International Trade Agreements and Local Government

A Guide For Canadian Municipalities

This Guide to Canada’s international trade agreements was developed by Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada at the request of and in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

This Guide is intended for use by municipal officials as a consolidated source of information about Canada’s international trade agreements and as a practical tool for assessing whether and how provisions in those agreements might be relevant to particular municipal programs and activities.

Table of Contents

• Summary Guide
• Complete Guide
  • Introduction
  • Part I - Key Provisions of the WTO Agreements and NAFTA in Greater Detail
  • Part II - Assessing the Status of Municipal Measures Under Canada’s Trade Agreements
    • Annex A: Canada's Free Trade Agreements and Negotiations: An Overview
    • Annex B: Overview of NAFTA Chapter 11 Substantive Provisions
    • Annex C: Glossary of Terms
    • Annex D: List of Useful Contacts
    • Annex E: General Steps in Preparing for Negotiating, Implementing and Managing Free Trade Agreements
• Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Point

If you have questions or comments, please contact Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada at:

Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-995-6576
Email: Municipalguide@international.gc.ca