (CIFTA) - Proposal to Amend de minimis Provisions and
to Implement Transhipment and Minor Processing Provisions
Closing date: January 24, 2002
The purpose of this notice is to seek further advice from industry
and from other interested parties on the proposed amendments. Upon
completion of these domestic consultations, the Governments of Canada
and Israel will review the public comments to determine whether
the proposals will be implemented as changes to the rules of origin
in the CIFTA.
See the Canada
Gazette Notice for additional information.
Please send your comments by January 24, 2002.
Canada - Central America
Four Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
The Government of Canada is seeking the opinions of Canadians on
a free trade agreement between Canada and Central America (El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua). The Government believes that
ongoing broad-based consultations with the provinces, the business
sector, and the public at large are essential. See our page "Canada
- Central America Four Free Trade Agreement Negotiations" for
detailed information.
Canada - Singapore Free
Trade Negotiations
The Government of Canada is seeking the opinions of Canadians
on a free trade agreement between Canada and Singapore. The Government
believes that ongoing broad-based consultations with the provinces,
the business sector, and the public at large are essential. See
our "Canada - Singapore" page
for detailed information.
Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade
Agreement Negotiations - March 2000
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced on April 23, 2001
the conclusion of the Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA),
after nine months of negotiations. The CCRFTA was signed by International
Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and his Costa Rican counterpart
Tomás Dueñas, at a ceremony in Ottawa. See our page on "Canada-Costa
Rica" for the News Release and a Backgrounder, the text of the
Agreement, the two parallel accords on environmental and labour
cooperation and additional background information on the signing
and the Negotiations.
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