Share your views: Consulting Canadians on the potential accession of Costa Rica to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

The Government of Canada is committed to diversifying its trade and investment ties with key markets and to strengthening the rules-based, international trading system, while pursuing an inclusive trade agenda. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a cornerstone of Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, helping to create jobs, strengthen economic relations and boost Canada’s trade with important trading partners.

Who is the focus of this consultation?

We want to hear from a broad and diverse range of Canadians that is representative of our many interests, perspectives, and priorities. This includes, but is not limited to:

• individuals
• businesses of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• industry associations
• experts/academics
• civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations
• labour unions
• provincial, territorial and municipal governments
• Indigenous peoples
• women's associations, 2SLGBTQI+ stakeholders and community groups representing diverse experiences
• students and youth
• other interested Canadian stakeholders

We seek to ensure that all Canadians have access to the benefits and opportunities that flow from international trade and investment. Therefore, we welcome input and submissions on the potential gender, environmental and social impacts of launching negotiations with Costa Rica.

Join in: How to participate

Key questions for discussion

CPTPP accession candidates must demonstrate their ability to comply with the Agreement’s existing rules and obligations. Should CPTPP Parties find that Costa Rica is able to comply with the Agreement, market access offers may be exchanged, including on goods, services, investment, financial services, government procurement, state-owned enterprises and temporary entry for business persons. With this in mind, we are seeking your input on the following questions:

• What specific interests do you have with Costa Rica that could be addressed through Costa Rica's potential accession to the CPTPP?
• Do you have any specific concerns or issues to note in relation to Costa Rica's potential accession to CPTPP?

Privacy notice

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

Background information

The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between Canada and 11 other Parties: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom (U.K.)

The CPTPP is designed to expand over time to include new member economies. Costa Rica submitted a formal request to accede to the CPTPP on August 10, 2022. At the 8^th Meeting of the CPTPP Commission in November 2024, CPTPP Parties achieved consensus to establish an Accession Working Group for Costa Rica. In making this decision, the Commission took into consideration three specific factors known as the “Auckland Principles”: preparedness to meet the Agreement’s high standards; a demonstrated pattern of complying with trade commitments; and a recognition that decisions are dependent on the consensus of the Parties.

To this end, the Government of Canada is soliciting the views of Canadians on the potential accession of Costa Rica to the CPTPP. As steps are taken to ensure that more Canadians have access to the benefits and opportunities that flow from international trade, traditionally underrepresented groups, such as women, small and medium-sized enterprises, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, and racialized communities are encouraged to provide their input.

Costa Rica CPTPP Potential Accession

As the rules of the Agreement are already established and in force between existing Parties, discussions with Costa Rica in acceding to the CPTPP will focus on specific aspects of trade such as goods, services, financial services, investment, temporary entry for business persons, government procurement and state-owned enterprises.

Costa Rica, and any other economy wishing to accede to the Agreement, will be required to meet the CPTPP’s high standards and commitments. These consultations will also help to identify any issues and concerns that are relevant when considering Costa Rica’s accession to the CPTPP.

What will be the focus of these consultations?

These consultations will help the Government of Canada to determine how to best proceed regarding the negotiations for Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP. The Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement, which focuses mainly on trade in goods, has been in force since November 2002. As such, the consultations will help us determine how best to improve market access for goods and services, transparency, investment, and government procurement for the benefit of Canadians and their businesses. These consultations will also seek to understand any other related issues and concerns that are relevant when considering the potential accession of Costa Rica to the CPTPP.

Canada Gazette notice

This public consultation has also been published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159. The publication can be viewed here:

Canada Gazette: Consultations on the potential accession of Costa Rica to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Contact us

CPTPP Consultations
Global Affairs Canada
Indo-Pacific Trade Policy Division
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1N 0G2