Joint statement by Canada and Chile

June 28, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada and Chile are strategic, progressive and like-minded partners with a steadfast commitment to promoting and defending democracy and safeguarding human rights. Canada and Chile are both committed to work in true partnership with Indigenous peoples; to lead on the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment; and to ensure that sustainable and inclusive trade and investment creates good jobs and benefits everyone. Our countries are also committed to protecting our natural environments, to conserving our oceans, and to taking ambitious action on climate change.

Canada and Chile agree that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder that our countries must continue to work together to uphold international law, defend the principles of international law, territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of disputes, as well as human rights, and promote peace and stability.

In June 2022, President Gabriel Boric and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met in Ottawa and expressed their commitment to strengthening the partnership between our two countries. One year after President Boric’s visit, and following multiple ministerial visits to Canada and Chile, our countries continue to work closely together, especially in times of need. Canada and Chile have recently supported each other through technical assistance and equipment to fight forest fires, and Canada is grateful to Chile for having sent 62 Chilean firefighters to Alberta earlier this month.

During the bilateral consultations, representatives of Canada and Chile discussed cooperation on regional and global issues, as well as diversity and inclusion, critical minerals development, sustainable mining, and responsible business conduct. On environmental protection and climate action, the representatives discussed forest fire management, cleantech and renewable energy, carbon pricing, and ocean protection. Deliberations also covered the strengthening of multilateralism and the rules-based international order, particularly in the context of democracy, gender equality, human rights, natural resource management and emerging regional and global dynamics.

The consultations also covered our economic partnership, to leverage Canada’s position as Chile’s top foreign investor, and to ensure that trade benefits small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and traditionally underrepresented groups like women, Indigenous peoples, and other communities.

Recognizing the effectiveness of the recently modernized Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), in enhancing bilateral trade and generating confidence for investors, Chile and Canada will continue working together to further implement and enhance the CCFTA and CPTPP, including, for example, the integration of SMEs in international trade. Both will also continue working on matters relating to the evolving practice of International Investment Agreements, and other elements of interest to both countries. These changes will help increase opportunities for greater and more inclusive bilateral trade.

Both countries will continue to build on our productive and mutually beneficial relationship through continued collaboration in trade integration initiatives such as our joint work at the WTO, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Chile and Canada will also work together to renew the Canada-Chile Partnership Framework, which was launched in 2008 and renewed in 2013. A renewal would allow us to expand our commitments and incorporate new areas for bilateral collaboration, such as Indigenous issues, critical minerals, forest fire management, and gender and inclusion. We will also explore the incorporation of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, strategic planning, entrepreneurship, and innovation, among others in a renewed Partnership Framework.