Trade and Environment
Ongoing Environmental Assessments
Environmental Assessment of Trade - FAQ
General
- Why conduct an EA of trade and investment negotiations?
- What guides the environmental assessment of trade and investment negotiations?
- What are the objectives of the Government of Canada’s Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations?
- Who conducts the Government of Canada’s EAs of trade and investment negotiations?
- What are the key steps in the EA process?
- What negotiations are assessed?
- How are EAs of trade and investment negotiations different from environmental impact assessments?
- How many EAs of trade and investment negotiations have been completed?
Methodology
- What methodology is used for assessing the environmental impacts of trade and investment negotiations?
- What are the key challenges for assessing the environmental impacts of trade and investment agreements?
- Why not have an independent body conduct the environmental assessment of trade and investment negotiations?
- Does the Government of Canada coordinate its EA of trade process with the countries which it is negotiating trade and investment agreements?
Scope
- What is the scope of the various EAs of trade and investment negotiations?
- On what basis is the expected outcome of a negotiation determined for the purposes of the EA?
- Why doesn't the Government of Canada approach to EA of trade and investment negotiations assess environmental impacts outside of Canada?
- Why doesn’t the Government of Canada approach to EA of trade and investment negotiations assess social impacts of negotiations?
- Are other countries conducting environmental assessments of trade negotiations?
- How does the approach used within the Canadian government compare with the approach others use to assess the impacts of trade negotiations?
- Does the Government of Canada assess trade and investment policies unrelated to a specific negotiation?
- Are trade and investment disputes subject to an environmental assessment?
Transparency and Consultations
- Who is consulted during an EA of a trade negotiations?
- How can the public get involved?
- How are public comments used?
Outcomes
- How does an EA of trade inform the Canadian negotiating activities?
- How are last minute changes in negotiations assessed for their environmental implications?
- How have the assessments affected negotiations?
- Are the findings from an environmental assessment binding?
- How is the environment considered after an agreement is concluded?
