Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
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Canada - European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
On July 2, 2009, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced that, on July 1, 2009, the free trade agreement (FTA) signed by Canada and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland entered into force. (News Release). Also entering into force at the same time as the FTA were three associated bilateral agreements on agriculture with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, with the Canada-Switzerland bilateral agreement covering Liechtenstein.
On April 29, 2009, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced that legislation to implement the free trade agreement (FTA) signed by Canada and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland received Royal Assent. Canada will provide official notification to its EFTA partners in order for the Agreement to come into force on July 1, 2009. (News Release).
On January 28, 2009, Minister Day tabled in the House of Commons legislation to implement the Canada-EFTA FTA and the three associated Bilateral Agreements on Agriculture with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland (News Release).
On June 7, 2007, Canada and the EFTA countries announced the conclusion of free trade agreement negotiations, and on January 26, 2008, the FTA and associated Bilateral Agricultural Agreements were signed on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (News Release). The Agreements were tabled in the House of Commons on February 14, 2008, for 21 sitting days under the new Treaties in Parliament policy, which affords Parliament the opportunity to review proposed international treaties.
The Government of Canada announced the launch of negotiations with the EFTA countries on October 9, 1998 (News Release) following extensive consultations to gauge Canadians' interests and sensitivities. A free trade agreement with EFTA was supported by a broad cross-section of Canadian stakeholders.
The Canada-EFTA FTA is a “first-generation” agreement with an emphasis on tariff elimination. It does not include substantial new obligations in areas such as services, investment, and intellectual property.
The EFTA countries are significant economic partners for Canada. In 2008, two-way merchandise trade was valued at $13.2 billion, including Canadian exports of $4.2 billion. In addition, two-way investment stocks with Norway and Switzerland reached $28.4 billion in 2008.
If you have questions or comments about this initiative we would like to hear from you. Please contact Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada at:
Regional Trade Policy Division (TBB)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 promenade Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-944-3489
E-mail : consultations@international.gc.ca
