The Council for Trade in Service is empowered to set up review panels to assess whether qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards and licensing requirements constitute unnecessary barriers to trade in services. Libraries are unique social organizations dedicated to providing the broadest range of information and ideas to the public regardless of age, religion, social status, race, gender or language. The CLA Intellectual Freedom Statement and the CLA Information and Telecommunication Access Principles are the basis for assuring that the goals of diversity and access are achieved. Public libraries provide free circulation of books and material, reference services and other services to all residents of their jurisdiction. Post-secondary libraries provide access to the great intellectual and research traditions in concert with the vision and mission of their institutions.
School libraries provide books, materials and training to support the school curriculum.
To strengthen opposition to those WTO policies which may adversely affect the public sector in Canada, specifically those affecting libraries. The WTO meetings in Seattle afford an opportunity to build links with other opponents at both the national and international level who support libraries and a strong public sector. To promote the importance of libraries as the central public institutions for the collection and distribution of the historical, cultural and intellectual record of civilization in the service of the public and their educational institutions. Libraries enrich and inspire through providing access to the broadest possible range of information and ideas while encouraging democratic discussion and social participation. To participate in an active international alliance of libraries through a development and cohesion of joint policies and educational and lobbying efforts.