Post Tagged with: "canada – eu trade agreement"

CETA and Copyright: My Appearance Before the Standing Committee on International Trade

This week I was invited to appear before the Standing Committee on International Trade to discuss the ongoing negotiations of the Canada – European Union Comprehensive Trade Agreement (CETA). I’ve written about some concerns associated with CETA in the past (here, here, here, and here). The appearance comes just as speculation mounts that CETA is running into significant barriers with opposition from many groups and a lack of strong support at the provincial level.  While a trade deal that focuses on traditional trade barriers may make sense, the EU’s effort to re-write Canadian regulatory policy on issues such as intellectual property is why the deal should be scrapped or slimmed down.  My opening comments before the committee:

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February 18, 2011 13 comments Committees, News

Ontario Government Consults Business on CETA

The Ontario Government's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has launched a consultation on the Canada – European Union Trade Agreement.  The consultation is geared to business, seeking specific responses to business barriers to trade.

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June 17, 2010 Comments are Disabled News

CETA Update: EU Pressure on IP Increases

The Department of Foreign Affairs held a briefing call yesterday on the latest round of Canada – European Union Trade Agreement negotiations held last week in Ottawa (talks are actually continuing this week since many European officials were unable to attend due to volcanic ash inspired flight cancellations).  The call was the first I have attended and I think the department should be commended for holding regular briefings that offer a full update on the negotiations.  The CETA approach is in marked contrast to ACTA, where there have been practically no briefings after negotiation rounds.

The CETA intellectual property chapter was discussed during the briefing, with officials noting that EU pressure on this particular issue was increasing.  The EU is apparently concerned with the lack of movement on the IP chapter, which is largely at a standstill.  The EU has demanded wholesale changes to Canada's IP law framework, but negotiators advised that Canada could not respond without guidance from the government.  Part of that guidance is expected to come in the form of the next copyright bill (with iPadlock Minister James Moore pushing for C-61 style lock provisions, the bill would be consistent with EU demands on anti-circumvention rules). 

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April 27, 2010 Comments are Disabled News

Canada – EU Trade Agreement Leaks

This week negotiations continue on the Canada – EU Trade Agreement. I've previously posted a copy of the CETA Intellectual Property chapter.  Yesterday, nine other chapters leaked, including the telecommunications chapter.

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April 20, 2010 1 comment News

Trade Law Perspective on CETA

Cyndee Todgham Cherniak provides a trade law perspective on the latest CETA leak, noting that it is so far reaching that it may be inconsistent with the trade promotion goals of the agreement.

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April 2, 2010 Comments are Disabled News