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Join the discussion: consulting Canadians on the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP)

Current status: Closed

This consultation ran from March 25 to May 9, 2023.

The Government of Canada is committed to deepening economic cooperation in our hemisphere while supporting Canadian foreign policy priorities and international development objectives in the region. As part of this commitment, Canada continues to explore opportunities for enhanced regional engagement with countries with which we enjoy shared values and strong and growing trade and investment ties, especially in the Americas.

The Government's inclusive approach to trade seeks to generate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen the middle class while advancing trade and investment opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups, such as:

To this end, the Government of Canada is asking for the views of the Canadian public and interested stakeholders to help define our priorities in relation to our engagement with APEP participants. We want to hear from you.

Information on the consultations

Why is Canada holding consultations on the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP)?

In line with the Government of Canada's commitment to openness and transparency, we want to hear your views, reflections and priorities in relation to APEP. Your submissions will help define Canada's interests in future negotiations. This consultation will help inform Canada's position and identify opportunities and sensitivities in the region within the APEP framework.

Please see the Canada Gazette Notice: Consulting Canadians on Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity

How to participate

The Government of Canada is seeking input from diverse Canadian voices from coast to coast. There are a variety of ways you can participate in this consultation. You can provide a written submission, using one of these options:

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

The Government of Canada will ensure that Canadians continue to have the opportunity to provide their views on this important initiative, including through our ongoing consultations as we engage with the Americas.

Who should participate?

We want to hear from a broad and diverse range of Canadians representative of our many interests, perspectives and priorities. This includes, but is not limited to:

Because we seek to ensure that more Canadians have access to the benefits and opportunities that flow from regional economic cooperation, we welcome input and submissions on the potential gender, environmental and social impacts of APEP.

Related information

Background

APEP is a new framework for cooperation across the Americas aiming to promote economic, sustainable and inclusive growth and integration across the region. Canada's engagement in APEP demonstrates the Government's strong commitment to the region and will be an opportunity to project Canadian values. APEP is also aligned with Canada's inclusive trade agenda.

Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Businesses and Economic Development, Mary Ng joined U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on January 27, 2023, for the launch of APEP along with representatives from 10 other countries in the Western Hemisphere. Those countries are:

In total, APEP countries represent approximately 90 percent of the Western Hemisphere's GDP and nearly two thirds of its people.

APEP is a flexible framework, open to all countries with common values and a shared vision for a prosperous hemisphere. Canada expects participants to move quickly towards execution, beginning with preparations for future negotiations.

APEP is not a free trade agreement and is not expected to include tariff reductions or market access commitments. Nevertheless, a fully realized APEP could deliver important outcomes to improve economic resilience, strengthen supply chains, harness the digital economy, and improve environmental and labour standards.

Canada enjoys strong relationships and growing trade and investment ties in the Americas region. For example:

The objectives of APEP reinforce economic cooperation in our hemisphere. APEP will help combat climate change and promote democracy, gender equality, and human rights and the rule of law. These objectives are at the core of Canada's foreign policy.

The APEP framework would:

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