Electronic Commerce (e-commerce)

Canada believes that electronic commerce provides new ways of doing business, opens new business opportunities and that it is still commerce rather than a new sector. Canada considers that existing multilateral agreements and frameworks already apply to electronic commerce.

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) can foster remarkable new business efficiencies. It gives small and medium-sized enterprises access to much wider geographical markets, and for consumers around the globe it provides the benefits of increased competition and product choice. Such benefits are contingent upon an affordable access to infrastructure and e-commerce-related services, as well as an on-line environment of trust and security. Only with international cooperation can such a trading environment be created, optimizing the social and economic potential of electronic commerce. From an international trade policy perspective, what is needed is greater clarity in applying existing international trade rules to electronic transactions.

Related Links

• E-commerce - Grow your global presence
• Canada's Concept Paper for the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce: Preventing the use of Personal Information from being used for the Discrimination or Persecution of Natural Persons
• Canada’s Text Proposal for the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce
• Canada’s Concept Paper for the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce: Building Confidence and Trust in Digital Trade
• Canada and the World Trade Organization (WTO): Electronic commerce (e-commerce)

Contact Us

If you have questions or comments, please contact Global Affairs Canada at:

Services in Trade Policy Division (TMS) 
Global Affairs Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building 
125 Sussex Drive 
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2 

E-mail: TMSconsultation@international.gc.ca