The challenges of federalism to Canada’s international trade relations: The Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
| Author | Ali Tejpar |
| Published date | 01 March 2017 |
| Date | 01 March 2017 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0020702017691312 |
| Subject Matter | Policy Briefs |
International Journal
2017, Vol. 72(1) 111–119
!The Author(s) 2017
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DOI: 10.1177/0020702017691312
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Policy Brief
The challenges of
federalism to Canada’s
international trade
relations: The
Canada–European
Union Comprehensive
Economic and Trade
Agreement
Ali Tejpar
University of Ottawa Faculty of Law; Norman Paterson School of
International Affairs, Carleton University
Abstract
As one of the first ‘‘second-generation’’ free trade agreements that address indirect and
non-tariff barriers, the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade
Agreement (CETA) is likely to serve as an international model. CETA, however,
highlights significant challenges for Canadian federalism in both the negotiation and
implementation processes of this and any such future trade agreements. While the
inclusion of sub-federal governments allows for provinces/territories to help shape
the provisions that fall within their jurisdictions, this paper argues that subsequent
challenges arise in conveying a unified Canadian commitment to implement the
agreement. Overall, the CETA negotiations demonstrated the significant institutional
weaknesses of current federal–provincial/territorial relations with respect to
international trade agreements. In the Canadian context, this suggests a need for
‘‘summit federalism’’ to ensure that all federal–provincial/territorial governments align
their terms and interests and convey a unified commitment to fulfilling Canada’s current
and future international trade agreements.
Corresponding author:
Ali Tejpar, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, 57 Louis Pasteur Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5,
Canada; Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, 5306 River Building, 1125
Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada.
Email: tejpar.ali@uottawa.ca
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