Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement
Background
Canada and Panama launched free trade negotiations in October 2008. Following several rounds of talks, including intersessional work, both countries announced on August 11, 2009, the conclusion of negotiations towards an FTA, as well as agreements on labour cooperation and the environment (see News Release: PM and President Ricardo Martinelli mark conclusion of Canada-Panama free trade negotiations). Elements covered by the FTA include: market access for goods, cross-border trade in services, telecommunications, investment, financial services and government procurement.
The Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement and two parallel accords on environmental and labour cooperation were signed on May 14, 2010 (see News Release:Minister Van Loan signs Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement).
That same day, the Agreements were also tabled in the House of Commons for 21-sitting days in accordance with the Treaties in Parliament policy. Once the 21-sitting days have ended, the Government can then table legislation to implement the Agreements. The Agreements will enter into force after both Canada and Panama have completed their respective domestic approval processes
Bilateral Agreements
- Text of the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement
- Text of the Canada-Panama Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
- Text of the Canada-Panama Agreement on Labour Cooperation
- Canada-Panama Foreign investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPA)
Related Links
- Panama Fact Sheet
- Canada-Panama Market Access Fact Sheet
- Canada-Panama Services Sector Fact Sheet
- Canada-Panama Government Procurement Fact Sheet
- Canada-Panama Investment Fact Sheet
- Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement Fast Facts
- The Canadian Embassy in Panama
- Economic Analysis: Prospective Free Trade Agreement Between Canada and Panama
- Government of Panama Ministry of Commerce
- Final Environmental Assessment of the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Negotiations
Contact Point
If you have questions or comments about this free trade agreement or the environmental and labour cooperation agreements, we would like to hear from you. Please contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at the following address:
Trade Negotiations I Division (TPE)
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-944-7981
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca
