RESTRICTED
WT/TPR/G/314
27 April 2015
(15-2222)  Page: 1/31
Trade Policy Review Body  Original: English/French/Spanish
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
REPORT BY 
CANADA  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by Canada 
is attached. 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press embargo until the end of the first 
session of the meeting of the Trad e Policy Review Body on Canada. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  Contents 
1   TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICY ENVIRONMENT .......................................................... 4  
1.1   Economic Overview .................................................................................................... 4  
1.2   Global Market s Action Plan .......................................................................................... 6  
2   TRADE POLICY DEVE LOPMENTS (2011-15) ................................................................. 8  
2.1   Multilateral Trade Policy .............................................................................................. 8  
2.1.1   Doha Development Agenda ...................................................................................... 8  
2.1.2   Supporting Development ......................................................................................... 9  
2.1.3   Plurilateral Negotiations and/or Agreements under the WTO ......................................... 10 
2.2   THE Canada-U.S. Trade Relati onship ........................................................................... 11 
2.3   Regional, Bilateral an d Plurilateral Initiatives ................................................................ 13 
2.3.1   New Regional and Bilateral Free Trade Agreements ..................................................... 13 
2.3.2   Modernization of Existing Region al and Bilateral Free Trade Agreements ........................ 15 
2.3.3   Regional, Bilateral and Plurilateral  Free Trade Agreements under Negotiation ................. 15 
2.3.4   Other Bilateral an d Regional In itiatives ..................................................................... 16 
2.4   Unilateral Trade Libe ralization In itiatives ...................................................................... 17 
2.5   Canada in Othe r Multilater al Fora ................................................................................ 18 
2.5.1   The Group of Twenty .............................................................................................. 18 
2.5.2   Asia-Pacific Econ omic Cooperat ion (APEC) ................................................................. 19 
2.5.3   The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and De velopment (OECD) ......................... 19 
2.5.4   The World Wine  Trade Grou p (WWTG) ...................................................................... 20 
2.5.5   The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for 
Cooperation on Agri culture ( IICA) ...................................................................................... 20 
2.6   Resolution of Disputes ............................................................................................... 20 
2.7   Trade Promotion ....................................................................................................... 20 
2.8   Other Ke y Initiatives ................................................................................................. 21 
2.8.1   Canada's I nnovation Agenda ................................................................................... 21 
2.8.2   Canada's Intelle ctual Property  Regime ...................................................................... 21 
2.8.3   Canada's Life  Sciences Industry ............................................................................... 23 
2.8.4   Canada's Enhanced Corporat e Social Responsib ility Stra tegy ........................................ 23 
2.8.5   Canada's Ed ucation St rategy ................................................................................... 24 
2.8.6   Gatewa y Initiatives ................................................................................................ 24 
2.8.7   Government Procurement Initiatives ......................................................................... 24 
2.8.8   Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management (CDRM) ................................................. 25 
2.8.9   Science-based Approach in Agriculture ...................................................................... 25 
2.8.10   Growing Forward 2 Agri cultural Policy  Framew ork ..................................................... 25 
2.8.11   Sanitary and Ph ytosanitary In itiatives ..................................................................... 25 
2.8.12   Other Agricultur al Policy Initiatives ......................................................................... 26 
2.8.13   Inter-Provincial Trade Initiatives ............................................................................. 26 
3   CONSULTATIONS AND TRANSPARENCY ..................................................................... 27  WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  4   TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................... 28  
5   TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................................... 30  
6   TRADE AN D LABOUR ................................................................................................. 31  
7   CONC LUSION............................................................................................................. 31  
 
 WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  1  TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICY ENVIRONMENT 
1.1  Economic Overview Stronger Policies Support Performance 
 
1.1.  Despite softer-than-anticipated global econom ic activity that impacted international demand 
for Canadian exports, Canada's economy posted so lid growth in GDP, employment and trade from 
2011 to 2014. The economy posted positive real growth in almost every quarter of the review 
period (with the exception of flat growth in th e second quarter of 2011). Over 740, 000 new jobs 
were created since January 2011, of which the vast majority (some 94%) were full-time positions. The unemployment rate continued to decline - from 7.7% to 6.%. Exports returned to 
pre-recession levels in 2014 and stood 9.9% above that level at the end of the year, while real 
growth in the economy picked up to 2.5% in 2014. 
1.2.  In 2011, when Canada last reported to the Trade Policy Review (TPR) Body, the global 
economic situation was uncertain. Sustained recovery was elusive, unemployment high, and a 
global double-dip recession a real possibility. Nevertheless, the 2011 Report demonstrated that, 
guided by Canada's Economic Action Plan
1, our nation's economy was capitalizing on Canada's 
strong economic, fiscal and financial sector fundamentals in recovering successfully from the global 
economic and financial crisis. As Canada's recovery process gathered steam from 2011 to 2014, 
Canada adjusted the Economic Action Plan accordingly. Initiatives designed to deliver timely stimulus were replaced by actions aimed at furt her bolstering Canada's fundamental strengths and 
addressing long-term challenges. Canada addressed the drivers of growth and job creation: 
innovation, investment, education, skills, and communities.  
1.3.  At the same time, Canada implemented a pl an to return to balanced budgets by 2015-16. 
The Update on Economic and Fisca l Projections from November 2014
2 reaffirmed that Canada is on 
target to achieve this goal. Climbing back from the deficit that reached $55.6 billion as the global 
economic and financial crisis peaked in 2009-10, the Government of Canada reported a deficit of just $5.2 billion in 2013-14. Furthermore, Canada's federal debt-to-GDP ratio, already low among 
its peers, fell by one percentage point to 32.3% in 2013-14 and is projected to steadily decline 
over the coming years. Budgetary projections have  it falling below its pre-recession level by 2017, 
putting Canada well on its way to meeting its commitment to reduce the federal debt to 25% of GDP by 2021. Indeed, the International Monetary  Fund (IMF) projects that Canada's total 
government net debt-to-GDP ratio will remain the lowest of any G-7 country.  
1.4.  Canada's strong fiscal and financial fundam entals owe much to its transparent and steady 
monetary policy. At the heart of Canada's monetary policy framework is the inflation-control 
target, which the Bank of Canada and the Government of Canada jointly adopted in 1991 and 
which has since been renewed five times—the latest being in November 2011 for another five years. The target for inflation is the 2% midpoint of a control range of 1 to 3%, wherein the 
inflation rate has been confined for most of the period under review.  
1.5.  Monetary policy provided important stimulus during the global recession and continued to do 
so up to the present time. In line with the concer ted actions of most central bankers, the Bank of 
Canada initially lowered the target for the overnight rate - the interest rate at which major 
financial institutions borrow and lend one-day funds among themselves - to its effective lower 
bound of 0.25%. In mid-2010, the target rate was raised three times to reach 1% on September 
8, 2010, where it remained until January 21, 2015, when it was lowered by 0.25 percentage point 
to its present level of 0.75%. A monetary stimulus that strong and lasting that long has few 
parallels in Canadian history and underscores the commitment of the bank to the country's economic recovery.  
A Trading Nation 
 1.6.  Canada is committed to free trade and depend s heavily on international trade to sustain the 
prosperity of the nation and raise the incomes an d living standards of Canadians. Canada is the 
                                               
1 Source: Canada's Economic Action Plan: http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/en. 
2 Source: Update of Econom ic and Fiscal Proj ection: http://www.budget.gc.ca/efp-
peb/2014/pub/pdf/efp-peb-14-eng.pdf. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  world's 13th largest merchandise exporter and 11th largest merchandise importer. The recovery of 
Canada's trade after the global recession was hinder ed by weak external demand, as global growth 
progressed in low gear. Thus, uncertainty over fu ture demand prospects is still weighing on the 
business investment. Over the past few years, Canadian exports of goods and services have varied 
slightly around the 30% of GDP mark and rising to 31.6% in 2014, while imports have hovered 
around the 32% mark. 
1.7.  It is difficult to grow alone in today' s interconnected global economy. While Canada's 
economic record during the recovery period has been relatively strong, many leading economies 
continue to struggle with weak growth, high une mployment and crises in public finances. As a 
trading economy, Canada has been exposed to economic difficulties in other regions. The weaker global economy, the sharp slowing in world trade, along with competitiveness challenges and 
structural issues faced by Canadian exporters, have weighed down Canadian trade volumes, 
particularly in 2012 when real exports of goods an d services fell by a quarterly average of 0.3%. 
Supported by strong domestic demand, real imports have been less affected than exports. They 
surpassed their pre-recession peak in the first quarter of 2011 and have been trending upwards 
during the review period, while exports did not return to pre-recession level until early 2014. 
1.8.  Canadian exporters are continuing to feel  the challenges related to the valuation of the 
Canadian dollar. The recent depreciation of the Cana dian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar and its 
retreat from parity made things somewhat easier for manufacturers, but only reversed a portion of the past deterioration in currency-related competitiveness. During the review period, the Canadian dollar first appreciated in 2011 by 4.1%, followi ng a 10.9% jump the previous year. The dollar 
broke parity with the U.S. dollar in January  2011 and mostly stayed above that level until 
January 2013. Since then, the Canadian dollar has depreciated, averaging U.S. 89.2¢ in October 2014, the first time it has been below U.S. 90¢ since July 2009, and dipping to U.S. 79.3¢ 
in March 2015. 
1.9.  The pre-recession boom in resource prices has ended, as a weak global economy has 
moderated the demand for resource commodities . Combined with improved supply conditions, 
prices have softened or even declined. Following a drop in 2012, energy prices rallied in 2013 and 
early 2014. The Bank of Canada commodity price indexes show that prices for total commodities excluding energy fell for three straight years st arting in 2012. Metals and minerals along with 
agriculture are behind the decline. Since July 2014, the energy price index has plummeted along 
with global crude oil prices, except for a brief rall y in February 2015, although this latest slump is 
mostly a result of positive supply-side shocks. That decline meant that the Bank of Canada total commodity price index now declined for two out of the last three years (2012 and 2014), with only 
a marginal increase in 2013. 
1.10.  Canadian exporters have faced a difficult decade, during which they were challenged to 
rapidly adjust to a variety of market changes. Since approximately 2004, they faced the dual 
headwinds of a rising dollar and increasing competition from emerging countries. These emerging 
economies underwent a period of rapid productivity growth during the decade that led to an increase in their share of U.S. imports at the expense of Canada and other developed economies. 
Moreover, Canadian exporters weathered a further pe riod of soft U.S. demand as it first slipped 
into recession, and then into a jobless recovery. This prompted the Canadian government to 
intensify efforts to expand Canadian access to global markets and networks, which further diluted the U.S. share in Canadian trade. With China look ing less toward exports to fuel economic growth 
in addition to the unwinding currency appreciation  and a pick-up in U.S. job growth and output, 
Canadian exporters have profited and U.S. shares in total goods and services trade picked up in 
2012, 2013 and again in 2014, and are now back up over 2009 levels, with the exception of 
services exports which are at 2009 levels.  
Investment 
 1.11.  Foreign direct investment continues to be an important channel of productivity growth and 
innovation for Canada. Two–way direct investment flows in 2014 amounted to $117.8 billion, a 
decrease of 5.6% from 2013. The flow of Canadi an outward investment increased by $6.2 billion 
(11.8%) to $58.2 billion in 2014 compared to the previous year. On the other hand, foreign direct 
investment into Canada decreased by $13.1 billion to $59.6 billion in 2014, an 18.0% decrease 
over 2013 inflows. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  1.2  Global Markets Action Plan  
1.12.  The Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP) is Canada's trade promotion and trade policy 
strategy to support the commercial success of Canadian companies and investors abroad.3 As part 
of Economic Action Plan 2012, Canada committed to refresh the 2007 Global Commerce Strategy, 
its successful plan for strengthening Canada's competitive position in traditional markets, 
extending our reach to emerging markets, and re tooling the government's trade efforts to meet 
the needs of modern international business. Extensive consultations with Canadians, including a 
blue-chip, 10-member advisory panel, helped info rm the refreshed strategy - the GMAP - launched 
on November 27, 2013. 
1.13.  The GMAP focuses efforts where Canadian capabilities and interests have the greatest 
potential for success: the major markets of both today and tomorrow. It concentrates on 
advancing Canada's commercial interests in established markets (covering 36 countries, counting 
EFTA and EU members separately), and on helpin g more businesses to engage successfully in 
priority emerging markets (44 countries). These include both markets with broad Canadian 
interests and those presenting specific opportunities for Canadian businesses - "emerging" in this 
context meaning markets that are emerging on th e radar of Canadian industry. While emerging 
markets are generally exhibiting stronger growth  than Canada's established markets, the latter 
still represent the lion's share of our current trade, investment and innovation relationships; 
additionally, the value chains maintained by their multinational corporations open doors worldwide for their suppliers. The GMAP also flags 22 priority sectors where existing capabilities and expertise 
provide Canada with a strong competitive advantage vis-à-vis other countries, or where there are 
dynamic opportunities to grow and develop Canadian business. 
1.14.  The GMAP focuses on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) find success 
internationally, and sets ambitious targets for grow ing the footprint of Canadian SMEs in emerging 
markets. It aims to increase the number of SM Es exporting to emerging markets from 11,000 to 
21,000 by 2018. This would mean that the share of  SMEs exporting to these markets would rise 
from 29% to 50%. To help meet this ambitious target, Prime Minister Steven Harper announced 
on March, 18, 2015, that Canada's Trade Commissioner Service will receive new staffing and 
programming resources to further assist Canadians doing business with the world and to take advantage of opportunities in emerging markets. The Government of Canada is also introducing a new program that will provide upstream (pre-sales) financial assistance to Canadian companies 
seeking to enter or develop new export opportunities, especially in high-growth emerging markets; 
the new program will be designed to respect Canada's WTO obligations, and will draw on similar existing programs in other countries. These initiatives will be particularly helpful in supporting 
SMEs by financing activities such as participation in trade fairs and missions, and market research 
to create new business opportunities 
1.15.  Under the GMAP, Canada will continue to  actively pursue new FTAs as well as other 
trade-related agreements, such as foreign investment promotion and protection agreements. 
Canada has already achieved significant success recently with its FTA negotiations strategy (e.g. Canada-European Union: Comprehensiv e Economic and Trade Agreement [CETA], 
Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement [CKFTA]) by deepening access to foreign markets for all 
Canadian businesses. The GMAP looks to match that success by further supporting Canadian 
companies to take advantage of these commercial agreements and expand their footprint into new 
markets. 
Trade Promotion 
 1.16.  In October 2014, the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, signalled a 
renewed focus on trade promotion efforts ov er the following year. The Canadian Trade 
Commissioner Service (TCS) is at the forefront of  this, offering services to Canadian client 
companies to help mitigate the risks, minimize  the costs and maximize the opportunities of 
international business. The TCS network not only facilitates exports from Canada to foreign 
markets, but also promotes foreign investment in Canada and R&D partnerships, fosters access to 
global value chains, attracts foreign students and more. Trade Commissioners work out of 161 offices around the world and five regional hub offices across Canada. In 2013-14, the TCS 
                                               
3 Source: Global Markets Action Plan: http:// www.international.gc.ca/gl obal-markets-marches-
mondiaux/index.aspx?lang=eng. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  provided approximately 50,000 services to almost 11,500 Canadian clients. Results of a TCS Client 
Survey from 2013-14 showed that 85.1% of responde nts were very satisfied or satisfied with the 
services received. This is the highest rate of sa tisfaction since the on-going TCS survey began in 
2010.  
1.17.  In November 2014, Minister Fast launched the " Go Global: Supporting Export Success " 
series of trade promotion workshops to be delivered in communities across Canada as a key pillar of the GMAP, providing the tools, information and support that SMEs need to take advantage of 
international business opportunities.
4 Through these workshops, the TCS, Export Development 
Canada (EDC), Canadian Commerc ial Corporation (CCC) and the Business Development Bank of 
Canada (BDC) have adopted a whole-of-government approach to reach out to the SME community and promote their products and services to assist  SMEs to expand their export footprint. The 
objectives of the outreach series are also to present the opportunities resulting from the ambitious 
trade policy agenda following the conclusion of the CETA and the CKFTA. 
1.18.  The GMAP announced the development an d implementation of forward-looking market 
access plans for each GMAP priority market, raising awareness of global commercial opportunities 
and governmental support services. These plan s will be updated regularly and will mobilize 
partnerships across the federal government and the private sector to make the pursuit of Canada's 
commercial interests in identified markets a coordinated national effort. A new advisory council 
was also announced, with subcommittees on emerging and established markets, to provide strategic advice on how to keep the GMAP relevant to Canadian businesses. 
1.19.  Finally, the GMAP places a specific focus on optimizing the use of partnerships toward 
reaching our commercial objectives. This means ensuring that the TCS works closely with key 
partner organizations in delivering effective, seamle ss service to its clients. The GMAP also raises 
the concept of economic diplomacy: harnessing a ll of the resources Canada has abroad to promote 
the nation's economic interests around the world. This translates into greater collaboration and 
cooperation between Canada's diplomatic assets, including those focused on foreign affairs, trade and development, to advance priorities in areas of overlap (e.g. Corporate Social Responsibility, 
Extractives, International Financial Institutions, Education/Vocational Training, etc.). 
1.20.  The GMAP is adaptable and intended to be kept attuned to global trends. Other key GMAP initiatives 
 
1.21.  Minister Fast has led Trade Missions to several countries, including Burkina Faso, 
Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, Ukraine, Australia, the Philippines, Colombia, Peru, Laos, Burma, United Kingdom, India and China. The Mi nister also recently led a Trade Mission to 
South Korea, in February 2015.
5 
1.22.  Canada has launched three specific sector strategies: 
• International Education Strategy  (January 2014): This comprehensive plan sets 
targets to attract more international researchers and students to Canada, deepen the 
research links between Canadian and foreign educational institutions, and establish a pan-Canadian partnership with provinces and territories and all key education stakeholders, including the private sector.
6 
• Defence Procurement Strategy  (February 2014): The three key objectives of the 
this strategy are to: deliver the right equipment to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard in a timely manner, leverage our purchases of defence equipment to 
create jobs and economic growth in Ca nada, and streamline defence procurement 
processes.
7 
• Strategy for the Extractive Sector  (November 2014): Building on Canada's plan for 
Responsible Resource Development, this stra tegy ensures that mining and energy will 
                                               
4 Source: Go Global: http://international.g c.ca/global-markets-marches-mondiaux/sme-
pme.aspx?lang=eng. 
5 Source: Trade mission in South-Korea: http://www .international.gc.ca/commerce/visit-visite/korea-
coree_2015.aspx?lang=eng. 
6 Source: http://international.gc.ca/global-market s-marches-mondiaux/educati on/index.aspx?lang=eng. 
7 Source: http://www.tpsgc- pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/stam gp-lamsmp/sskt-eng.html. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  continue to represent an engine of economic  growth and prosperity for Canadians. The 
strategy supports the export of both equipm ent and services in the extractive sectors.8  
1.23.  A pilot Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA) in India was launched in March 2014 to 
facilitate business between high potential technology-based Canadian and Indian start-ups. CTAs 
benefit Canadian companies through access to free office space within existing international 
business accelerators; mentorship from industry leaders, partners and Trade Commissioners in-market; support in accessing financial resources, engaging strategic partners, and refining 
business models for global market opportunities; and greater exposure to global partners and 
opportunities to pursue clients. The addition of the India pilot brings the number of CTAs globally 
to 12. 
1.24.  More than 25 partnerships have been established between the TCS and private sector 
associations to embed a Trade Commissioner within the association, generating increased 
cooperation and mutual benefit in the interest of Canadian companies.  
1.25.  Finally, four new trade offices have b een opened in China, as announced in May 2014
9. 
2  TRADE POLICY DEVELOPMENTS (2011-15) 
2.1  Multilateral Trade Policy 2.1.  The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a co rnerstone of Canada's trade policy agenda, and a 
key forum for engaging with its trading partners. At the WTO, Canada works toward the expansion 
and modernization of the multilateral trading system, which is vital for Canada as an open, trade-dependent economy. 
2.1.1  Doha Development Agenda 
2.2.  Canada has been committed to the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and is disappointed 
that negotiations have not yet concluded since their launch in 2001. It is Canada's view that achieving an ambitious and balanced agreement is in the interest of all members, and that a 
positive outcome for the DDA is especially important in these difficult economic times. The Doha 
Round of negotiations offers an opportunity to increase economic prosperity for all WTO members, particularly for developing countries, by enhancing predictability in the multilateral trading system 
through the strengthening of international rules.  
2.3.  Canada demonstrated its support for the DDA by working together with other members in 
reaching a successful outcome at the WTO's Ninth Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia in December 2013. In particular, Canada strongly supported the Trade Facilitation Agreement and is 
committed to its timely implementation. Canada looks forward to repeating this success at the 
Tenth Ministerial Conference in December 2015. 
2.4.  In 2013, Canada was the world's 5th largest agri-food exporter and 6th largest importer. The 
DDA agriculture negotiations aim to continue the reform process started in the Uruguay Round to 
"establish a fair and market-oriented agricultural trading system". Since the launch of the DDA in 2001, Canada has seen the global trading enviro nment change and evolve and the emergence of 
new global players and competitors. Canada seeks an ambitious and balanced outcome in the DDA 
agriculture negotiations across the three pillars of market access, domestic support and export competition.  
2.5.  As an export-oriented economy, Canada also attaches great importance to improving market 
access for services and non-agricultural goods. All members stand to gain substantially from the 
reduction and elimination of barriers to trade, and Canada seeks an outcome that results in commercially significant liberalization.  
                                               
8 Source: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=905749. 
9 Source: Minister Fast announces fo ur new trade offices in China: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/media/comm/news-communiques/2014/05/19a.aspx?lang=eng. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  2.6.  Canada aims to clarify and improve ru les governing anti-dumping and countervailing 
measures in order to achieve greater international convergence and predictability in their application and to prevent unnecessary restrictions to trade. At the same time, Canada is seeking to strengthen and clarify disciplines on the provis ion of government subsidies (including fisheries 
subsidies). Canada also supports improved transparency with respect to Regional Trade 
Agreements (RTAs).  
2.1.2  Supporting Development 
2.7.  The needs of developing countries deserve special mention, as economic development is a 
key objective of the DDA and at the WTO. To this  end, Canada continues to work with fellow 
members to implement new WTO agreements and address the concerns of developing countries about taking on new commitments. The Bali package reflects this commitment through the 
establishment of the Monitoring Mechanism for Special and Differential Treatment and the 
decisions related to market access for least develo ped countries (LDCs). Furthermore, Section 2 of 
the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) provides sp ecial provisions for the implementation of the 
agreement for developing and least developed countries. In support of this goal, Canada has 
provided strong financial support for trade facilitation reforms through aid for trade assistance and recently disbursed $2 million to the World Bank Group's Trade Facilitation Support Program (TFSP) 
in March 2014. 
2.8.  In Canada's view, achieving a broad WTO trad e deal that will stimulate economic growth and 
secure real development gains for developing countries is central to the Doha Round's objectives. In this respect, achieving a successful outcome to the round (i.e., one that is ambitious and 
balanced in that it takes into account developing countries' concerns) will be essential. Developing 
countries stand to gain from fundamental agricultural reform of world agricultural trade, commercially significant market access increases for goods and services, and binding rules for 
trade facilitation that will reduce red tape at borders. Growth and prosperity opportunities that will 
arise from such outcomes will be further enhanced  by the strengthening of trade rules, which will 
increase transparency, predictability and stability in the trading system. In line with this, Canada is 
actively engaged in discussions in various work pr ograms on issues of importance to developing 
countries. These are highlighted below. 
Special and Differential Treatment 
 
2.9.  The objectives of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) provisions are to foster the 
ability of developing countries to become full participants in the multilateral trading system and to help them reap the benefits of WTO membership. Canada is committed to the principle of S&DT at 
the WTO and has been willing to examine S&DT proposals that make a constructive contribution to 
integrating developing countries into the multilateral trading system. Canada has continuously sought to address underlying issues to ensure that resulting measures are geared toward the 
problems they seek to address. Canada also recognizes the need for flexibility and calibrations of 
S&DT measures, as developing country memb ers have different needs and capacities. 
Aid for Trade 
 
2.10.  The 2005 Hong Kong Declaration confirmed that Aid for Trade (AfT) is also a core element 
of the development dimension of the multilateral  trading system and established a number of 
commitments on AfT. Since the beginning of the Doha Round, Canada's annual commitment to AfT 
has risen from around $350 million in 2001/02 to more than $500 million annually with Canada's 
AfT reaching $774.5 million disbursed in 2012/13. Canada's commitments include those at the global level (through institutions such as the World Bank and the International Trade Centre), at 
the regional level (e.g., through the Program for Building African Capacity to Trade and the 
Canada-Americas Trade Related Technical Assistance Program), at the bilateral country level (through individualized programming activities), and at the level of civil society (through partnerships).  
2.11.  In addition, Canada supported global programs at the WTO. The Doha Ministerial 
Declaration confirmed that Trade-Related Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TRTA/CB) is 
a core element of the development dimensio n of the multilateral trading system. The 
establishment of the Doha Development Agen da Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF) has been 
instrumental in meeting this objective. In support of these undertakings, Canada contributed $7.5 WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  million over five years (2009/10-2013/14) to the DDAGTF as well as to the Standards and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF). Canada also support ed the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL), an 
organization that provides advice, training and litigation assistance to developing country members of the WTO. Canada contributed $2.5 million over  2009/10-2013/14 to help the ACWL continue its 
work. 
Small, Vulnerable Economies 
 
2.12.  Specific challenges confront small and vulnerable economies (SVEs) seeking to participate in 
world trade. Examples are the volatility of intern ational prices for products exported by SVEs, and 
difficulties in achieving economies of scale. Canada is striving to see that their concerns are taken into account by working with other WTO members to achieve full implementation of the WTO SVE 
Work Program and to put in place the foundation for further advances. 
Least developed countries 
 
2.13.  Building on the Doha Ministerial Declaration, Canada has supported the WTO's efforts to 
explicitly recognize the needs, interests and concerns of least-developed countries (LDCs). Canada is working on many fronts to address these issues. 
2.14.  The Bali Ministerial Decision reaffirmed the DDA's objective of achieving duty-free, 
quota-free (DFQF) market access for products originating from LDCs. In Canada's case, a preferential tariff for LDCs has been in place since 1983. Known as the Least Developed Country Tariff (LDCT), this unilateral tariff  preference for LDCs now covers 98.6% of all tariff lines for 49 of 
the world's LDCs. The LDCT, which was renewed in 2013 until December 31, 2024, is among the 
most far-reaching in terms of eligible countries, product coverage, rules of origin and ease of administration. Beyond DFQF access, the rules of origin that Canada applies to LDCs' imports are 
among the most liberal in the world. 
2.15.  The Doha Ministerial Declaration also reflected a commitment to work to facilitate and 
accelerate negotiations with acceding LDCs. Recogn izing that WTO accession will help LDCs in their 
development and transition efforts, Canada is active  in the negotiations of all applicants. Canada's 
approach to LDCs has been to reduce requests to  a minimum and show considerable flexibility on, 
for example, the number of tariff lines, request rates, and transition periods. Canada remains a 
strong supporter of the Decision approved by the WTO General Council in December 2002 to 
facilitate LDCs' accessions to the WTO. 
2.1.3  Plurilateral Negotiations and/or Agreements under the WTO 
WTO Information Technology Agreement 
 
2.16.  Canada has been a participant to the Mi nisterial Declaration on Trade in Information 
Technology Products (Information Technology Agreement, or ITA) since its signature at the 1996 
Singapore Ministerial Conference. Since then, rapidly evolving technologies have led to 
considerable gaps in product coverage, which has prompted many ITA participants to consider the possible modernization of the ITA to better reflect today's commercial realities. Canada was one of the co-sponsors of the "Concept Paper for the Expansion of the ITA" spearheading the ITA 
expansion negotiations.
10 
2.17.  Negotiations to expand the product coverage and number of WTO participants to the ITA 
have been ongoing since May 2012. Canada has been an active player in promoting the 
importance of a modernized ITA, including in the context of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 
(APEC). This plurilateral initiative is in line with Canada's GMAP, which supports the modernization and expansion of product coverage of the ITA, and identifies the information and communications 
technology sector as a priority. Canada has been an active participant in the ITA expansion 
negotiations and remains strongly committed to an ambitious outcome that is balanced and commercially meaningful for global industry.  
                                               
10 Source: G/IT/W/36 (2 May 2012) and G/IT/W/36/Add.1 (14 May 2012). WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  WTO Environmental Goods Agreement 
 2.18.  On July 8, 2014, Canada joined 13 other WTO members in launching negotiations on a new WTO Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA), building upon the APEC initiative. Canada supports 
an ambitious agreement that will facilitate the ac hievement of the green growth and sustainable 
development objectives of WTO members. Canada also encourages other WTO members to 
consider participation in these negotiations, as this initiative will lend momentum to the WTO and 
support the liberalization of trade. Canada believes that the liberalization of trade in environmental 
goods can contribute positively to finding solutions to many global environmental challenges. This 
plurilateral initiative complements Canada's other bilateral, regional and multilateral efforts to 
ensure mutual supportiveness of trade and environm ent, including negotiations in the context of 
APEC, bilateral and regional trade agreements, and discussions within the Organisation for 
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the WTO Committee on Trade and 
Environment. These efforts also complement the Canadian clean technology industry which is an 
important, emerging sector that is providing so lutions to protect the environment while driving 
new global economic, environmental and resource efficiencies. 
WTO Agreement on Government Procurement 
 
2.19.  Canada was an active participant in the negotiation of the revised WTO Agreement on 
Government Procurement (GPA) and has been party to the agreement since its entry into force on 
April 6, 2014. Through the revised GPA, Canada has significantly expanded foreign suppliers' and service providers' access to its procurement markets, most notably through the addition of 
significant commitments from all provinces and territories in addition to several crown 
corporations. Now that the revised GPA has entered into force, Canada is actively involved in its work programmes and new accessions, and remains committed to the further expansion of the 
agreement. 
2.2  THE Canada-U.S. Trade Relationship 2.20.  Geographic proximity and similar business environments have long made Canada and the 
U.S. one another's most important trading partner. Canada-U.S. trade amounted to $782 billion 
(balance of payments for goods and services) in 2013, representing nearly $2.4 billion worth of 
goods and services crossing the border every day. For the U.S., Canada is the top export 
merchandise destination for 35 states. The U.S. is the top export destination for every Canadian 
province. Approximately 2.5 million Canadian jobs  depend on exports to the U.S., while nearly 
9 million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Canada. 
2.21.  In 2014, Canada exported $452.7 billion in goods and services to the United States. In 
perspective, 76.8% of all Canadian merchandise exports went to the U.S., with 7.4% to 
European Union (EU), Canada's second largest market, and 3.7% to China. Top exports to the U.S. include oil and gas, vehicles, machinery, and plastics. Canada is the largest foreign supplier of oil, natural gas and electricity to the United States.  
2.22.  In 2014 , Canada imported $416.9 billion in U.S. g oods and services. This amount exceeded 
the total of U.S. exports to China, Japan, and South Korea combined. Top Canadian imports from the U.S. include vehicles, machinery, oil and gaz. And electrical machinery and equipment. 
2.23.  In 2013, the stock of foreign direct investment from the U.S. in Canada amounted to 
$352 billion, representing 51.3% of total foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada. Total Canadian direct investment in the U.S. amounted to $318 billion in 2013, accounting for 40.9% of 
Canadian foreign direct investment abroad. Canada is the fourth largest source of FDI in the 
United States.  
2.24.  A large percentage of Canada's bilateral trade with the U.S. consists of intermediate 
products traded into the integrated supply chains between both countries. The economies of 
Canada and the U.S. are bound together by cross- border processes that include R&D, innovation, 
product design, manufacturing processes, distribu tion channels, financing, marketing, and after-
sales support. In many instances, hundreds of companies on both sides of the border supply into 
the development of a single product.  WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  2.25.  Canada-U.S. trade has expanded by 250%  since 1988. Canada-U.S. trade increased 42% 
under the Canada-U.S. FTA (measured from 1988 to 1993) and more than doubled under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (measured from 1993 to 2014).  
2.26.  Now in its 21
st year, the NAFTA has provided for the elimination of duties for practically all 
originating goods, facilitated the cross-border movement of persons, addressed certain non-tariff 
barriers and provided formal mechanisms for resolving disputes. Trade relations between Canada and the U.S. are not only supported by the NAFT A but also the disciplines of the WTO. Today, 
Canada and the U.S. are further deepening trade relations through the Trans-Pacific Partnership 
(TPP) free trade negotiations currently underway amongst twelve countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The TPP provides the opportunity to further enhance North American integration and supply chains.   
2.27.  The NAFTA rules of origin are periodically updated and revised to reflect changing 
production methods and sourcing patterns, as well as Harmonized System tariff classification adjustments. The NAFTA Parties are working toward implementing a fourth set of liberalizing 
amendments and updating the rules of origin to reflect the 2012 version of the Harmonized 
System. 
2.28.  The NAFTA Chapter 11 on investment includes dispute settlement provisions. The chapter 
focuses on investors' rights and protections when  investing in the territory of one of the NAFTA 
Parties. Canada has received 35 notices of intent to file a claim under the NAFTA Chapter 11. Of those 35 notices, 22 have resulted in a claim to arbitration. Among the 22 that have resulted in a claim to arbitration: nine are on-going, four were won by Canada on jurisdictional issues or the 
merits of the case, one was terminated by the tr ibunal at Canada's request, four were settled, 
two were lost by Canada on the merits of the claim, one has been inactive for several years, and one was withdrawn before the tribunal was constituted. In all nine cases currently on-going 
against Canada, the investors were either incorporated in the U.S. or American citizens. Canadian 
investors have also brought forward cases under the NAFTA Chapter 11 dispute settlement mechanism. Thus far, there have been eight completed NAFTA Chapter 11 challenges involving 
Canadian investors and the U.S. and three are still on-going.  
2.29.  The Softwood Lumber Agreement was signed  in 2006 to manage the on-going trade dispute 
related to Canadian exports of softwood lumber products to the U.S. The agreement is administered by a bilateral committee and suppor ted by a bi-national industry council. It was 
extended for two years in 2013 and is set to expire in October 2015. The Softwood Lumber 
Agreement is a bilateral agreement and therefore do es not impact trade in softwood lumber with 
countries other than the U.S.  
2.30.  In agricultural products, Canada and the U.S. have remained important trading partners. An 
area of concern since 2011 is that the U.S. is not meeting its international obligations, as determined by the WTO, concerning its Country-of-Origin Labelling requirements that discriminate 
against Canadian (and Mexican) cattle and hog producers. 
2.31.  Although tariffs have been mostly eliminated under the NAFTA, differences in regulations 
still present obstacles to trade, competitiveness and innovation. Accordingly, Canada's agenda has 
shifted to place a greater emphasis on reducing red tape by making regulations in a range of 
sectors more compatible and less burdensome between Canada and the United States, while 
maintaining high standards of health, safety and environmental protection. On February 4, 2011, 
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama created the Canada-U.S. 
Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) to work toward minimizing differences in regulation. The 
RCC Joint Action Plan was officially released on December 7, 2011. On-going work on regulatory cooperation includes the following areas: agriculture and food, transportation, health, personal 
care products and workplace chemicals, the en vironment, and cross-cutting issues such as 
nanotechnology as well as ensuring that regulators consider the particular needs of small business. 
2.32.  The Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness established a practical 
roadmap for joint efforts between Canada and the United States to make the Canada-U.S. border 
more secure and open in the coming years. The Bo rder Action Plan is designed to implement the 
goals of the Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. It directs Canada and the U.S. to take a perimeter approach, work ing together within, at and away from shared WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  borders to address threats as early as possible in a way that supports economic competitiveness, 
job creation and prosperity. The Border Action Plan  includes 32 initiatives that will improve both 
countries' ability to manage security risks, while facilitating the legitimate flow of people, goods 
and services. Canada and the U.S. are currently in year three of the implementation of the Border 
Action Plan. A key achievement in early threat detection includes progress on implementing a 
system to share entry and exit information along the Canada-U.S. land border in a secure and systematic fashion in order to close the loop on a suspected individual's travel history. Progress on 
improving cross border law enforcement has been  exemplified through the deployment of two 
regularized "Shiprider" teams in Vancouver, B.C./Blaine, Washington and Windsor, Ontario/Detroit, Michigan. This initiative enables cross-border maritime law enforcement teams to transit back and forth across the international boundary line, enforcing Canadian law in Canadian waters and 
U.S. law in U.S. waters. With respect to trade facilitation, over $250 million has been invested in 
infrastructure on both sides of the border and the first joint Border Infrastructure Investment Plan, which enhances Canada's ability to coordinate border infrastructure investments at the bi-national 
level, was published in 2013. In December 2014, Canada and the United States finalized a 
significantly expanded second joint Border Infrastructure Investment Plan that details major infrastructure upgrades at the top 25 commercial and passenger land border crossings. The Plan 
was released in February 2015. In addition, trus ted traveller programs are expanding with the 
Nexus program now reaching more than 1 million Nexus members.
11 On preclearance and 
pre-inspection, phase one of the truck cargo pre-inspection pilot, whereby primary inspection of U.S.-bound truck cargo is conducted in Canada, was successfully concluded in November 2013 and 
phase two at the Peace Bridge Crossing at Buffalo, New York/Fort Erie, Ontario was completed in 
late January 2015. As part of the Beyond the Bord er Action Plan, Canada and the U.S. agreed to 
undertake a number of preclearance initiatives, including the negotiation of a new preclearance 
treaty for the land, marine, and rail modes, and a review of the existing air agreement. On 
March 16, 2015 both countries signed a comprehensive Canada-U.S. Land, Marine, Rail and Air Preclearance Agreement. When it enters into force, this new Agreement will replace the 
existing Agreement on Air Transport Preclearance and will enable Canada and the U.S. to extend 
benefits of preclearance to the land, rail an d marine modes on both sides of the border. 
2.3  Regional, Bilateral and Plurilateral Initiatives 2.33.  Under the GMAP, Canada is pursuing an am bitious trade negotiations agenda that targets 
key high-growth markets to enhance Canada's economic prosperity.  
2.34.  Prior to Canada's last TPR, Canada already had free trade agreements (FTAs) in force with 
the U.S. and Mexico (NAFTA, 1994), Israel (1997), Chile (1997), Costa Rica (2002), the European 
Free Trade Association (2009) and Peru (2009). Since then, Canada has concluded six new FTAs, 
of which five are in force: Colombia (2011), Jordan (2012), Panama (2013), Honduras (2014) and South Korea (2015). The remaining one is in the process of being ratified (the EU). 
2.35.  Canada is currently pursuing free trade negotiations with more than 30 countries 
representing over two billion consumers in some of  the world's most dynamic economies, including 
through participation in the TPP negotiations. In a ddition to negotiating new regional and bilateral 
initiatives, Canada is also taking steps to modernize existing FTAs. 
2.36.  During the period under review, Canada also actively pursued Foreign Investment 
Promotion and Protection Agreements (FIPAs), Air Transport Agreements (ATAs) and bilateral 
Science and Technology (S&T) agreements and arrangements with key trading partners to ensure 
that Canadian businesses and their international partners succeed in today's global markets. 
2.3.1  New Regional and Bilateral Free Trade Agreements Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) 
 
2.37.  On August 5, 2014, Canada and the EU announced that negotiations on the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CET A) had been completed and that officials had 
reached a final negotiated text. On Septembe r 26, 2014 Prime Minister Harper met with EU 
                                               
11 Source: Nexus program: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  Leaders to formally recognize the end of CETA negotiations. On the same day, the final negotiated 
text was published on the Government of Canada's website.12 
2.38.  CETA will immediately eliminate 98% of Canadian and EU tariff lines, including 93.6% of the 
EU's and 92% of Canada's agricultural tariff lines.  In addition to tariffs, the agreement provides for 
ambitious new commitments and disciplines covering trade in services, investment, government 
procurement and intellectual property. A joint Canada-EU study that supported the launch of negotiations estimated that the agreement could increase bilateral trade by 20%, raising 
Canada's GDP by $12 billion and the EU's co llective GDP by €11.6 billion (or approximately 
$16.6 billion) annually. 
2.39.  Canada and the EU are now conducting a lega l review of the text, which will be followed by 
translation into the other 22 EU official treaty lang uages, and final ratification of the agreement in 
both the EU and Canada. The overall process from conclusion of negotiations to ratification is 
expected to take approximately two years. 
Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) 
 
2.40.  The Canada-Korea FTA (CKFTA) entered into force on January 1, 2015.
13 South Korea is 
Canada's seventh-largest overall merchandise trading partner and third-largest in Asia, after China 
and Japan. Two-way trade between the two countr ies amounted to more than $11.4 billion in 
2014, with Canadian exports to South Korea reaching $4.2 billion. Among the agreement's most tangible outcomes is the ambitious obligation undertaken by Canada and South Korea to widely eliminate tariffs in all sectors, including industrial goods, agriculture and agri-food, fish and 
seafood, and forestry and value-added wood prod ucts. Nearly 90% of Canada's current exports 
became duty-free on the day the agreement entered into force, and all but a small fraction of the 
rest will become duty-free over time. The CKFTA will also cover virtually all other aspects of 
Canada-South Korean trade, including services , investment, intellectual property, government 
procurement, labour and environment. The agre ement is projected to boost Canada's GDP by 
$1.7 billion and increase Canada's exports to South Korea by over 30%. 
Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement (CHFTA) 
 
2.41.  The Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement (CHFTA) and parallel agreements on labour 
and environmental cooperation entered into force on October 1, 2014. Canada's two-way 
merchandise trade with Honduras has grown 58.6% in the last five years to reach $289.7 million 
in 2014. In 2014, Canada exported  $45.1 million worth of merchandise to Honduras in both the 
agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.  
Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement (CPaFTA) 
 2.42.  The Canada-Panama FTA (CPaFTA) and para llel agreements on labour and the environment 
entered into force on April 1, 2013. Bilateral trade between Canada and Panama amounted to 
$106.53 million in 2014. Canadian merchandise exports to Panama were $95.45 million and imports totalled $11.08 million.  
Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (CJFTA) 
 
2.43.  The Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (CJFTA) is a goods-only trade agreement that entered into force on October 1, 2012 along with parallel agreements on labour and the 
environment. In 2014 Canada's merchandise exports to Jordan valued at $78.46 million and 
imports were valued at $62.52 million. Canada has also signed a FIPA with Jordan which entered into force in December 2009. 
                                               
12 Source: The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement viewed at: 
http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-acco rds-commerciaux/agr-acc/ce ta-aecg/text-texte/toc-
tdm.aspx?lang=eng. 
13 Source: The Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement viewed at: http://www.in ternational.gc.ca/trade-
agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/korea-coree/related-relies.aspx?lang=eng. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCoFTA) 
 2.44.  The Canada-Colombia FTA (CCoFTA), as well as parallel agreements on labour cooperation and the environment, entered into force on Au gust 15, 2011. In 2014, Canadian merchandise 
exports to Colombia totalled $920.67 million and imports from Colombia totalled $891.6 million in 
2014. Canada's cumulative direct investment in Colombia stood at $2.36 billion at the end of 2013.  
2.3.2  Modernization of Existing Region al and Bilateral Free Trade Agreements 
Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) Modernization 
 2.45.  The Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA) came into force on January 1, 1997. This 
goods-only agreement eliminated tariffs on all industrial products manufactured in Canada and 
Israel. In November 2003, Canada and Israel expa nded the coverage of the agreement to provide 
preferences to a large number of agricultural and agri-food products. In October 2010, Canada and 
Israel initiated exploratory talks, and on January 21, 2014, announced the launch of negotiations 
to expand and modernize the agreement. Canada and Israel are seeking to modernize existing 
chapters in the areas of market access for goods, rules of origin, institutional provisions and 
dispute settlement, and to negotiate new chapters in the areas of trade facilitation, sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property, e-commerce, labour and 
environment. 
Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) Modernization 
 
2.46.  The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) came into force on July 5, 1997. Since then, efforts to modernize and broaden this agreement have been ongoing. On 
September 30, 2013, an agreement to amend the CCFTA came into force to include a chapter on 
Financial Services and update existing chapters on Government Procurement, Dispute Settlement and Customs Procedures. Parties have completed the legal review of a negotiated package of 
amendments to the Rules of Origin chapter, and Canada is now proceeding with its domestic 
approval process for formal implementation.  On November 10, 2014, Canada and Chile announced 
the conclusion of negotiations of a new Technical Barriers to Trade chapter. Bilateral efforts are 
also underway to add a new chapter on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, as well as technical 
updates to the Government Procurement chapter. 
Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA) Modernization 
 
2.47.  The Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA), a first-generation agreement that 
focuses mainly on trade in goods, came into force in November 2002. In August 2011, Canada and 
Costa Rica launched negotiations to modernize this agreement. Several rounds of negotiations 
have been held. 
2.3.3  Regional, Bilateral and Plurilatera l Free Trade Agreements under Negotiation 
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) 
 
2.48.  Canada joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations in October 2012. The 
TPP membership includes: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Viet Nam. 
2.49.  Participation in the TPP is a key pillar of Canada's ambitious pro-trade plan and was 
highlighted as a priority in the 2013 Speech from  the Throne as well as in Budget 2014. The 
Asia-Pacific is one of the world's fastest growing economic regions, with a growth rate of two to 
three times the global average. The TPP offers a significant opportunity to engage in the region 
and to boost Canada's global competitiveness. As  it currently stands, the TPP market represents 
more than 792 million people and a combined GPD of $28.1 trillion, and has the potential to be a leading mechanism for regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific. The TPP is an ambitious 
free trade initiative. Participation in the negotiations strengthens Canada's efforts to broaden and 
deepen our trading relationships with Asia-Pacific markets and our traditional partnerships in the Americas.  WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (CJEPA) Negotiations 
 2.50.  Canada and Japan launched free trade negotiations on March 25, 2012, following the release of the Report of the Joint Study on the Possibility of a Canada-Japan Economic Partnership 
Agreement . The Study found that an FTA could increase Canada and Japan's GDP by 
approximately $3.8 billion and $4.4 billion, respecti vely. The Study also found that an FTA could 
boost Canadian exports to Japan by as much as 67%, and Japanese exports to Canada by as much 
as 37%. Negotiations toward a comprehensive bilateral economic partnership agreement between 
Canada and Japan cover all areas including trade in goods, services, investment, government procurement, financial services, trade facilitation, temporary entry, competition policy, environment, and labour. Other areas of discussion  include intellectual property rights, business 
environment issues, as well as monopolies and state enterprise disciplines.  
Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Negotiations  
 
2.51.  Following the results of a Joint Study on the potential benefits of a Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Canada and Indi a launched negotiations toward a CEPA in 
November 2010. Several rounds of negoti ations have been held to date.  
Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) Negotiations 
 2.52.  Canada and Ukraine launched negotiations toward a bilateral free trade agreement in June 2010. Several rounds of negotiations have been held to date. On December 19, 2014, 
Prime Minister Harper and President Poroshenko  expressed a commitment to complete the free 
trade negotiations between Canada and Ukraine as quickly as possible. 
Canada-Caribbean Community Free Trade Agreement Negotiations 
 
2.53.  In 2007, Canadian Prime Minister Harper together with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government announced th e launch of negotiations toward a Canada-
CARICOM FTA. Seven rounds of negotiations ha ve taken place. Next steps are under review. 
Canada-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Negotiations 
 
2.54.  On January 27, 2011, Canada and Morocco announced the launch of negotiations toward a 
Canada-Morocco FTA. Next steps are under review.  
Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) 
 
2.55.  Services are an important and growing part  of Canada's economy. Canada is a strong and 
active supporter of efforts to liberalize market access and establish global rules for services trade 
as Canadian firms are active around the world in a wide range of services industries such as 
engineering and architectural services, energy and mining services, environmental services, 
financial services and information technology services. As a result, Canada has been actively 
engaged in the plurilateral negotiations for a Trade in Services Agreement (TISA), which will 
complement other initiatives that Canada is taking to open up markets and provide legal stability 
where markets are already open but not subject to trade agreement rules. 
2.3.4  Other Bilateral and Regional Initiatives  
Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FIPAs) 
 
2.56.  A FIPA is a bilateral treaty designed to protect investment abroad through reciprocal legally-binding rights and obligations. Canada has 28 FIPAs in force with Poland (1990), Russia 
(1991)
14, Argentina (1993), Hungary (1993), Ukraine ( 1995), the Philippines (1996), Trinidad and 
Tobago (1996), Barbados (1997), Ecuador (1997), Egypt (1997), Panama (1998), Thailand (1998), Venezuela (1998), Armenia (1999), Uruguay (1999), Lebanon (1999), Costa Rica (1999), Croatia (2001), Peru (2007), Jordan (2009), Latvia (2011), Romania (2011), Czech Republic 
(2012), Slovak Republic (2012), Tanzania (2013), Bénin (2014), China (2014), and Kuwait (2014). 
                                               
14 Source: Russia succeeded to the Canada-USSR FIPA as the continuing state; the Canada-USSR FIPA 
may also apply to other successor states to the USSR. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  The majority of Canada's FIPAs are based on th e investment chapter of the NAFTA and share the 
following features: a broad definition of investment, obligations for national treatment and most-favoured nation treatment applied at both the pre- and post-establishment phase, minimum 
standard of treatment in accordance with international law, protection against expropriation 
without compensation, free transfers of investment -related funds, and access to investor-state 
arbitration and state-state dispute settlement mechanisms to resolve disputes. 
2.57.   Since the last TPR, Canada's amended treaties with Latvia, Romania, Czech Republic and 
Slovak Republic came into force. FIPAs with Tanzania, Bénin, China and Kuwait were signed and 
ratified. Additionally, FIPAs were signed with Cameroon, Nigeria, Serbia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali in 2014. FIPAs were concluded with India (2007), Madagascar (2008), Bahrain (2010), Albania (2013), Guinea (2013), Moldova (2013), Za mbia (2013) and Burkina Faso (2014), but are 
not yet signed. Canada has an active negotiating agenda with the following FIPA negotiations 
currently underway: Ghana, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam. As well, there are investment chapters in a 
number of the FTAs that Canada has signed, in cluding: the NAFTA (Chapter 11), Chile, Peru, 
Colombia, Panama, Honduras and South Korea. The investment chapters of the Canada-Peru FTA and the Canada-Panama FTA supersede the existing FIPAs with those two countries. The 
Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (concluded in 2014) and 
the Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Negotiat ions (currently ongoing), both also contain 
investment chapters. 
Science and Technology Agreements  
 
2.58.  Canada maintains eight bilateral Science and Technology (S&T) Agreements (treaty-level) with France, Germany, Japan, the EU, India, Israel, China and Brazil. Canada also has two bilateral 
Science and Technology arrangements (Memorandu ms of Understanding) with Chile and Sweden. 
2.59.  Canada's longstanding S&T treaties with France (1965), Germany (1971) Japan (1986) and 
the EU (1996) seek to foster linkages in science and technology in areas of mutual benefit. These 
agreements facilitate whole-of-government collab oration, serve to strengthen people-to-people 
ties and increase Canada's partnerships with innovation systems abroad. 
2.60.  Starting in 2005, Canada signed treaty-level agreements with India (2005), Israel (2006), 
China (2007) and Brazil (2008). 
2.61.  The administration of Canada's S&T Agreements is carried out by joint committees at 
regular (either annual or biennial) committee meetings. Joint committees are co-chaired by senior government officials and include representative s from government, academia and industry who 
provide advice and strategic direction on collaborative activities.  
Air Transport Agreements (ATAs) 
 
2.62.  In November 2006, the Blue Sky policy was official ly adopted by Canada. Since its 
inception, Canada has concluded new or expanded ATAs covering over 80 countries. Including the pre-Blue Sky Open Skies agreement with the U.S., Canada has now concluded open agreements covering 44 partners, including the 28 members states of the EU with which Canada has a 
comprehensive agreement, expanded agreements with 20 countries and first-time agreements 
with 21 countries. ATAs play a critical role in facilitating and enabling international trade and investment, global value chain connectivity and people-to-people links. They are a key enabler to 
the various FTAs that Canada has negotiated with partners throughout the world and have 
strengthened our people-to-people ties, allowing for direct air links for students, tourists and business people. 
2.4  Unilateral Trade Liberalization Initiatives 
2.63.  The last TPR in 2011 noted that Canada had taken unilateral action to eliminate Most 
Favoured Nation (MFN) applied rates of cust oms duty on machinery and equipment and on 
industrial manufacturing inputs. The majority of th ese tariffs were eliminated as of March 5, 2010, 
with the balance subject to gradual elimination which was completed by January 1, 2015. Canada 
has taken additional action to eliminate MFN applied rates of customs duty on a further 90 tariff WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  items, reflecting additional machinery and equipm ent and industrial inputs cited by Canadians, 
relieving $65 million annually in customs duties. This gives Canada the status of being the first G20 country to become a tariff-free zone for manufacturers.
15 A 2013 OECD study of the trade 
policy implications of global value chains focused on Canada's unilateral elimination of tariffs on a 
broad range of manufacturing inputs, machinery and equipment. The OECD concluded that by 
lowering effective protection in most sectors, Canada's policy is likely to reduce production costs, improve efficiency and enhance innovation in downstream manufacturing industries, thereby 
bolstering external competitiveness.
16 
2.64.  In 2004, Canada enacted a moratorium on customs duties on temporarily imported Mobile 
Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs), a moratorium th at was extended in 2009. Canada eliminated the 
MFN applied rates of customs duty on MODUs as of May 5, 2014, making this tariff relief 
permanent. 
2.65.  Canada has also considered how tariffs affect consumers, and as of April 1, 2013, eliminated 
MFN applied customs duties on baby clothing and certain sports and athletic equipment. This 
represents $79 million in annual tariff relief, coming with the expectation that these savings would 
be passed on to consumers in the form of lower retail prices. 
2.5  Canada in Other Multilateral Fora 
2.5.1  The Group of Twenty  
2.66.  Over the last seven years, the Group of Twenty (G-20) has played a significant role in 
mitigating the adverse effects of the global financial crisis. At the G-20 Summit in Brisbane in November 2014, leaders reaffirmed their longstanding standstill and roll back commitment to 
resist protectionism. This commitment was initially formulated at the G20 Washington Summit in 
November 2008 and has been reaffirmed at each of the London, Toronto, Seoul, Cannes and Los Cabos Summits. At the St. Petersburg Summit in 2013, leaders extended the commitment once 
more to 2016.  
2.67.  In the face of persistent economic weakness across the global economy, at the 
St. Petersburg Summit in November 2013, G-20 Leaders committed to raising collective GDP by at 
least 2% above an established baseline scenario by 2018. Collectively, the G20 Members' 
Comprehensive Growth Strategies announced at the Brisbane Summit contain over 1000 policy actions designed to boost growth. Canada's Comprehensive Growth Strategy includes key commitments on infrastructure investment, enhanced efficiencies in job markets – including job 
matching services and a modernized national job bank, competition in the telecommunications 
sector, and new funding for research and innovation. 
2.68.  Canada's Strategy also includes policies to maximize trade as a driver for growth, in 
particular by pursuing trade liberalization multilaterally, regionally, bilaterally and unilaterally 
through domestic reforms. Canada's strategy notes that it is moving to fully implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), and is a launch donor in support of new World Bank 
efforts to help developing countries with TFA implementation. To further stimulate developing 
country imports into Canada, in November 2013 Canada provided $10.3 million over five years to establish the Canadian Market Access and Capacity  Building Services Project, which will support 
10,000 SMEs and 500 trade-supporting organisations in developing countries. Canada's strategy 
also includes the implementation of the CKFTA,  which is projected to boost Canada's GDP by 
$1.7 billion, and the CETA, which could support a $12 billion annual increase to Canada's economy. Canada's G-20 Strategy also notes that of the Canadian SMEs currently exporting, only 
29% are present in emerging markets, and Canada's GMAP aims to increase this proportion to 
50% by 2018. Recognizing that imports are as impo rtant as exports to Canada's economic health, 
Canada will also further simplify import processing by introducing a Single Window Initiative (SWI) 
by 2016. The SWI will improve import processing for most goods requiring import licences, permits 
or certificates. Canada's border modernization efforts also include further improvements to paperless filing, account-based processing and electronic payment options. These measures will 
                                               
15 Source: Tariff-free zone: http://www.fin.gc.ca/n10/10-019-eng.asp. 
16 Source: Trade Policy Implications of Global Value Chains: http://www.oecd-
ilibrary.org/docserver/download/5k3tpt2t0zs1.pdf?expires=1424442596&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=443922D03C3ADC74C90C1FE68E7778DE. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  facilitate the entry of manufacturing inputs, lower manufacturing production costs, and help build 
economic growth in the Canadian manufacturing sector. 
2.69.  In addition to its focus on country-specific initiatives, the G-20 has taken an active role in 
pushing for the implementation of the WTO's Bali  decisions. In line with this position, the 
G-20 Leaders acknowledged at the Brisbane Summit the need for a strong trading system in an 
open global economy to drive growth and generate jobs, including a robust and effective WTO that responds to current and future challenges. Canada, along with the other countries, agreed to work 
to ensure that bilateral, regional and plurilateral  agreements contribute to a stronger multilateral 
trading system under WTO rules. Leaders also  committed to implement all elements of the 
Bali package and to define a WTO work programme on the remaining issues of the DDA.  
2.5.2  Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 
2.70.  When APEC Leaders gathered in Bogor, Indonesia in 1994, they committed to achieve free 
and open trade and investment by 2010 for indu strialized economies and by 2020 for developing 
economies. APEC members agreed to pursue this goal by further reducing barriers to trade and 
investment and by promoting the free flow of good s, services and capital. Canada has contributed 
toward reaching APEC's Bogor goals through the autonomous reduction of tariffs; modernization of intellectual property laws regarding copyright, trademarks and intellectual property enforcement; 
and cooperation with several APEC members on standards-related initiatives.   
2.71.  Since the last TPR, Canada has continued to support APEC in its goal of moving toward free 
and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific Region, including the eventual realization of Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP). Canada supported, and has expressed its intention to 
contribute to APEC's Collective Strategic Study on  Issues Related to the Realization of the FTAAP, 
which leaders agreed to launch in November 2014. In addition to the FTAAP, Canada's engagement at APEC for the review period included capacity-building for trade negotiation. 
2.72.  Canada's participation at APEC also provides an important forum for advancing the 
initiatives Canada supports in other multinational fora, such as our strong support for multilateral trade negotiations at the WTO. 
2.5.3  The Organisation for Economic  Co-operation and Development (OECD) 
2.73.  Canada actively supports the OECD's advocacy of open markets as a structural driver of 
economic growth and employment. Canada draws on OECD analysis to inform initiatives such as the GMAP and leverages the OECD trade agenda to  promote bilateral, regional and multilateral 
trade liberalization. Canada presently chairs the Working Party of the OECD Trade Committee, is 
actively engaged in the OECD Working Party on Export Credits and Credit Guarantees, and has encouraged the Organization's collaboration with the G20. Recent developments of note include 
work with regard to global value chains, services and trade facilitation. In addition, Canada is 
actively involved in the OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct and throughout its proactive agenda, including its role in promoting the use of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational 
Enterprises.  
2.74.  Canada contributed to the technical and analytical effort that resulted in the joint 
OECD-WTO database measuring trade in value-added terms.  
2.75.  Canada also contributed to the design and completion of the OECD's Services Trade 
Restrictiveness Index (STRI), which demonstrates that services trade barriers reduce trade and 
investment while impairing competitiveness along value chains. The OECD's analysis portrays Canada as more liberal than average in the majority of sectors examined. Canada's markets for 
computer services, legal services and engineering services are highlighted by the OECD as being 
particularly open. 
2.76.  Canada also supported the development of OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators, which 
demonstrate that Canada performs significantly be tter than the OECD average in the areas of fees 
and charges, simplification and harmonization of documents, automation, governance and impartiality.  WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  2.5.4  The World Wine Trade Group (WWTG) 
2.77.  Canada continues to be active as a member of the WWTG – an informal group of 
non-EU wine producing countries that meet twice yearly to identify and address trade barriers for wines. Canada has been a member of the WWTG since its inception in 1996. Other member 
countries are South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, the United States, and 
Georgia. The WWTG has negotiated a number of agreements, protocols and statements on a variety of wine trade issues, including winemaking practices and labelling. In 2014, member 
countries completed a group statement that addresses analytical methodologies that may pose a 
potential barrier to wine trade.  
2.5.5  The Food and Agriculture Organization  (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for 
Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) 
2.78.  Canada has been a strong advocate for adopting science-based approaches to regulate 
agri-food trade and of building countries' capacities to adopt and comply with standards agreed to at the WTO. At multilateral forums such as the United Nations FAO and the IICA, Canada has 
argued that agri-food trade has an essential role in reducing global food insecurity. Similarly, 
Canada has advocated that these institutions help countries comply with WTO standards and build their capacities to be stronger participants in WTO discussions. Canada has also provided voluntary 
contributions to the FAO and to the IICA to fund projects that help developing countries in this 
regard. 
2.6  Resolution of Disputes 2.79.  Since the last review, Canada has been involved in efforts to resolve several disputes under 
the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. In 2014, Canada notified its compliance with the 
recommendations and rulings of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in the Canada Feed-In-Tariff disputes brought by Japan and the EU. In June 2014, the DSB adopted Appellate Body and panel 
reports in the European Commission (EC) – Seals dispute initiated by Canada. The parties agreed 
to allow the EU until October 2015 to bring itself into compliance with the recommendations and rulings. Canada also continues to pursue a resolution of the dispute with the United States over 
the latter's country of origin labelling measures that are under review in the U.S. – Country of 
Origin Labelling (COOL) dispute. The finding of a compliance panel that the U.S. compliance measures are still inconsistent with its WTO obligations is currently subject to appeal. In 2014, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu requested consultations with 
Canada over anti-dumping measures on certain carbon steel-welded pipe, and Canada requested 
consultations with China with respect to anti-dumping duties on imports of cellulose pulp. The DSB established panels in these two disputes on Marc h 10, 2015. In addition, Canada was involved as a 
third party in 14 disputes that were initiated since the last review.  
2.80.  Canada continues to seek improvements  to the dispute settlement system to improve 
access to dispute settlement generally and to make it more effective and efficient for all members, 
while being sensitive to the needs of developing country members. Together with other members, 
Canada has made proposals to fix sequencing conflicts in the dispute procedures, introduce a remand mechanism, introduce a procedure to address disagreements when retaliation is in effect, enhance the rights of third parties in dispute proceedings and provide greater protection of 
confidential information. Canada also shares the concerns of many members that increasing 
demand on the dispute settlement system risks undermining the system's capacity to deliver 
prompt and effective outcomes. Canada therefore supports efforts to place the dispute settlement 
system on stable footing for the future. 
2.7  Trade Promotion 2.81.  Canada manages 161 trade offices in Canadian embassies and consulates located in 
107 countries around the world, as well as five regional offices and an innovative network of trade 
commissioner satellites co-located with public and private sector partners across Canada. The TCS delivers services to Canadian companies to help them mitigate risks, minimize costs and 
maximize the opportunities of international business. Canada's network of trade  professionals 
provides business clients with on-the-ground intelligence and practical advice on foreign markets. 
The TCS facilitates trade and investment, innovation partnerships and attraction of foreign WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  students. The TCS supports Canadian firms to succeed internationally through a variety of services 
such as: preparation for international markets, market potential assessment, qualified contacts identification, and business problem resolution. 
2.82.  In fiscal year 2013-14, the TCS provided approximately 50,000 services to almost 
11,500 Canadian clients and achieved an 85.1% satisf action rate among clients. In support of the 
GMAPS Canada is continually modernizing its TCS to ensure its trade commissioners are well-equipped and prepared to optimally serve Canadian businesses, including on issues related to 
corporate social responsibility.  
2.8  Other Key Initiatives  2.8.1  Canada's Innovation Agenda 2.83.  Globalization and increased trade liberalization have created unprecedented opportunities 
for businesses to diversify and expand abroad, and it has also exposed Canadian firms to 
increased competition. To set themselves apart in today's competitive economy, Canada's most successful firms are adding value to their goods and services through innovation. Canada's 
updated 2014 Science, Technology & Innovation Strategy – Seizing Canada's Moment: Moving 
Forward in Science, Technology and Innovation
17 – provides a framework that aims to help bring 
new ideas and knowledge to market by stimulating more demand for innovation from firms of all 
sizes and influencing more innovation-focussed business strategies. In addition to supporting 
knowledge and talent, the strategy commits Canada to help make it easier for businesses to work with partners, including government, in the innovation system and foster collaboration based on industrial demand that encourages newly emerging as well as established industries to look for 
solutions from Canada's research institutions. It will build on Digital Canada 150
18, the recently 
announced plan to guide Canada's digital future. It will also emphasize the need for firms to protect their intellectual property and enhance Canada's access to global markets. 
2.84.  Globalization also increases pressure amon g developed countries to attract and keep highly 
qualified and skilled individuals and high value- added activities, such as R&D, within their 
borders. That is why Seizing Canada's Moment  also sets out bold ambitions to attract and retain 
experts and leaders needed for Canada to thrive in the global knowledge economy. It further 
strengthens support for excellence across discovery-d riven and applied activities by investing in 
research and infrastructure. 
2.8.2  Canada's Intellectual Property Regime 
2.85.  Canada has taken significant steps to modernize its intellectual property framework since 
the last TPR. More specifically, Canada reform ed its copyright law in 2012 as part of the 
Government's continuing work to modernize Ca nadian laws for the digital economy. In 2013, 
Canada introduced legislation aimed at providing Canada with new enforcement tools to combat 
counterfeiting and piracy. In 2014, Canada ratified the  World Intellectual Property Organization 
(WIPO) treaties relating to copyright. In the same year, Canada formally announced its intention 
to accede to additional WIPO treaties relating to  trademarks, industrial designs and patents. All of 
these changes detailed below ensure that Canada's policy framework is aligned with the international practices followed by our major trading partners, facilitate Canada's participation in a modern international intellectual property system, and ultimately create an environment that 
promotes innovation, job creation and economic growth. 
The Combating Counterfeit Products Act 
 
2.86.  On December 9, 2014, the Combating Counterfeit Products Act received Royal Assent . This 
new legislation will protect consumers, manufacturers and retailers as well as the Canadian economy from the health and economic threats presented by counterfeit goods coming into 
Canada. Its border measures came into force on January 1, 2015. 
                                               
17 Source: Seizing Canada's Moment: Moving Forward in Science, Techno logy and Innovation viewed at: 
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/h_07472.html. 
18 Source: Digital Canada 150: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/028.nsf/eng/home. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  2.87.  The Combating Counterfeit Products Act  will provide the Canada Border Services Agency 
(CBSA) with the authority to take action against the commercial movement of counterfeit goods at the border, and will also include new criminal offences for commercial trademark counterfeiting. It will also allow Canadian businesses to file a Request for Assistance with the CBSA, in turn enabling 
border officers to share information with them regarding suspect shipments. 
2.88.  The value of counterfeit goods seized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police surpassed 
$38 million in 2012, a five-fold increase since 2005. As Canada continues to negotiate new trade 
agreements and expand trade links to new market s around the world, it is imperative that 
Canadians have an effective regime to protect against counterfeit goods coming into Canada.  
International Treaties: The Madrid Protocol, Th e Singapore Treaty, The Nice Agreement, The 
Hague Agreement and The Patent Law Treaty 
 
2.89.  On January 27, 2014, Canada tabled in Parliament the above-referenced international treaties that were developed by WIPO. The Madrid Protocol  allows for the registration of trade-
marks in multiple jurisdictions through a single international application filed with the International 
Bureau of WIPO. The Singapore Treaty  establishes standards and rules related to procedures of 
national trade-marks offices to clarify what they can and cannot require from applicants. The Nice 
Agreement  governs the Nice Classification and is required for accession to the Singapore Treaty  
and to the Madrid Protocol . The Hague Agreement allows for protection of industrial designs in a 
number of countries through a single international application filed with the International Bureau of WIPO. The Patent Law Treaty  aims to simplify and harmonize administrative practices among 
national patent offices with respect to the patent application process 
2.90.  Changes to the Trade-marks Act  that were introduced in the Economic Action Plan 2014, 
No. 1,  will allow Canada to implement the Madrid Protocol , the Singapore Treaty , and the Nice 
Agreement.  This legislation received Royal Assent on June 19, 2014. The necessary legislative 
amendments to the Patent Act  and the Industrial Design Act  were included in the Economic Action 
Plan 2014 No. 2 , which received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014. These amendments will 
bring Canada into compliance with the Hague Agreement and the  Patent Law Treaty .  
WIPO Internet Treaties: The WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms 
Treaty  
2.91.  On August 13, 2014, Canada announced Canada's ratification of the above mentioned 
treaties, commonly known as the WIPO Internet treaties . 
2.92.  The WIPO Internet treaties  provide authors, performers an d producers of sound recordings 
with a full range of rights and protections so they can take advantage of the many opportunities 
presented by the digital world and the global marketplace.  
2.93.  Canada's Copyright Modernization Act,  which was enacted in 2012 and which implemented 
the WIPO Internet treaties, represents balanced copyright legislation that is in line with today's 
international standards. Canada's ratification of the treaties was accompanied by a ministerial statement
19 published in the Canada Gazette on July 30, 2014 to ensure that performers and 
producers of sound recordings from treaty countries receive the same treatment in Canada as 
Canadians receive abroad when their music is pl ayed or performed in public. As of March 2015, 
94 contracting parties have ratified or acceded to the WIPO Internet treaties . These include some 
of Canada's major trading partners, such as the EU and the U.S.. 
The Copyright Modernization Act  
 2.94.  On June 29, 2012, Canada announced that the Copyright Modernization Act  received Royal 
Assent. In addition to implementing the rights an d protections of the WIPO Internet treaties, the 
act gave Canadian creators the businesses tools to compete in the modern digital economy.  
2.95.  This legislation was designed to modernize Canada's Copyright Act to bring it in line with 
advances in technology and international standards, and also to establish technologically neutral 
                                               
19 Source: Statement Limiting the Right to Equitable Remuneration of Certain Ro me Convention or WPPT 
Countries: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-07-30/html/sor-dors181-eng.php. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  rules that are flexible enough to evolve with ch anging technologies and the digital economy while 
ensuring an appropriate balance between the interests of creators and users. 
2.96.  Most of the provisions of the Copyright Modernization Act were brought into force on 
November 7, 2012. Provisions that extend cert ain copyright protections to members of the 
WIPO Internet treaties came into force on August 13, 2014, i.e. the date that those treaties came 
into force for Canada. 
2.97.  On June 17, 2014, Canada announced the coming into force of Canada's new Notice and 
Notice regime pertaining to internet intermediaries, such as internet service providers, included as 
part of the Copyright Modernization Act.20 The regime entered into force on January 2, 2015. 
2.98.  The Copyright Modernization Act  formalized the voluntary Notice and Notice regime, which 
was already used by some Canadian Internet service providers. This regime is designed to notify 
users of alleged copyright infringement taking place at their Internet address. This is the final step 
in implementing the Copyright Modernization Act .  
2.99.  The Copyright Modernization Act  fully entered into force in January 2015. The Act also 
introduced a mandatory review of Canada's Copyright Act  every five years. 
2.8.3  Canada's Life Sciences Industry 2.100.  Canada has a relatively large life sciences industry in terms of number of companies, 
employment and economic output, and is active in all aspects of the sector – research, 
development, commercialization, manufacturing and marketing. Canada is among the world leaders in scientific publications (in quantity and quality)
21 and the development of intellectual 
property in life sciences. Canadian companies, including developers of new technologies and 
specialized service providers, operate at or near the state-of-the-art in their respective fields. 
2.101.  The continued growth and success of Canada's  life sciences industry depends on exports to 
major international markets (from both Canadian and foreign-owned operations) and on attracting 
foreign investment into research & development (R&D) and manufacturing assets in Canada. To 
drive both of these activities, Canadian and pr ovincial governments fund a wide range of R&D 
granting agencies, research networks, institutions and investment vehicles, as well as provide 
relatively generous tax credits and other incentives for innovative R&D activities and advanced 
technology investments. 
2.8.4  Canada's Enhanced Corporat e Social Responsibility Strategy 
2.102.  In November 2014, Canada announced its enhanced corporate social responsibility (CSR) 
strategy, Doing Business the Canadian Way: a Strategy to Advance Corporate Social Responsibility 
in Canada's Extractive Sector Abroad (CSR Strategy).22 The updated CSR Strategy clearly 
communicates the Canadian Government's expectation that Canadian companies demonstrate 
Canadian values and operate to high CSR standard s in their work abroad. It also outlines the 
government's initiatives to help Canadian companies strengthen their CSR practices and maximize the benefits their investments can bring to those in host countries. This strategy complements the 
GMAP and other Government of Canada policies, including those related to developing countries, 
the environment, labour and transparency.  
                                               
20 Source: Copyright Modern ization Act: http://laws-
lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/annualstatutes/2012_20/page-1.html. 
21 Source: Council of Canadian Academies: 
http://www.scienceadvice.ca/en/assessments/completed/science-tech.aspx. 
22 Source: Doing Business the Canadian Way: A Strategy  to Advance Corporate Social Responsibility in 
Canada's Extractive Sector Abroad viewed at: ht tp://www.international.gc.ca/ trade-agreements-accords-
commerciaux/topics-domaines/other- autre/csr-strat-rse.aspx?lang=eng. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  2.8.5  Canada's Education Strategy 
2.103.  The International Education Strategy (IES) was launched by the Minister of International 
Trade on January 15, 2014.23 Building on the successful Edu-Canada pilot project and 
recommendations made by an independent advisory panel, the key objective of the IES is to 
double Canada's international student base to more than 450,000 by 2022. International education 
contributes to Canada's prosperity by promoting exports of educational services and goods, helping to address certain demographic challeng es, and improving the competitiveness of the 
Canadian economy as a result of increased research, development, innovation, and 
commercialization. In 2013 the 293,500 international students in Canada spent over $9 billion in 
communities across Canada and sustained over 90,000 Canadian jobs. 
2.8.6  Gateway Initiatives  
2.104.  The significant increase in imports and ex ports that are expected from Canada's ambitious 
trade negotiations strategy under the GMAP will on ly be fully realized with the support of an 
integrated and efficient transportation system. Through its Gateway Initiatives
24, Canada continues 
to demonstrate diligence in improving its gateways and corridors by aligning its transportation 
policies and investments with international commerce in support of a stronger economy. These initiatives focus on Canada's geographic advantages, public/private collaboration and integrated 
approaches to optimize infrastructure as well as related policy, regulatory and operational 
measures intended to promote a competitive business environment. 
2.105.  Canada, through its Gateway Initiatives, has provided federal investments of $3 billion in 
support of 94 strategic trade and transportation projects, leveraging total investments of almost 
$14.5 billion since 2007. These projects have addr essed bottlenecks, improved the efficiency and 
reliability of road, port, rail and airport infrastructure across the country and facilitated multimodal connectivity and freight movements. Canada will continue to prioritize transportation infrastructure 
as a necessary component of its international trade agenda. 
2.8.7  Government Procurement Initiatives  2.106.  In 2011, the Government Contracts Regulations
25 were amended to improve the fairness, 
openness and transparency of government contracting by deeming integrity clauses to be included 
implicitly in all federal government bid solicitation documents and procurement contracts. Since fiscal year 2004-2005, the federal government has proactively disclosed all federal contracts exceeding ten thousand Canadian dollars.
26 In 2013, the level of transparency of federal 
contracting was further enhanced under proactive disclosure with additional descriptions of what 
was procured in certain professional services contracts. In addition, in November 2014 Canada began consolidating all of its proactive disclosure of contracts sites into one single site.
27 
2.107.  Canada has been party to the revised WTO GPA since its entry into force on April 6, 2014. 
Since 2011, Canada has also completed negotiation of a number of government procurement chapters in bilateral free trade agreements, including those with South Korea and the EU. 
2.108.  The government procurement commitments of the CETA are unprecedented in their scale 
and scope. In the CETA, Canada for the first time offered comprehensive commitments in the municipal, academic, social and hospitals (MASH) sectors, as well as extensive coverage of federal-level and sub-central level crown corporations. The CETA procurement commitments will 
provide EU suppliers and service providers with unparalleled privileged access to procurement 
opportunities in Canada at all levels of government. As Canada prepares for the implementation of these innovative commitments, ways to better harmonize procurement standards by the different 
entities are being explored. 
                                               
23 Source: Canada's International Education Strate gy viewed at: http://international.gc.ca/global-
markets-marches-mondiaux/education/strategy-strategie.aspx?lang=eng. 
24 Source: Canada's Gateways: http://www.asiapa cificgateway.gc.ca/Canadas-Gateways-475.html. 
25 Source: Government Contracts Regulations: http ://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-87-
402/. 
26 Source: The Government of Canada fiscal year runs April 1-March 31. 
27 Source: Open Canada: http://open.canada.ca/en/search/pd. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  2.109.  Within the framework of the TPP, Canada is also negotiating GPA-plus commitments on 
government procurement. 
2.110.  In 2012 and 2013, respectively, Canada procured approximately $15.5 and 
$14 billion dollars in goods and services, and construction services.28 
2.8.8  Cabinet Directive on Re gulatory Management (CDRM) 
2.111.  Canada updated its policy directive to domestic regulators in 2012 through the Cabinet 
Directive on Regulatory Management (CDRM). The CDRM outlines key requirements and guidelines 
during various steps in the regulatory process, as well as international considerations that must be 
taken into account in order to avoid barriers to trade. This includes minimizing regulatory differences with key trading partners and ensuring that regulators adhere to existing international agreements (e.g. WTO Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade or Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures). 
2.8.9  Science-based Approach in Agriculture 2.112.  As an exporter and importer of agricultural products, Canada is an advocate for a 
transparent, science-based approach to internatio nal rules and standards. This is the basis for 
Canadian participation in multilateral fora, such as the WTO, and the cornerstone of the Canadian 
domestic regulatory approach. 
2.113.  Canada supports the development and use of science-based measures to help protect 
human, animal and plant life or health, to advance global food security objectives and to increase predictability in international trade flows. Ensuring consumer protection and avoiding unnecessary barriers to international trade through science-based approaches promotes continued 
advancement in innovative agricultural technologies. 
2.8.10  Growing Forward 2 Agricultural Policy Framework  2.114.  In 2013, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments renewed the 2008 Growing 
Forward (GF) policy framework with Growing Forward 2 (GF2)
29, extending the framework until 
2018. GF2 is funded by the federal and provincial/territorial governments on a 60:40 basis, respectively. The framework provides significant fl exibility for provinces and territories to design 
and deliver programs that address local priorities while supporting shared national outcomes. This 
five-year agriculture program dedicates $3 billion in cost-shared funding toward non-Business Risk management (BRM) strategic initiatives and contains a comprehensive, demand-driven suite of BRM programming.  
2.115.  The GF framework positions Canada as a world leader in food and quality, innovation and 
environmentally responsible agriculture producti on. The GF2 framework represents a historic 
rebalancing between reactive income support and proactive strategic initiatives, including a 50% 
increase in cost-shared strategic initiatives, including flexible programming designed and delivered 
by provincial and territorial governments. It continues to focus on policy areas which will provide the sector the greatest opportunity to derive more of its income from the market while supporting 
innovation, competitiveness and market development.  
2.8.11  Sanitary and Phytosanitary Initiatives  2.116.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is undertaking significant legislative and 
regulatory changes to move toward an approach to  regulation that is modern and adaptable while 
maintaining a high level of oversight. The Safe Food for Canadians Act
30 and the Agricultural 
                                               
28 Source: Annual Purchasing Activity Reports: http://www.tbs-
sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/dcgpubs/con_data/siglist-eng.asp. 
29 Source: Growing Forward 2: http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/about-us/key-departmental-
initiatives/growing-forward-2/?id=1294780620963. 
30 Source: Safe Food for Canadian Act: http: //www.inspection.gc.ca/abo ut-the-cfia/acts-and-
regulations/regulatory-initiatives/sfca/eng/1338796071420/1338796152395. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  Growth Bill31 will enable the adoption of more proact ive and preventive approaches and support 
the shift toward outcome-based requirements. In a ddition, in developing regulations to implement 
new legislation, the agency will continue to seek  close alignment with international standards to 
ensure safety but also allow industry to capitalize on global market opportunities. These changes 
will enable both the CFIA and regulated parties to more readily adjust to emerging risks and global 
trends, promote innovation and economic competit iveness while at the same time safeguarding 
food safety, plant and animal health. 
2.117.  Health Canada, through its Regulatory Roadmap for Health Products and Food , has 
committed to modernizing its food regulatory framework under the Food and Drugs Act.32 This will 
lead to a more efficient and transparent food regulatory system that strengthens the protection and promotion of health and that is better able to respond to advances in science, emerging health 
and safety issues, and changes in the marketplac e such as food technology and innovations in 
product development, domestically and globally. The process of modernization began in 2012, with new "marketing authorization" and "incorporation by reference" authorities under the Food and 
Drugs Act  that enable better responsiveness and efficiency  in the regulation of substances in or on 
food, such as food additives and contaminants, and of representations made about food, such as nutrient content and health claims. To date, Health Canada has made use of these new authorities 
to put in place modernized regulatory systems for food additives and maximum residue limits for 
veterinary drugs in foods. A proposal to modernize the regulatory system for rules pertaining to contaminants and other adulterating substances in foods has also been published for consultation. Moving forward, Health Canada continues to ex plore the use of these and previously existing 
authorities to modernize other elements of the food  safety regulatory framework, seeking to align, 
where appropriate, with international approaches and standards consistent with its broader participation in and contribution to regulatory cooperation and international standard-setting 
activities.  
2.8.12  Other Agricultural Policy Initiatives  2.118.  Supply management is the collective, or derly marketing system under which the dairy, 
chicken, turkey, eggs and broiler hatching eggs sectors operate in Canada. Supply management 
provides competitive producers with the opportunity to receive fair returns on their labour and investments and promotes stable farm incomes. It also provides consumers with a steady supply of high-quality products at predictable and stab le prices, and maintains jobs in many rural 
communities across Canada. The spin-off impact of milk and poultry production and processing 
contribute to many other industries, all of which help support small economies and create vibrant rural communities. Canada adopted the supply management system for milk in the early 1970s to 
address, inter alia , unstable prices, uncertain supplies and fluctuating producer and processor 
revenues. The poultry and egg industries followed in the 1970s and 1980s. Under the supply management system, national and provincial ma rketing boards control the supply of their 
product(s) to meet the demand of the Canadian market using production quotas. Registered quota 
holders (i.e., producers) then obtain a price for their production that provides them with a fair return on their labour and investments. Finally, agricultural tariff-rate quotas ensure predictable import levels and thus maintain the efficiency of production and price controls for supply-managed 
products. 
2.8.13  Inter-Provincial Trade Initiatives  2.119.  The Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
33, a federal-provincial-territorial accord which came 
into effect in 1995, aims to reduce and eliminate, to the extent possible, barriers to the free 
movement of persons, goods, services and investment within Canada, and to establish an open, efficient and stable domestic market.
34 The agreement's negotiated chapters are: government 
procurement; environmental protection; consumer-related measures and standards; labour 
mobility; investment; agricultural and food products; alcoholic beverages; communications; transportation and natural resources processing. 
                                               
31 Source: Agriculture Growth Bill: http://foodsecu recanada.org/resources-news/news-media/bill-c-18-
agricultural-growth-act. 
32 Source: Food and Drugs Act: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/legislation/acts-lois/act-loi_reg-eng.php. 
33 Source: Agreement on Internal Trade: http://www.ait-aci.ca/index_en/ait.htm. 
34 Source: Agreement on Internal Trade – Consol idated Version, 2010, Article 100: http://www.ait-
aci.ca/index_en/ait.htm. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  2.120.  The AIT is an evolving agreement that is overseen by the Committee on Internal Trade 
(CIT), comprised of federal-provincial-territorial member Ministers, who can consider ways to improve the agreement. At their meeting in November 2014, CIT Ministers agreed to participate in a comprehensive renewal of the AIT. Using the existing AIT and considering the desire to ensure 
more consistency with modern international trade agreements, it was proposed that early efforts 
focus on the following priority areas: governme nt procurement, goods, services, investment, 
technical barriers to trade and regulatory cooperation. At this point work is ongoing, with the goal 
of concluding negotiations on a renewed AIT by March 2016. This work will build on substantial 
progress that had already been made, for example, in removing barriers to labour mobility and agriculture trade, and ensuring more enforceabl e government-to-government dispute resolution.  
2.121.  Implementation of the revised Labour Mobili ty Chapter of the AIT, which came into effect 
in 2009, has progressed well. The chapter's provisions stipulate that a worker certified for an 
occupation by a regulatory authority of one AIT party will be certified for that occupation by all other AIT parties to which the worker applies. Prior to the 2009 amendments, regulated workers 
moving from one AIT party to another faced a wide range of barriers such as additional exam 
requirements, re-examination and re-training. There are few exceptions that may be made on the basis of achieving a legitimate objective, such as public health, security and consumer protection. 
In August 2012, amendments to the AIT were rati fied to include coverage of regulated financial 
services occupations, which brought these occupati ons under the provisions of the Labour Mobility 
Chapter. The chapter now applies to all regulated occupations across Canada. Implementation work has also been ongoing to bring into effect th e provisions of the revised Agricultural and Food 
Goods Chapter, revised in November 2010, and cove ring the trade of agriculture and food products 
other than in supply managed sectors. Specifically, revisions have been made to extend the scope of non-discriminatory commitments that provide for free trade of agricultural and food across 
provincial and territorial boundaries beyond the modest number of technical measures previously 
covered. In addition to the strengthened trade provisions, since the last review period AIT parties have ensured legislative implementation in each of their respective jurisdictions to formally 
implement a stronger dispute resolution mechanism for government-to-government disputes 
under the AIT, as agreed by internal trade ministers in October 2009. As part of the new enforcement provisions, monetary penalties may be imposed on Canadian governments for continued failure to comply with AIT obligations. Further to direction from Canada's Provincial and 
Territorial Premiers, CIT Ministers have also been working to develop options to improve the 
person-to-government dispute resolution mechanism. 
2.122.  In addition to the AIT, some provinces have advanced their own complementary 
agreements to further liberalize internal trade in their regions. British Columbia, Alberta and 
Saskatchewan entered into the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, which came into full effect in 2013. On October 1, 2009, the Trade and Coop eration Agreement between Québec and Ontario 
came into effect. It aims to enhance economic integration between the two provinces and promote 
cooperation to address common challenges and pursue further initiatives. The scope of these agreements goes beyond the AIT and includes  enforceable dispute mechanisms for both 
government-to-government and person-to-government internal trade disputes. There has also 
been work to update the 2009 New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Partnership Agreement on 
Regulation and the Economy, which is designed to streamline regulatory procedures in these 
provinces. 
3  CONSULTATIONS AND TRANSPARENCY 
3.1.  Canada highly values the involvement of it s diverse citizenry in the development, design, and 
evaluation of public policies and services as they relate to international commerce. This is 
facilitated through formal and informal consultation and citizen outreach processes and 
mechanisms that are transparent, accessible and accountable. More precisely, Canadians play an 
important role in identifying options and prioriti es in the development and review of Canada's 
international commerce policies, programs and services. Working within and across all levels of 
government, Canada continues its broad-based approach to eliciting the views of the general 
public and stakeholders from business, industry and academic research communities, as well as interested citizen-based organizations and public interest groups. 
3.2.  Canada has a long-standing practice of federa l-provincial-territorial consultation with regard 
to international trade. Canada remains committed to an open and collaborative approach to international trade negotiations. Primarily thro ugh DFATD, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  (AAFC) and other government departments, Canada manages a series of formal consultation 
mechanisms with provinces and territories on international trade issues at the senior official, deputy ministerial and ministerial levels. This approach promotes information-sharing and open dialogue and ensures that Canadian positions ar e informed by provincial and territorial views 
regarding trade in goods, services, investment, go vernment procurement and intellectual property.  
3.3.  Canada also consults with municipalities on  questions relating to Canada's trade agreements 
and negotiations. In this context, DFATD and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
35 
co-chair a Joint Working Group (JWG) on International Trade in order to provide a forum for 
dialogue to enable municipal perspectives and concerns to be factored into the international trade policy formulation process. This is in line with the GMAP commitment to strengthen and renew the partnership with the FCM to ensure that communities of all sizes across Canada benefit from, 
contribute to, and work alongside the Government of Canada toward shared objectives. 
3.4.  On the management of WTO trade disputes, the federal government seeks the participation 
of appropriate provinces and territories when Canada must respond to a dispute involving 
provincial/territorial programs or measures. Representatives of provinces and territories normally 
work closely with federal officials responsible for the dispute and they are often part of the 
Canadian delegation.  
3.5.  Canada also attaches great importance to the role of parliamentarians in developing Canada's 
trade agenda. The work of parliamentary committees serves as the key instrument for parliamentarians to contribute to the development of Canada's trade strategy. Further, Canada tables international treaties, including FTAs, in the House of Commons for a period of 21 sitting 
days before taking steps to bring these treaties into force. This process allows further 
parliamentary debate and review of Canada's international agreements.  
3.6.  Canada is committed to a consultative framework that engages non-governmental 
stakeholders. The Minister of International Trad e's SME Advisory Board meets with the Minister 
semi-annually to provide strategic private sector advice on key international commerce questions and issues affecting SMEs. These meetings provide an opportunity to hear about the challenges 
that affect the ability of Canadian companies to undertake international business as well as to 
provide input on international business development strategies. Ad-hoc consultations are also held to address specific issues that arise. 
3.7.  The GMAP Advisory Council, announced as part of the GMAP launch in November 2013, is 
another mechanism through which the private sector is consulted on trade. The Advisory Council 
will comprise business and industry leaders, experts in international business and key representatives from the SME community to bring together the voices of all businesses, big and 
small and provide strategic insight, advice and real-world perspectives. 
3.8.  Senior Government of Canada officials also meet with the public on a regular basis. Through 
various sector advisory boards, senior business leaders provide tactical input on policy and 
program developments and provide strategic advice on aligning government programs and 
services to industry needs. Non-governmental  organizations and academics are consulted on 
specific issues.  
3.9.  The Government of Canada also consults the public on major trade initiatives, including the 
possible launch of trade negotiations, by soliciting comments and feedback through the publication 
of notices in Canada's Official Journal, the Canada Gazette.
36 Such notices cover a broad range of 
issues, including issues related to goods and services trade, investment, and the possible 
environmental impacts of trade agreements. 
4  TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT  4.1.  Canada's approach to trade and developm ent rests on the fundamental economic principle 
that open trade and liberalisation contribute posi tively to economic growth and development.  
                                               
35 Source: Federation of Canadian Munici palities: https://www.fcm.ca/home.htm. 
36 Source: Canada Gazette: http://www.gazette.gc.ca/gazette/home-accueil-eng.php. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  4.2.  Canada also recognizes that the achievemen t of significant political, economic, social, and 
environmental progress in the developing world will have a positive impact on prosperity and long-term security, sustain a global reduction in poverty, and contribute to a better and safer world. Dynamic, growing economies create jobs and higher incomes and become markets for 
Canadian goods and services. Developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America have shown 
repeatedly that growing the economy is the best way to help people permanently lift themselves out of poverty.  
4.3.  Economic growth, in turn, generates the financial resources that governments of developing 
countries need to invest in the well-being of their citizens. When governments create the right economic conditions, they can spur investment and innovation and stimulate trade. They can produce a fair, open and equitable marketplace in which the enterprises that drive the economy 
can grow and succeed, and in which citizens can prosper.  
4.4.  International trade and investment flows are essential drivers of sustainable economic growth 
and play a central role in broad-based poverty reduction. Canada's own experience of sustainable 
economic growth underscores the importance of op en trade and free markets governed by prudent 
policy and sound regulation. A balanced, rules-based international trading system will support developing countries' efforts to expand their economic opportunities and reduce poverty. Canada's 
commitment to the DDA reflects Canada's trade interests while adhering to the principles of 
development effectiveness and Canada's prioriti es for development assistance. From 2008-09 to 
2013-14, DFATD provided close to $60 million in funding for trade facilitation, including a $2 million contribution to the World Bank's Trade Facilitation Support Program . 
4.5.  Because of challenges caused by a lack of institutional, regulatory and human capital 
capacity, some developing countries need support to take advantage of the opportunities presented by increased trade. In its trade facilitation projects, Canada addresses institutional, 
regulatory and commercial constraints that inhibit export-led growth in developing countries or 
regions, allowing developing countries to benefit from technical and trade-related development assistance. 
4.6.  Through Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 on March 21, 2013, Canada announced the 
amalgamation of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). Since that  time DFATD has worked to facilitate a more 
coherent approach to Canadian international policy, support the achievement of Canada's 
international goals, as well as provide improved outcomes for Canadians through more efficient, 
effective and targeted programming. 
4.7.  In support of the Canada's Economic Action Plan, Canada's pro-trade plan commits the 
Government of Canada to expanding and enhancing Canada's trade relations, including through 
bilateral and regional trade agreements. In suppo rt of this, the Minister of Foreign Affairs 
announced the establishment of the Canadian Trade and Development Facility (CTDF) in 
June 2014. The CTDF will compliment Canada's Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy, which 
serves as one of the first examples of DFATD's focus on trade and development policy coherence. 
The objective of the CTDF is to help developing  country partners negotiate, implement, benefit 
from and adapt to free trade agreements or foreign investment promotion and protection 
agreements with Canada and offers a suite of mechanisms that can be deployed, on a responsive 
basis, to provide assistance to developing partner countries. The CTDF will provide up to 
$25 million per year, and will do so over 5 years. 
4.8.  In support of a renewed focus on trade and development, Canada has also developed a 
number of other trade related mechanisms. For example, the Canada-Asia Trade and Investment 
for Growth Program  (TRIGR) is a responsive and directive technical assistance program with 
annual budget of $20 million designed with a focus on trade and investment in support of 
sustainable economic growth and poverty reductio n through engagement with the private sector. 
Some programming areas include, for example, local private access to finance, public-private partnerships for infrastructure, trade facilitation, business development, regional integration, 
agribusiness and extractives. Other trade-related initiatives include the Facilitating Exports to 
Canada for Sustainable Economic Growth  delivered by Trade Facilitation Office Canada, and the 
Canada-Americas Trade-Related Technical Assistance Program (CATRTA)  addressing 
FTA implementation needs in Latin America. CATRTA's budget was set at $17 million dollars over 
5 years. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  4.9.  Canada will continue to use its development assistance programming to provide trade-related 
assistance and support the GMAP. This support is an important element that delivers on Canada's 
Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy - with its emphasis on building economic foundations, growing businesses and investing in people - aims for concrete results that will make a significant 
and sustainable difference in reducing global poverty.  
4.10.  As of January 1, 2015, Canada modernized its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) 
regime, known as the General Preferential Tariff (GPT), to ensure that it is appropriately aligned 
with the current global landscape and similar programs in other GSP-granting countries. The GPT 
was extended by legislation for another ten years until December 31, 2024. Canada also realigned the scope of the program so as to target the benefits of the program to the counties most in need of this type of assistance.  
5  TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT  
5.1.  Canada continues to show leadership in its commitment to the mutual supportiveness 
between trade and environmental protection object ives and policies, including in the context of 
multilateral, regional and bilateral dialogue, cooperation, engagement, negotiations and 
agreements. This commitment is reflected in all of Canada's recently concluded FTAs, including its agreements with the EU and with South Korea, which include ambitious, binding environmental 
obligations.  
5.2.  The CETA's Trade and Environment Chapter provisions, consistent with Canada's existing 
environment agreements negotiated in parallel to FTAs, include commitments to foster good 
environmental governance, effectively enforce environmental laws, not waive or derogate from 
those laws in order to promote trade or investment, and promote public participation and 
transparency. In addition, the CETA expands the areas Canada traditionally covers in its environmental provisions by recognizing the importance of managing forests, fisheries and 
aquaculture in a sustainable way. The CKFTA reinforces this evolution by also including a Trade 
and Environment chapter in the FTA. 
5.3.  Canada also continues to pursue cooperation and dialogue on environmental matters of 
shared interest through the cooperative framewor ks established in its environment agreements 
negotiated in parallel to FTAs. In the contex t of these agreements, Canada has engaged in 
cooperation activities focusing on themes such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, contaminated sites management and environmental enforcement, with a view to strengthening 
environmental governance frameworks and enhancing collaboration and information sharing. 
Moreover, in support of global efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and its negative environmental and economic impacts, Canada is working toward ratification of the Food 
and Agriculture Organization's Port State Measures Agreement in a timely manner.  
5.4.  Canada believes that market-based solutions, including the free flow of environmental goods 
and services, are important to achieve sustainable development. Canada has actively contributed 
to the work of the WTO Committee on Trade and En vironment, both by advancing the regular work 
of the Committee and by seeking to fulfil its negotiating mandate under the DDA. In order to 
address global environmental challenges, Canada is working collaboratively with international 
partners to reduce and, as appropriate, eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers on key 
environmental goods, including sustainable or clean technology goods in addition to the 
liberalization of environmental services. For ex ample, Canada has fully implemented, two years 
ahead of the deadline, the APEC commitment to li beralize trade in a list of 54 environmental goods 
by capping applied tariffs at 5%. Drawing on this APEC initiative as well as past work within the 
WTO, Canada worked with other WTO members to launch new plurilateral negotiations on a WTO 
Environmental Goods Agreement on July 8, 2014. Canada actively supports an ambitious outcome 
to this negotiation, which if concluded, would complement green growth and sustainable 
development objectives of WTO members.  
5.5.  Additionally, Canada is a strong proponen t of further liberalization in the environmental 
services sector in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations as well as through other 
international initiatives. WT/TPR/G/314 • Canada 
 
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  Environmental Assessments  
 5.6.  Furthermore, Canada continues to ensure  the environmental sustainability of its trade 
negotiations by conducting Strategic Environmenta l Assessments (SEAs) of trade negotiations and 
agreements. The development of SEAs ensures mutually supportive trade and environmental 
outcomes, in accordance with the Cabinet Direct ive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, 
Plan and Program Proposals.
37 These SEAs are consulted fully throughout the negotiations phase 
with the interdepartmental, academic, NGO and private sector communities. 
6  TRADE AND LABOUR  6.1.  Canada addresses the labour dimensions of economic integration and the promotion of 
respect for fundamental labour principles and righ ts through the negotiation and implementation of 
Labour Cooperation Agreements (LCAs) and/or labour chapters within FTAs (LCFTAs) with its free 
trade partners. To date, Canada is signatory to the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation with the U.S. and Mexico, the Canada -Chile Agreement on Labour Cooperation, the 
Canada-Colombia Agreement on Labour Cooperation,  the Canada-Costa Rica Agreement on Labour 
Cooperation, the Canada-Honduras Agreement on Labour Cooperation, the Canada-Jordan Agreement on Labour Cooperation, the Canada-Panama Agreement on Labour Cooperation and the 
Canada-Peru Agreement on Labour Cooperation. In addition, Canada is signatory to the 
Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement and has completed negotiations for the Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, both of which include a labour chapter rather than stand-alone LCAs. Labour provisions negotiated in the context of Canada's trade 
agreements and placed either in a separate stan d-alone LCA or in a chapter of the FTA seek to 
improve working conditions and living standards in the signatory countries and to protect and 
enhance basic workers' rights.  
6.2.  Canada's perspective on policy coherence in the area of trade, employment and labour is also 
demonstrated through support for multilateral processes. Since the 2001 Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Canada has championed the promotion of core labour standards and better 
working conditions, as well as improvement of the institutional capacity of labour ministries in the 
hemisphere through the Inter-American Conference  of Ministers of Labour which operates under 
the Organization of American States. Canada also supports the work of the International Labour Organization, including the promotion and realization of the Decent Work Agenda. 
6.3.  The Government of Canada's International Trade and Labour stream of the Labour Funding 
Program provides financial support for Canada to enter into cooperative activities and provide technical assistance to support the implementa tion and enforcement of the labour-related 
commitments set out in LCAs and LCFTAs and in cooperative frameworks with other countries. 
Funding priority is generally given to countries that have signed an LCA or LCFTA with Canada, followed by countries involved in active LCA negotiations and countries of national interest. The 
yearly budget for this stream is approximately $1.1 million.  
7  CONCLUSION  
7.1.  Trade continues to define Canada's economic prosperity. Canada has emerged from the 
global economic recession with a focus on actions that bolster the drivers of growth and job 
creation: innovation, investment, education, skills and communities. Canada's current and future 
prosperity depends on an international framework of rules that provides access to growing world 
markets and keeps pace with changes in  technology and business practices.  
7.2.  To enhance Canada's competitive edge in an increasingly interdependent global economy, 
Canada is pursuing deeper trade and investment ties with many of the largest, most dynamic and 
fastest-growing markets in the world. It is through this ambitious pro-trade and pro-investment 
strategy that Canada is working to further liberalize trade and investment, keep markets open, 
and prevent new protectionist measures. 
__________  
                                               
37 Source: Privy Council Office and Canadian Environm ental Assessment Agency – Cabinet Directive for 
the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan, and Program Proposals: https://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=en&n=B3186435-1.