Frequently Asked Questions: Canada’s Trade Remedy System

Canada’s trade remedy system provides recourse for Canadian producers that are injured by unfairly traded goods entering the Canadian market.

Under this system, Canadian producers can request an investigation against specific countries whose exporters are alleged to be selling dumped or subsidized goods in the Canadian market. Where an investigation shows that dumping or subsidization has occurred and resulted in injury or threat of injury to domestic producers, anti-dumping or countervailing duties can be applied.

The Minister of Finance has policy and legislative responsibility for the trade remedy system. Trade remedy investigations are jointly administered by the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.

The trade remedy system levels the playing field and helps preserve a fair and open trading environment for Canadian producers. Without it, foreign producers could sell goods in the Canadian market at artificially low and unsustainable prices, undermining the ability of Canadian producers to compete.

A modern and effective trade remedy system is essential to fostering the conditions for manufacturing growth and new investment in Canada.

Global trade conditions have evolved significantly in recent years, and it is important that Canadian producers have the appropriate tools to respond to those changes.

Through this consultation, the views of a wide range of stakeholders are being sought regarding the design and impact of eight potential amendments to the trade remedy system’s primary legislation, the Special Import Measures Act.

Interested stakeholders may include domestic producers that use the trade remedy system, as well as others with an interest in trade remedies, such as importers, exporters and consumers.

The consultation is open for a period of 60 days, ending June 29, 2016.

The Government will review all submissions received over the consultation period and take the views presented into account in considering potential amendments to the Special Import Measures Act.