What we heard: Consulting Canadians on the potential accession of Costa Rica to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Overview

From February 15 to March 16, 2025, Global Affairs Canada conducted public consultations regarding Costa Rica’s potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Public consultations consisted of a Canada Gazette notice inviting written submissions and a dedicated webpage.

The purpose of the consultations was to solicit a wide range of perspectives from Canadians and interested stakeholders regarding Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP, including any potential gender, environmental and social impacts. Feedback received will and priorities that could be addressed through Costa Rica’s potential accession to CPTPP.

Background

Canada and Costa Rica’s strong bilateral trading relationship is supported by the Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA), which entered into force in November 2002. Unlike Canada’s more recent free trade agreements, the CCRFTA focuses primarily on trade in goods and does not include substantial commitments in areas like cross-border trade in services, investment, or government procurement.

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 agreed by consensus to establish an Accession Working Group for Costa Rica.

As the rules of the Agreement are already established and in force between existing Parties, discussions with Costa Rica on its accession to the CPTPP will focus on market access such as goods, services, financial services, investment, temporary entry for businesspersons, 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 help to identify any issues and concerns that are relevant to Canada when considering Costa Rica’s accession to the CPTPP.

Summary of consultation submissions

Global Affairs Canada received a total of 19 written submissions from across Canada, including:

Businesses and industry associations, notably in the agricultural and professional services sectors;
Provincial and Territorial governments;
Indigenous partners; and
Individual citizens.

Most respondents were larger organizations and associations representing multiple stakeholders or partners.

Figure 1. Written submissions received during public consultations, according to stakeholder type

Text version – Figure 1

Text version - Figure 1. Written submissions received during public consultations, according to stakeholder type.

Agriculture and Agri-food: 69%
Provinces and Territories: 6%
Indigenous partners: 5%
Individual citizens: 21%

What we heard from stakeholders

Most respondents expressed a high level of support for Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP, largely citing untapped market potential that could be facilitated by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers between Canada and Costa Rica (e.g. ,regulatory inconsistencies and lack of transparency, investment restrictions, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, import restrictions, etc.).

Some respondents expressed strong concerns against any additional commitments relating to access to Canada’s tariff rate quotas for its supply-managed goods under the CPTPP. In addition, one submission expressed opposition to extending the application of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).

However, most respondents consider Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP as complementary to the government’s efforts to diversify trade and access new markets.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

A majority of submissions (69 percent) received were from agricultural and agri-food organizations. Export-oriented sectors (e.g., grains, seeds, pulses) expressed support for Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP, noting that it would allow them to diversify their exports and boost their competitiveness in the region. These respondents also emphasized the importance of ensuring that regulatory measures affecting trade in agricultural products are transparent, predictable and scientifically justified.

While respondents from supply-managed sectors (i.e. dairy, poultry, eggs) did not oppose Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP, they insisted that Canada refrain from making any further market access concessions or any other commitments relating to access for supply-managed products. They also emphasized the importance of ensuring Costa Rica’s compliance with the preparedness to meet the Agreement’s high standards; a demonstrated pattern of complying with trade commitments; and recognition that decisions are dependent on the consensus of the CPTPP Membership.

The sugar industry expressed support for Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP, citing the benefits of enhanced market access and expanded export opportunities. They also raised interest in improved origin rules for Canadian refined sugar and sugar containing products to address the limitations of the current Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA).

Provinces and Territories

The Government of Canada received one submission from a provincial government. The submission provided positive feedback on Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP, citing the increased opportunities to expand their exports in the region, particularly for agriculture and agri-food products. They underlined three key interests: enhancing market access for agri-food products, reducing non-tariff barriers, and creating investment and procurement opportunities.

Indigenous partners

The Government of Canada received one submission from an Indigenous partner. The submission expressed support for Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP, but urged the Government Canada to explore a side letter with Costa Rica on ISDS. Beyond the accession process, which does not involve any changes or additions to the existing CTPPP Agreement, the submission noted continued interest in the negotiation of a dedicated Trade and Indigenous Peoples chapter and a general exception for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights under the CPTPP.

Intellectual property

With respect to intellectual property (IP), respondents highlighted the importance of Costa Rica’s full compliance to CPTPP’s high standards for IP rights to ensure alignment with industry standards and prevent counterfeit products for Canadian brands expanding into Costa Rica.

Next steps

The Government of Canada continues to welcome the views of Canadians regarding Costa Rica’s potential accession to the CPTPP. The feedback received from Canadians and stakeholders will help inform Canada’s interests and priorities as Costa Rica’s potential accession advances.

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