Montreal – The direct participation of provincial and territorial governments in the negotiation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union was a unique opportunity, says a new paper from the Institute for Research on Public Policy.

Provincial and territorial governments were at the table for the first time during the initial stages of the process leading to CETA. However, Christopher J. Kukucha (University of Lethbridge) observes that they subsequently participated in a consultative, policy-advising capacity, not a negotiating role. The CETA process nevertheless led to improved communication, transparency and cooperation among governments.

Canada’s provincial governments have developed over time a degree of legitimacy on international trade not often granted to subnational governments in other federations, Kukucha concludes. But, he said, “there is little interest, either in Ottawa or among provincial and territorial governments, to make dramatic changes to existing best practices related to international trade negotiation.”

Provincial/Territorial Governments and the Negotiation of International Trade Agreements, by Christopher J. Kukucha, can be downloaded from the Institute’s website (irpp.org).

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Media contact:    Shirley Cardenas    tel. 514-594-6877    scardenas@nullirpp.org