Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting – September 30, 2021

Canada’s statement

First, let me note that today, September 30, marks Canada's first ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. This day is an opportunity to honour the missing children and survivors of residential schools, their families and their communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history of residential schools and their lasting legacy is an essential part of the reconciliation process in Canada. Today, Canada remembers.

As we move closer to the ministerial conference, we need to deepen our understanding of the issues behind our different positions and then identify concrete ideas to bridge the differences we have on these issues. Canada would urge all Members to focus on a realistic package for MC12 that includes an agreement on fisheries subsidies, a multilateral declaration on trade and health, demonstrable progress in the agriculture negotiations, including an outcome on an ambitious framework on domestic support and enhancements to transparency, and the conclusion of the joint statement initiative on services domestic regulation. Building on our longstanding past practices, Canada believes both moratoria should be extended. We also strongly believe that the WTO dispute settlement system is a central pillar of the rules-based multilateral trading system. We need to send a positive message at MC12 regarding our collective intention to ensure an improved and fully-functioning dispute settlement system.

This remains our goal and we share your hope, DG, that Members will engage in a focussed manner to advance work in the right direction.

Thank you, Chair.