Public consultation:
Future accession negotiations of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Diversifying trade and investment with key markets around the world is a priority of the Government of Canada. The government is committed to strengthening Canada’s trade and investment relations with economies throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The CPTPP is a multilateral free trade agreement between Canada and 10 other Asia-Pacific nations: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Combined, the 11 CPTPP members form a trading bloc representing approximately half a billion consumers and 13.5% of global GDP.

The accession of new economies to the CPTPP carries the potential to increase the agreement’s benefits for Canadians, further expanding Canada’s preferential market access and strengthening Canada’s connectivity to the Asia-Pacific region.

The Government of Canada is soliciting the views of the Canadian public and interested Canadian stakeholders on the accession of new members to the CPTPP.

Stakeholders have until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on August 25, 2019, to submit their responses, comments and suggestions.

Why is Canada holding consultations on possible CPTPP accession negotiations?

The Government of Canada is consulting Canadians to help define its priorities in possible negotiations for the accession of new members to the CPTPP. We want to hear your ideas, experiences and priorities through these consultations to identify opportunities to create wealth, innovation and jobs for Canadians.

What will be the focus of consultations? 

The focus of these consultations is to determine how Canada should best prioritize and proceed with possible CPTPP accession negotiations, including on how to best improve market access, transparency and certainty for Canadian business. This consultation will help the government understand any issues or concerns that are relevant when considering a possible new partner in the CPTPP. The government is especially interested in views regarding economies that have publicly announced their own consultations or studies on CPTPP accession, notably South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom. We also welcome views on the potential accession of any other Asia-Pacific economy.

A Canada Gazette (ADD link once live) notice on possible negotiations for the accession of new members to the CPTPP outlines areas for which the government is seeking your views.

Who should participate?

The Government of Canada is soliciting the views of the Canadian public and interested Canadian stakeholders on the accession of new members to the CPTPP, including:

• individuals
• businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises
• industry associations
• experts and academics
• civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations
• labour unions
• provincial, territorial and municipal governments
• Indigenous groups
• students and youth
• any other interested Canadian stakeholders

What is the deadline for consultation submissions?

The submission period for the Canada Gazette notice will last 30 days and end on August 25, 2019. We are 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 trading partners throughout the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, including through our ongoing consultation efforts.

How do I participate?

The government is seeking written views of all interested Canadians by email to the CPTPP team or by mail to the address below:

Canada–Asia-Pacific Trade Consultations
Global Affairs Canada
Trade Policy and Negotiations, Asia Division (TCA)
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0G2

Please provide your written submissions in response to the Canada Gazette notice (PDF, 846 KB) by August 25, 2019.

Please read the privacy notice statement carefully prior to sending a written submission.

For more information on CPTPP and potential accession negotiations, please read the backgrounder.