Report from the sixth CETA Civil Society Forum

March 18 and 19, 2024 (Ottawa)

Joint report

Introduction

The sixth Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Civil Society Forum (CSF) was hosted by Canada and took place in a hybrid format on March 18 and 19, 2024. More than 150 participants registered and joined the session from across Canada and the European Union (EU), including representatives from various sectors of civil society in particular businesses, academia, as well as Indigenous Peoples, environmental, and labour organisations. Delegates from EU member states and Canadian provinces and territories also joined in-person and online. The participants expressed their enthusiasm to continue fruitful cooperation in the near future.

Summary of session I: Discussion on environment and climate change

To begin this session, Canada and the EU (the “Parties”) reflected on the progress made on bilateral cooperation on environmental and climate change issues since the previous meeting of the CSF on April 25 and 26, 2023. The establishment of the Canada-EU Green Alliance over the past year was acknowledged as a significant milestone, providing a robust framework to achieve ambitious goals such as climate neutrality by 2050, and other objectives aligned with the Paris Agreement.

The alignment between Canada and the EU on carbon pricing, as well as the mutual support in international forums was underscored, along with a shared commitment to combatting climate change. Additionally, both Parties highlighted joint advocacy efforts, particularly regarding the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4), where collaborative negotiations on the ban of single-use plastics, particularly in marine environments, were prioritized.

Looking forward, the Parties discussed how CETA can be utilized to promote investment in green businesses and to increasing the development of renewable energy sources. The Parties emphasized the importance of continued focus on circular economy, biodiversity, and the sustainable trade of fisheries and agricultural products. Recognizing the urgency of the global environmental and climate crisis, both Parties stressed the necessity of implementing ambitious policies within trade agreements to foster growth in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Summary of session II: Discussion on enabling climate- and nature-positive outcomes through CETA

To open this fireside chat, jointly led by the Canadian and EU Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs), the EU DAG initiated the discussion by highlighting Canada and the EU’s shared commitment to address today’s global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, their ambitious climate agendas, and their strong cooperation in the field.

The EU DAG highlighted Canada’s and the EU’s joint efforts in tackling climate change, protecting the environment and oceans, and addressing biodiversity loss. Concluding their comments, the EU DAG outlined a vision for future collaboration, emphasizing the importance of both sides working together to develop ambitious nature-positive policies. Additionally, they emphasised the importance of assuming leadership roles in key global initiatives, such as promoting the ratification and implementation of the High Seas Treaty and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Canadian and EU DAGs then engaged in an informal discussion on Indigenous Peoples participation and rights in relation to the environment and the mining of critical minerals. The conversation focused on the importance of meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, and local communities generally, and covered best practices for doing so. They emphasized that continuous efforts are needed to ensure Indigenous Peoples are fully engaged in decision-making processes concerning mining projects and noted the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Summary of session III: Canada-EU cooperation on labour

During this session, Canada and the EU described their approaches and progress on trade and labour policy under CETA and at the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as in third countries, with which both Canada and the EU have trade agreements that include trade and labour provisions, in Asia and in the Americas.

Canadian and EU representatives expressed their determination to combat forced labour and promote decent work on a global scale, notably by taking domestic legislative measures to address labour exploitation in global supply chains, and by collaborating in multilateral forums, including at the ILO. The key priorities identified by Canada and the EU for future cooperation include the promotion of workers’ rights in select third countries (e.g., Bangladesh, Vietnam, Colombia, Peru), further discussions on the development, implementation and enforcement of laws against child and forced labour in global supply chains, and the promotion of labour rights in the context of international trade.

Summary of session IV: DAG-led presentation and discussion on business and human rights

This DAG-led presentation focused on labour law violations around the world and how they can be meaningfully addressed under international trade agreements. The presenters expressed their concerns over declining global labour conditions, and how modern trade agreements such as CETA could help to counter this trend by ensuring that economic growth is not obtained through erosion of social progress.

The presenters exchanged information on recent efforts to uphold international labour law and standards, such as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement’s (CUSMA) Rapid Response Labour Mechanism and the EU’s regulation to ban products made from child and forced labour from the EU market. The presenters jointly criticized the lack of access to arbitration or mediation under the current CETA provisions, and the need to involve civil society more directly in any dispute settlement process. They expressed their views that, while there are no labour issues between the two Parties, they should have the necessary tools to ensure that CETA continues to serve as a global example of best practice. The DAGs also saw the need for like-minded countries, including Canada and the EU, to continue to defend workers’ rights and access to remedies in multilateral organizations such as the ILO and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Summary of session V: Discussions on trade, gender, and SMEs

Canada and the EU highlighted the efforts being made globally and under CETA to support the development of women and Indigenous-owned businesses and SMEs. This included tailored trade missions designed for underrepresented groups in trade, workshops aimed at promoting inclusive participation in trade, as well as advocacy in international fora such as the WTO.

Following this discussion, Canada’s Chief Economist provided a presentation on Canada’s most recent findings on the participation of underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous-owned SMEs, in international trade, notably in Canada-EU trade. This data-driven presentation highlighted progress being made in this area, remaining obstacles and gaps, and possible means of improving the participation of SMEs, including those owned by women and Indigenous Peoples, in the global market. This could include facilitating access to digital trade and export financing for women and Indigenous-owned businesses.