Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training

International Trade Policy

British Columbia works with provincial stakeholders, other provinces and territories, and the Government of Canada to ensure that provincial interests are represented in international negotiations, agreements and disputes.

Canada is signatory to a number of international trade agreements, the most important being the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canada is also a signatory to the Canada-US Softwood Lumber Agreement which has significant importance to British Columbia’s forestry industry. Current international trade negotiations of particular interest to British Columbia are those with the European Union, India, Korea, Japan, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Thailand.

Round 17 of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations is being held in Lima, Peru from May 15-24, 2013. Individuals, businesses and organizations with an interest in the TPP negotiations have an opportunity to participate in the Stakeholder Engagement Event on May 19, 2013 in Lima. More information on the program can be found at this link. If you are based in B.C. and intend to participate in the stakeholder event, please notify us at the email address below.

The Government of Canada is seeking views on the scope of a potential free trade agreement between Canada and Thailand. The Canada Gazette notice can be found at this link. Individuals, businesses, and organizations are invited to submit their views by May 22, 2012. If you are based in B.C., please forward a copy of your submission to the email address below.

Canada has seven free trade agreements currently in force with the United States and Mexico (NAFTA), Chile, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel and the European Free Trade Association. A comprehensive list of Canada’s regional and bilateral initiatives is available at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade website: Negotiations and Agreements.

If you have any questions about British Columbia’s interest in international trade policy, please contact the Trade Initiatives Branch:
Email: [Trade.Policy@gov.bc.ca]
Phone: 250 952-0635