International Trade

The Latest

• News Release: Statement by FCM past president Berry Vrbanovic following commitment by Minister Fast to protect municipal interests in CETA

On April 27th, 2012 the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade presented comments to the Economic Club of Canada on the ongoing negotiations on CETA. Here you will find helpful resources including potential benefits to provincial/territorial economies and other documents.

• Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Opening New Markets in Europe

Recent trade agreements, for the first time ever, will include "sub-national procurement", which refers to such municipal activities as the purchasing of supplies, the contracting of infrastructure projects and the delivery of municipal services like solid waste and water distribution. Up until these most recent negotiations, free trade agreements did not apply to municipal governments. This is changing, which means that municipalities must become more active participants in these negotiations.

FCM's position seeks to ensure that other orders of government are aware of the effects that any trade agreements may have on municipal operations and urge them to draft trade agreements that reasonably minimize these impacts. We strive to recognize and respect provincial, territorial and federal jurisdiction over trade, at the same time as vigorously asserting and protecting the municipal responsibility to respond to local interests and protect property tax payers.