Vol. 138, No. 32 — August 7, 2004

GOVERNMENT NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE

CUSTOMS TARIFF

Proposed amendments to the NAFTA rules of origin — Domestic consultations

Invitation to submit new requests for amendments to the NAFTA rules of origin

The purpose of this notice is to seek views from interested parties regarding proposed amendments, and to invite new requests, for the liberalization of the rules of origin under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The proposed changes, set out in the Schedule below, would liberalize the rules of origin applicable to tea, spices, carrageenan (food thickener), seasonings, precious metals, speed drive controllers and their printed circuit assemblies, loudspeakers, household appliances, thermostats, parts for various equipment and machinery, and toys.

In a joint statement on July 16, 2004, International Trade Minister James Peterson, United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and Mexican Secretary of Economy Fernando Canales announced a tentative agreement to make these amendments effective January 1, 2005. In Canada, agreed changes will be implemented through amendments to the NAFTA Rules of Origin Regulations.

The NAFTA Trade Ministers also announced that work would continue on proposals to liberalize additional NAFTA rules of origin for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, motor vehicles and their parts, footwear and copper as well as any items for which all NAFTA countries have a Most-Favoured-Nation rate of zero. Further liberalization will also be considered for products that are subject to more liberal rules of origin under other free trade agreements that each country has negotiated subsequent to the NAFTA.

In addition, new requests from consumers and producers seeking more liberal NAFTA rules of origin will also be considered.

Background

The NAFTA rules of origin are used to determine which goods are eligible for NAFTA tariff preferences. Goods containing non-originating materials can be considered North American if the non-originating materials are sufficiently transformed in the NAFTA region so as to undergo the changes in tariff classification that are specified in Annex 401 of the Agreement, which is posted at www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/nafta-alena/ann-401-en.asp. Alternately, some goods must include a specified percentage of North American content to qualify for preferential tariff treatment.

Government notices inviting industry comments on liberalizing the NAFTA rules of origin were published in Canada in Part I of the Canada Gazette on December 20, 2003; in the United States, in the Federal Register on December 12, 2003; and in Mexico, in the Diario Oficial on February 12, 2004. Based on industry submissions received in response to these notices, the proposed changes were developed jointly in consultation with industry representatives in the three countries by the Governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States. The governments will review any further public comments resulting from these domestic consultations to determine whether the proposals will be implemented as amendments to the rules of origin in the NAFTA.

Invitation to comment

In developing comments on the current proposals as well as making submissions for new requests to liberalize the NAFTA rules of origin, interested parties should focus on the impact that the proposed or new rules would have on the products of interest to them. These comments should be received no later than September 28, 2004, and should be addressed to Sylvie Larose at International Trade Policy Division, Department of Finance, L'Esplanade Laurier, East Tower, 14th Floor, 140 O'Connor Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5, (613) 996-5887 (telephone), (613) 995-3843 (facsimile), Tariff-Tarif@fin.gc.ca (electronic mail).

SCHEDULE

Tentatively Agreed Proposals to Amend
Annex 401 of the NAFTA

Tea and Spices — Under the proposal, tea that is fermented and/or tea that is packaged in the NAFTA territory will satisfy the rule of origin. The proposed rules also allow the crushing or grinding in the NAFTA territory of certain non-originating spices such as pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, and dill seeds to confer origin.

Carrageenan — Under this proposed rule, originating carrageenan (food thickener) can be blended with specified quantities of non-originating carrageenan without losing its originating status.

Seasonings — Under this proposal, mixed condiments or seasonings containing non-originating ingredients classified in Chapter 21 may qualify as originating.

Precious metals—gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rhodium — The rules below will allow the use of non-originating unrefined precious metals and secondary precious metals in the production of originating precious metals.

Speed drive controllers and their printed circuit assemblies — Under the proposed rules, speed drive controllers made with non-originating printed circuit assemblies may qualify as originating; the printed circuit assemblies will be subject to a less onerous tariff change rule.

Household appliances — Under these rules, products like personal fans, food mixers, heaters, hair dryers, microwave ovens, coffee makers and toasters no longer have to satisfy a regional value content requirement.

Loudspeakers — This proposal reduces the regional value content requirement level and allows the use of a broader range of non-originating components provided the regional value content is met.

Thermostats — The proposal allows for the use of a broader range of non-originating components provided the regional value content is met.

Parts — In consideration that some parts used to make parts designated for specified equipment or machinery are not separately provided for under different classification provisions, these proposals remove the limits on the type of non-originating inputs that can be used provided the regional value content is met.

Toys — The proposed rule allows for the use of a broader range of non-originating components provided that the toys satisfy the regional value content requirement.

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL

Appointments

July 27, 2004

JACQUELINE GRAVELLE
Manager

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL

Appointments

July 27, 2004

JACQUELINE GRAVELLE
Manager

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL

Appointments

July 28, 2004

JACQUELINE GRAVELLE
Manager

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

BOARDS OF TRADE ACT

Chambre de commerce de Pont-Rouge

Notice is hereby given that Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, by Order in Council dated July 7, 2004, has been pleased to change the name of the Chambre de commerce de Pont-Rouge to the Chambre de commerce de l'est de Portneuf; and to change its boundaries to Pont-Rouge, Portneuf, Cap-Santé, Donnacona and Neuville, upon petition made therefor under sections 4 and 39 of the Boards of Trade Act.

July 20, 2004

AÏSSA AOMARI
Director
Incorporation and Disclosure
Services Directorate
For the Minister of Industry

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

CANADA CORPORATIONS ACT

Application for surrender of charter

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act, an application for surrender of charter was received from

July 28, 2004

AÏSSA AOMARI
Director
Incorporation and Disclosure
Services Directorate
For the Minister of Industry

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

CANADA CORPORATIONS ACT

Letters patent

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act, letters patent have been issued to

July 28, 2004

AÏSSA AOMARI
Director
Incorporation and Disclosure
Services Directorate
For the Minister of Industry

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

CANADA CORPORATIONS ACT

Supplementary letters patent

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act, supplementary letters patent have been issued to

July 28, 2004

AÏSSA AOMARI
Director
Incorporation and Disclosure
Services Directorate
For the Minister of Industry

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DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

CANADA CORPORATIONS ACT

Supplementary letters patent — Name change

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act, supplementary letters patent have been issued to

July 28, 2004

AÏSSA AOMARI
Director
Incorporation and Disclosure
Services Directorate
For the Minister of Industry

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DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE

INVITATION TO SUBMIT VIEWS

Trade negotiators are seeking views on the market access implications for Canadian trade in services of the enlargement of the European Union (EU)

Detail

The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) is one of World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. WTO/GATS came into force in 1995 and provides a framework of rules for trade in services based on the fundamental principles of non-discrimination and transparency. It allows countries to make binding commitments to liberalize trade in services.

The EU has notified its intention to withdraw or modify some of the international trade obligations that it has under the WTO/GATS. Specifically, the EU is seeking to withdraw or modify the trade obligations of the ten countries that acceded to the EU in 2004 as well as the three countries (Austria, Finland, and Sweden) that acceded to the EU in 1995.

The WTO/GATS does allow for the withdrawal or modification of trade obligations. When a member does so, other WTO/GATS members may seek compensatory trade concessions in respect of rights or interests affected by such modification or withdrawal. Pursuant to the WTO/GATS procedures, Canada and other WTO members have indicated their claims of interest and have requested consultations with the EU with a view to reaching agreement on any necessary trade concessions.

Understanding the activities of Canadians and Canadian businesses who trade services in these markets is essential to representing Canadian interests. Trade in services could be taking place on a cross-border basis (whether these services are delivered in person, electronically or otherwise) or via an investment, branch office or subsidiary. We are therefore seeking input from Canadians and especially from Canadian companies who are actively exporting to, or who have investments in Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Sweden. The areas which are being modified include temporary entry for services providers, maritime transportation services, environmental services, telecommunications services, and various engineering and technical services. The existing schedules of commitments of these countries may be accessed at http://tsdb.wto.org/wto/WTOHomepublic.htm.

If you believe that Canada's services trade may be adversely affected by a change of GATS commitments of the countries listed above, we would encourage you to contact International Trade Canada. All individual responses will be kept confidential and only aggregate data will be analysed and released.

The following are a few examples of the specific information sought:

— What are your sectors or areas of business?

— What are the specific types of commercial transactions taking place?

— What is the magnitude of the business activities, including annual revenues?

— How are these services being provided, on a cross-border basis (delivered either electronically or in person), or through a branch, subsidiary or investment?

Contact information

Written submissions may be made to the Services Trade Policy Division of International Trade Canada, electronically at GATS@international.gc.ca or by facsimile at (613) 944-0058.

Enquiries may be made to GATS@international.gc.ca or via telephone at (613) 944-0487.

Date

Submissions must be received no later than September 15, 2004.

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BANK OF CANADA

Balance sheet as at July 21, 2004

BANK OF CANADA

Balance sheet as at July 28, 2004

NOTICE:
The format of the electronic version of this issue of the Canada Gazette was modified in order to be compatible with hypertext language (HTML). Its content is very similar except for the footnotes, the symbols and the tables.

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