Public consultations on Canada’s possible accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA)
Join the discussion: Canada’s possible accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement
Closed
2021-03-19
2021-05-03

Join the discussion: Canada’s possible accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement

Current status: Open

Opened on March 19, 2021 and will close on May 3, 2021.

The Government of Canada is seeking input from Canadians regarding the possibility of Canada joining the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) between Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore (DEPA parties). In advance of possible future accession negotiations with the DEPA Parties, the Government of Canada is seeking views on the existing commitments contained in the text of the agreement, as well as views on how the DEPA could be updated to further facilitate international trade in the digital economy.

A summary of stakeholder input will be published following the consultation, after which, stakeholders will be able to provide further comments.

Join in: how to participate

The Government of Canada is seeking the views of industry stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and all interested Canadians.

To participate in the consultation, interested parties are encouraged to review the background information as well as the Government of New Zealand’s text of the agreement (PDF), and provide written comments before the consultation period closes on May 3, 2021. Upon request, an unofficial French translation of the DEPA text is available, however, please note that this translation has not been reviewed from a jurilinguist perspective.

Please read the privacy notice statement carefully before sending a written submission, as it outlines how information will be collected and used.

Who is the focus of this consultation?

The consultation is open to all Canadians. Any stakeholder or individual interested in international digital trade issues is invited to provide input as part of this consultation, including but not limited to:

  • Canadian businesses, including micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises
  • industry associations
  • academics and experts
  • provincial, territorial, and municipal governments
  • Indigenous peoples
  • civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations
  • labour unions
  • women’s associations; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 2-spirit stakeholders; and other community groups

The Government of Canada is seeking views from a diverse range of Canadians and welcomes input from traditionally under-represented groups.

Purpose of the consultations

The Government of Canada is seeking to:

  • Inform Canada’s positions, interests, and any sensitivities prior to engaging in possible DEPA accession negotiations with Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore
  • Hear stakeholders’ views on the DEPA text as it currently exists, as well as to hear views on how the DEPA could be updated to advance international digital trade and address any barriers

What is the deadline for consultation submissions?

The submission period for the Canada Gazette notice will last 45 days, and end on May 3, 2021. The Government of Canada is committed to hearing from Canadians on this topic and will ensure that Canadians continue to have the opportunity to provide their views as we engage with DEPA parties, including through our ongoing consultation efforts.

Contact us

DEPA Accession Consultations
Services Trade Policy Division (TMS)
Global Affairs Canada
111 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON, K1A 0G2
Email: TMSconsultation@international.gc.ca

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