Report: 1st Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) meeting on Trade and Gender by Videoconference, Ottawa and Brussels, February 20th, 2019

1. Summary:

The first meeting on the CETA Joint Committee Trade and Gender recommendation took place via videoconference in Ottawa and Brussels on February 20th, 2019. The meeting was opened with brief introductions from officials attending the meeting in Brussels and Ottawa. The European Union then delivered their presentation titled “Gender Equality in the European Union”, followed by the Canadian presentation titled “Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment”. This provided an excellent overall context on the European Union and Canada’s policies related to gender equality to begin the implementation of the CETA trade and gender recommendation.

2. Follow-Up Items:

Canada

1. Share GBA+ guiding materials for using GBA+ on FTAs/trade negotiations.
2. Share information on the new Employment Insurance coverage for maternity leave from 12 months to 18.
3. Share information on pay equity legislation for federally regulated workers.
4. Share information on Shopify name blind competition results.
5. Share latest data and report on women entrepreneurship and women in trade.
6. Share initiatives on work to increase the number of women in STEM.
7. Share information on gender budgeting.
8. Share the Gender Results Framework.

European Union

1. Share information on gender pay and pension gaps.
2. Share information on name blind competition results.
3. Share guidelines and information on gender impact assessment as well as sustainability impact assessment.