Canada and the European Union launched negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in 2009; however, several hurdles still remain in closing a deal. In this special series of policy briefs, CETD collaborators and partners tackle some of the contentious issues in the negotiations, shedding light on what is being demanded on either side and the economic, social, and political issues at stake in the lingering negotiations. UPDATE: an agreement in principle was signed in October 2013.
Click on the titles below to read the policy briefs. Further policy briefs are forthcoming; please check back this page.
CETA and Intellectual Property: The debate over pharmaceutical patents, Joel Lexchin (York University) and Marc-André Gagnon (Carleton University)
When it comes to intellectual property protection for patented drugs, Canada is often unfairly depicted as a laggard as compared to other developed countries. In the on-going negotiations over the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU), this preconception explains the European demands for Canada to increase its patent protection for brand-name drugs. This policy brief addresses these expectations in terms of financial implications and data protection.
The Investment Provisions of the CETA, Armand de Mestral (McGill University) and Stephanie Mullen (LLB Candidate, Cambridge University)
This policy brief is a short analysis of the implications of CETA on investment in Canada and the EU. It is evident from the drafts that both the EU and Canada have sought to overcome some of the challenges faced in the application of the North American Free Trade Agreement and various other bilateral trade agreements, particularly those arising in the context of investor-state arbitration.
CETA and Geographical Indicators: Why a Sensitive Issue?, Crina Viju (Carleton University)
Since the launch of negotiations for a Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in 2009, one of the predictably challenging issues has been agriculture. Agriculture has been an unsuccessful chapter in the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and it has been excluded from most free trade agreements (FTAs). This document outlines the major stumbling block in agricultural negotiations as being the establishment of tariff quota volumes that are acceptable for both sides.
CETA and Multi-level Governance: Implications for Provincial and Municipal Governments, Robert Finbow (Dalhousie University)
CETA continues efforts by Ottawa to promote a stronger common market via elimination of non-tariff barriers to capital, goods, services, and labor across provinces and outside our borders. Like other processes of globalization and regional institutionalization, CETA encroaches on democratic space and therefore brings forth many challenges on multiple governments levels. This policy brief surveys some potential effects on provinces and municipalities in Canada.