Notice of Intent to Conduct a Strategic Environmental Assessment of a Government Procurement Chapter of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)

Closing date: September 12, 2005

The Government of Canada is currently negotiating a Government Procurement Chapter which is expected to form part of the existing Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA). As such, to reflect its commitment to sustainable development, the Government of Canada will conduct an environmental assessment of this Government Procurement Chapter, and is seeking comments on its likely environmental impacts on Canada.

In keeping with the 1999 Cabinet Directive requiring federal departments to consider the environmental impacts of policy initiatives, the former Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade developed the 2001 Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations (the Framework). It should be noted that the Framework is intended to be applied in a flexible fashion, so that it can be adapted to the nature of the agreement to be negotiated.

For more information about the CCFTA, please see: Background on CCFTA.

All interested parties are invited to submit their views on environmental matters related to the Government Procurement Chapter, which will form part of the CCFTA, by September 12, 2005.

Contributions can be sent by email, fax or mail to:

Mail: Environmental Assessment of the Government Procurement Chapter of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)
Consultations and Liaison Division
International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0G2
Fax: (613) 944-7981
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca