Question Period Note: Transparency of the trade agreement/negotiation process

How is the Government ensuring increased transparency for free trade agreement negotiations?

• The Government is fully committed to achieving maximum transparency in the negotiation and implementation of free trade agreements.
• For example, in November 2020, we amended the Policy on Tabling of Treaties in Parliament to add further transparency to the negotiations process for new, comprehensive free trade agreements.
• This includes a commitment to table in the House of Commons a Notice of Intent and Canada's negotiating objectives prior to commencing negotiations.
• This complements comprehensive public consultations with Canadians which are undertaken by the government in order to inform our trade negotiations. A summary of recent consultations has been made publicly available.

In November 2020, the Government amended the Policy on Tabling of Treaties in Parliament to increase transparency regarding the negotiation of new FTAs. The amendments require that the Government provide a Notice of Intent (NOI) to enter into negotiations at least 90 calendar days prior to the commencement of negotiations. The amendments also require the Government to table in the House of Commons a summary of the government's negotiating objectives at least 30 calendar days prior to the commencement of negotiations, and that the Government table an economic impact assessment at the time of introduction of implementing legislation for a new FTA.
The Government operationalized the new requirements for the first time in June 2021, when it tabled a NOI to enter into negotiations towards a Canada-Indonesia CEPA. The Government has expressed its commitment to continue to abide by the amended policy for future new trade negotiations, including with ASEAN and the United Kingdom.
In addition, the Government conducts broad public consultations with Canadians on priorities for proposed trade negotiations. Public consultations include a Canada Gazette notice inviting written submissions, and targeted engagement with provinces and territories, Indigenous groups and domestic stakeholders, including business, labour unions, and NGOs. In consulting Canadians, the Government ensures participation from under-represented groups including SMEs, and businesses owned by women, Indigenous persons, and other racialized persons. Notably, the Government has established a Gender and Trade Advisory Group and an Indigenous Working Group which provide mechanisms for targeted engagement on Canada's trade negotiations and related initiatives.
The Government produces a public summary of the feedback received during the consultations, which informs the decision on whether or not to proceed with negotiations and helps inform negotiating positions. Canadians can continue to share their views throughout the negotiations. Summaries have been published for negotiations with the United States and Mexico, as well as for proposed negotiations with Ukraine, Indonesia, ASEAN, and the United Kingdom.

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