Canada-Andean Countries - Free Trade Discussions
Background
In August, 2002, theMinister for International Trade announced that Canada and the Andean countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) had agreed to begin exploratory discussions towards a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Given that not all Andean Community countries were in a position to move forward on FTA negotiations at the same time, Canada worked toward FTAs with Colombia and Peru.
As part of the exploratory discussions, the Minister for International Trade launched extensive domestic consultations with business, citizen-based organizations and individual Canadians, as well as with the provincial and territorial governments, to obtain advice and views on priorities, objectives and concerns to help define the possible scope of this initiative. (For more information, see the Canada Gazette Notice – December 20, 2002). Consultations indicated broad support for an FTA.
On June 7, 2007, The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade, announced the launch of free trade negotiations between Canada and Colombia and Peru.
Negotiations took place on a wide range of issues, including on trade in goods, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade facilitation, non-tariff measures, cross-border trade in services, financial services, temporary entry, investment, government procurement, trade-related cooperation, competition, intellectual property, e-commerce, dispute settlement and institutional provisions. In keeping with Canada's approach to FTA negotiations, Canada sought to address the social dimensions of economic integration through the negotiation of provisions on labour and environment.
Canada remains interested in strengthening trade and investment ties with all members of the Andean Community. Canada and Ecuador have agreed to continue discussion, and explore the possibility of a broader initiative in the future. Canada continues to expand commercial relations with Bolivia and remains open to the possibility of further discussions on the possibility of an FTA with Bolivia at a later date.
Status of Negotiations
On August 1, 2009 the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement, Labour Cooperation Agreement and Agreement on the Environment entered into force.
On March 26, 2009, the Government of Canada introduced legislation to implement the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, as well as Agreements on Labour Cooperation and the Environment, in the House of Commons. Once this legislation is passed and it receives Royal Assent from the Queen’s Representative, the Governor General, the Government of Canada will be in a position to implement these Agreements at an agreed upon date with the Government of Colombia.
General Information
- An FTA with the Andean Community countries of Colombia and Peru: Qualitative Economic Analysis
(html | pdf 206kb) Initial Environmental Assessment Report – Canada-Andean Community Free Trade Negotiations (January 2008)
(html | pdf 267 kb)
Contact Point
If you have questions or comments about this initiative we would like to hear from you. Please contact Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada at:
Trade Negotiations II Division (TPW)
Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 promenade Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-944-3489
E-mail : consultations@international.gc.ca
