The United States continues to pursue these issues bilaterally. The U.S. held consultations under WTO dispute settlement procedures in November 1997 to address the issue. Provincial legislation and Liquor Board policies regulate Canadian importation and retail distribution of alcoholic beverages. Canadian customs regulations limit the temporary entry of specialized equipment needed to perform short-term service contracts. Dumping margins in successful cases constitute a significant barrier to U.S. exports.
Various restrictions limit U.S. access to the Canadian market for publications.
The U.S. and Canadian governments have agreed that Canada has a 15-month period to eliminate these restrictions. The Canadian government has said they will be replaced with WTO-consistent support measures. Canadian regulations designed to promote Canadian culture result in certain content restrictions that adversely affect U.S. program suppliers. Under the Investment Canada Act, the Broadcast Act, the Telecommunications Act, and policies affecting energy, publishing, telecommunications, transportation, broadcasting and cable television firms, Canada maintains laws and policies with respect to foreign ownership which interfere with new or expanded foreign investment in these sectors. While foreign investment in the banking and financial services sectors has been restricted under the Bank Act and related statutes, the government has committed to introduce legislation by the end of 1997 to allow foreign bank branching.