Grants and Contributions:

Canada’s annual assessed contribution is a legally binding obligation of membership and a non-discretionary expenditure.

The WTO is the cornerstone of Canadian trade policy and provides a forum to advance our relations with established and potential trading partners around the globe, including emerging markets and other developing countries. Canada’s membership in the WTO helps to ensure that an international rules-based framework is maintained. Membership also helps Canada to manage its trade relations and achieve its objectives for further economic growth by providing a forum for negotiating trade rights and responsibilities, for negotiating market access for goods and services, for monitoring the implementation of obligations and commitments under various agreements, for the review of Members’ trade policies and practices, and for settling disputes between Members. Canada's participation in the WTO also reflects the objectives identified in Canada's Global Commerce Strategy such as expanding Canadian access to global markets and networks, especially in priority markets, and strengthening Canada's international commercial network. The Global Commerce Strategy constitutes the Government of Canada's plan to promote Canadian prosperity in a complex global economy. Also, Canada’s membership to the WTO is aligned with DFATD strategic direction as outlined in its department's Program Activity Architecture (PAA). It contributes directly to achieve DFATD’s strategic outcome: Canada’s International Agenda.
Canada’s interest in the ISA relates both to governance and the interest of the private sector. Being part of the ISA allows Canada to have a voice in its deliberations. Inter alia, this means a role in the development of rules for activities in the Area, the ability to sponsor an application (eg: by a Canadian company) for activities in the Area, participation in determining which activities in the Area may proceed and a say in the eventual disposition of royalties and production payments made to the ISA.