Share your views: Consulting Canadians on a potential free trade agreement with Mercosur

The Government of Canada solicited the views of Canadians on the resumption of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Canada and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) via a Canada Gazette notice. Feedback received will help inform Canada’s FTA negotiations with Mercosur.

Promoting trade and investment with growing markets like Mercosur is a priority for the Government of Canada. Our trade policy and inclusive approach to trade is one that focuses on the interests of Canadians and economic opportunities for the middle class and underrepresented groups.

Who was the focus of these consultations?

The Government of Canada invited any interested stakeholder to provide input, including from:

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

Key questions for discussion

The Government of Canada welcomed your views on FTA negotiations between Canada and Mercosur.

Ideas and input were sought around, but not limited to, these topics:

• Goods of export or import interest that would benefit from the expedited or phased-in removal of tariffs and other barriers, as well as any import sensitivities.
• Non-tariff barriers, technical barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures that this potential FTA should address.
• Trade in services, specifically sectors and activities of export interest for Canadian service providers.
• Promotion of environmental protection and conservation.
• Promotion of labour rights and cooperation.
• Support and advancement of traditionally underrepresented groups in trade, including women and Indigenous Peoples.
• Opportunities to advance transparency, anti-corruption and responsible business conduct, and to promote and protect good governance, the rule of law, and human rights.

The input gathered through this process will be used to inform Canada’s FTA negotiations with Mercosur.

Privacy notice

Stakeholders were invited to read the privacy notice statement carefully prior to sending a written submission.

Related links

• Canada Gazette: Consulting Canadians on the resumption of free trade agreement negotiations with Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay)  
• Canada-Argentina relations
• Canada-Brazil relations
• Canada and Paraguay relations
• Canada and Uruguay relations
• Canada-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

Contact us

Canada-Mercosur Trade Consultations   
Global Affairs Canada
111 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 1J1
Email:  TCE-Consultations@international.gc.ca