This document is produced annually for the Canadian Council of International Law (CCIL) Annual Conference by the Legal Affairs Branch at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). It illustrates the wide scope of international law affecting Canada’s international relations. The document contains issues such as migratory fish stocks, global climate change, cloning, international courts and tribunals, tobacco control, transnational organized crime and WTO and NAFTA trade tribunals.

International law deals with the legal principles governing the relationships between states, international organizations, multinational enterprises, non-governmental organizations and individuals. The practice of international law has become increasingly dynamic and contributes to the development of an international rules-based system which is a pillar of Canadian foreign policy and international trade.

Learn more on international laws and Canada's involvement by clicking on the links below.

I. OCEANS LAW
A. UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA
B. FISHERIES
C. OTHER

II. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
A. BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION (ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE AGREEMENTS)

B. BOUNDARY WATERS
C. KYOTO PROTOCOL TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
D. THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
E. CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY

F. INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
G. THE PROTOCOL ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO THE ANTARCTIC TREATY

H. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

III. ECONOMIC LAW
A. ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
B. INTERNATIONAL SPACE LAW
C. DISARMAMENT AND NON-PROLIFERATION
D. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

IV. INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW
A. INTERNATIONAL COURTS AND TRIBUNALS

V. HUMANITARIAN LAW
A. SAFETY OF UNITED NATIONS AND ASSOCIATED PERSONNEL
B. PROTOCOL ADDITIONAL TO THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS OF 12 AUGUST 1949, AND RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF AN ADDITIONAL DISTINCTIVE EMBLEM
C. PROTECTION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY IN THE EVENT OF ARMED CONFLICT

VI. HUMAN RIGHTS
A. RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
B. ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY
C. ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
D. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

E. RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

VII. TREATY LAW
A. BILTERAL TREATIES
B. MULTILATERAL TREATIES

VIII. TRADE LAW
A. RECENT CASES DECIDED BY WTO PANELS OR THE WTO APPELLATE BODY IN WHICH CANADA WAS A PARTY
B. CANADA AND NAFTA CHAPTER 11: RECENT CASES WITH CANADA AS A DISPUTING PARTY
C. OTHER TRADE LAW DEVELOPMENTS INVOLVING CANADA