Join the discussion: Consulting Canadians on the operation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) entered into force on July 1, 2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that had been in force since January 1, 1994. CUSMA has continued to safeguard Canada’s preferential access to the United States and Mexico and drive the integration of a North American market that represents 506 million consumers and a combined GDP of $42 trillion. In 2023, the total value of trilateral merchandise trade between Canada, the United States, and Mexico was $1.93 trillion, an increase of 3.5% from 2022.

Trilateral free trade, under CUSMA and NAFTA before it, has provided certainty for business and investors for more than thirty years. CUSMA ensures high standards for trade in North America, which is important for Canadian businesses, workers and communities. This includes important outcomes in areas such as labour, environment, automotive trade, dispute resolution, culture, energy, and agriculture and agri-food. It also includes provisions on gender and Indigenous peoples’ rights.

The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening and deepening economic and commercial relationships with its North American partners and to ensuring continued North American competitiveness and prosperity. To ensure CUSMA remains up to date in an evolving economic landscape, a review and term extension article was included in the Agreement.

Article 34.7 affords the Parties the opportunity to assess the operation of CUSMA and ensure the Agreement remains current. The CUSMA Parties will undertake the first joint review of the Agreement in 2026, which will be an opportunity for the Parties to discuss the functioning of CUSMA, assess the progress of its implementation and consider how to ensure the Agreement is robust enough to address future challenges and to ensure continued North American competitiveness and prosperity.

We want to hear from you!

Submissions received from these consultations will help to inform Canada’s preparations for the first joint review of CUSMA in 2026 and priorities for work being undertaken in 2025, including Canada’s chairing of the fifth CUSMA Free Trade Commission meeting. As the Government of Canada prepares for these discussions, we are seeking your views and experiences on key areas of CUSMA that are working well and potential areas for improvement.

Who should participate?

We want to hear the views of all Canadians with an interest in the matter, including:

• the Canadian public;
• provincial, territorial and municipal governments;
• businesses of all sizes, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs);
• 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.

As steps are taken to ensure that more Canadians have access to the benefits and opportunities that flow from international trade and investment, traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, and racialized communities are especially encouraged to provide their input.

Join in: How to participate

The Government of Canada is seeking input from diverse Canadian voices. There are different ways you can participate in these consultations. You can provide a written submission in response to the Canada Gazette notice until October 31, 2024, using one of these options:

Privacy notice

Please read the privacy notice statement carefully prior to sending a written submission. When providing your views, we ask that you refrain from including the personal information of other individuals.

Related information

• CUSMA – Read the Agreement and related texts
• About CUSMA
• CUSMA - Summary of Outcomes
• CUSMA governance and committees
• Canada-United States relations
• Canada-Mexico relations

Contact us

CUSMA Consultations
Global Affairs Canada
Trade Negotiations – North America (TNP)
John G. Diefenbaker Building
111 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 1J1