2023 Canada-EU CETA Civil Society Forum Programme

April 25 and 26, 2023 (Brussels/by videoconference)

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EDT), 16:00 – 18:30 (CEST)

9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (EDT), 15:00-17:30 (CEST)

Day 1 – Tuesday, April 25

9:15 – Sign-in

10:00 - Opening remarks

The EU and Canada will provide a brief overview of Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) Committee progress since its last meeting and objectives moving forward, acknowledging the key role participants play in supporting the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) Trade and Sustainable Development, Trade and Labour and Trade and Environment chapters.

10:15 - Comments from Domestic Advisory Groups (DAG) Chairs

DAG Chairs are invited to share their perspectives and priorities on the matters covered under the CETA TSD Chapters.

10:30 – Discussion on Environment and Climate Change

Canada and the EU will briefly (10 minutes each) share their progress on the implementation of the CETA Trade and Environment Chapter and the Recommendation on Trade, Climate Action and the Paris Agreement, and will outline their trade relevant climate and environmental policy developments.

Participants will be invited to propose, present, share their views and exchange with the Parties on how to best make use of CETA to cooperate on trade and climate change and the environment.

11:45 – Canada-EU Cooperation on Labour

Under the CETA Trade and Labour chapter, the Parties have committed to cooperate to promote the objectives of the chapter, through actions such as the exploration of various collaborative initiatives. Discussions will focus on forced labour and child labour, aligning with CETA TSD Committee work under the Implementation of Labour Chapter Commitments section.

Participants will be invited to share their views and ask questions.

Day 2 – Wednesday, April 26

8:15 – Sign-In

9:00 – Opening remarks

9:05 – Developments in the field of Trade and Sustainable Development, Trade and Labour and Trade and Environment – Policy, Implementation, Enforcement

The EU and Canada will share with participants their respective developments related to TSD, and update participants on their discussions following their commitment to advancing the early review of the TSD chapters, with a view to reviewing the implementation of the chapters, including their enforcement mechanisms. Participants will be invited to share their views on how best to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the CETA TSD chapters.

10:00 – Update and Discussion on the other existing and potential CETA Recommendations

Canada and the EU will share progress on the implementation of the CETA Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Recommendation and Trade and Gender Recommendation. Participants are invited to ask questions, discuss opportunities and propose suggestions for future collaboration following the presentations, including an approach to consider on mainstreaming gender and SMEs into the work of CETA committees.

10:30 – General comments and questions from Civil Society Members (open)

11:20 – Wrap up and closing comments