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Public consultation:
Consulting Canadians on a possible Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement

How do I participate?

The government is seeking the views of all interested Canadians. There are different ways you can participate in these consultations.

You can provide a written submission in response to the Canada Gazette notice until October 16, 2018, using one of these options:

  1. Send your submission or any questions by email: CanadaASEAN-ANASE.Consultations@international.gc.ca
  2. Send your submissions or any questions by mail to:
     
    Canada–ASEAN trade consultations
    Global Affairs Canada
    Trade Policy and Negotiations Division (TCA)
    Lester B. Pearson Building
    125 Sussex Drive
    Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2

Please read the privacy notice statement carefully prior to sending a written submission. With the provision of your personal opinion(s), we ask that you refrain from including the personal information of other individuals.

Current status: Closed

This consultation ran from September 1 to October 16, 2018

Consulting with Canadians

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional bloc comprised of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. ASEAN represents a significant economic presence in Southeast Asia and a considerable market for Canadians.  

Promoting trade and investment with emerging markets is a priority for the Government of Canada. The government's approach is one that puts the interests of Canadians and opportunities for the middle class, women, youth and Indigenous people, front and centre.

On September 8, 2017, during the 6th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM)-Canada Consultation in Manila, Philippines, Canada and ASEAN agreed to launch exploratory discussions to examine the potential for a Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Government of Canada is seeking the views of the Canadian public and interested Canadian stakeholders on the scope of potential negotiations toward a possible FTA with ASEAN.

Information on the consultations

Why is Canada holding consultations on a possible Canada-ASEAN FTA?

We want to hear from you. We need to hear your ideas, your experiences, and your priorities in relation to a possible FTA with ASEAN through these consultations.

These consultations will seek the views of Canadians to help define Canada’s interests in a possible free trade agreement, and identify opportunities for such an agreement to create wealth, innovation and jobs for Canadians.

Who is invited to participate?

We want to hear the views of all Canadians, including:

What will be the focus of consultations?

The focus of consultations is to determine how Canada should best proceed regarding a possible FTA with ASEAN. This would include how to best improve market access, legal certainty and transparency for Canadian business, but also to understand any other related issues and concerns that are relevant when considering a possible FTA.

A Canada Gazette notice on consultations on a possible Canada-ASEAN FTA provides background information on this initiative, and lists areas for which the government is seeking your views.

What is the deadline for consultation submissions?

The submission period for the Canada Gazette notice will last 45 days, and end on October 16, 2018. The Government of Canada is committed to hearing from Canadians on this important subject and will ensure that Canadians continue to have the opportunity to provide their views as we engage with ASEAN, including through our ongoing consultation efforts.

Background and additional links

Background

ASEAN comprises ten member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Canada is one of ASEAN’s ten dialogue partners – countries that enjoy a special relationship with ASEAN and have access to various dedicated ASEAN processes and meetings. At the 2017 ASEAN Economic Ministers – Canada Consultation, Canada and ASEAN member states agreed to launch exploratory discussions to examine the potential for a Canada-ASEAN FTA.

ASEAN as a regional trading block represents a significant economic presence in Asia. In 2017, the ten members of ASEAN had a combined GDP of US$2.8 trillion (CA$3.6 trillion) and a population of 643 million. In 2017, Canada-ASEAN bilateral merchandise trade reached $23.3 billion. Merchandise exports were nearly $6.5 billion and merchandise imports were almost $16.8 billion. As a group, ASEAN ranked as Canada’s sixth largest merchandise trading partner in 2017. The stock of known Canadian direct investment in ASEAN countries amounted to over $12.2 billion at the end of 2017 and direct investment from ASEAN into Canada totalled $399 million. In 2016, bilateral services trade reached $5.1 billion.

Canada has Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with the Philippines (1996) and Thailand (1998).

Additional information on Canada’s relationship with the ASEAN countries

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