The Canadian Environment Domestic Advisory Group (CEDAG)

The Canadian Environment Domestic Advisory Group (CEDAG) is a public advisory committee comprised of experts appointed by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, representing environmental organizations, business associations, Indigenous organizations and think tanks. The CEDAG’s role is to facilitate public engagement in Canada’s environmental cooperation under the Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) through three main functions:

Members

Annual reports

Each year the CEDAG submits an annual report to ECCC highlighting the group’s priorities, engagement and activities carried out during the year, as well as providing an overview of activities planned for the following year. Reports are drafted by the CEDAG members.

Annual meetings

The CEDAG holds annual meetings to review its work, assess priorities and plan for the year ahead. Short summaries of these meetings can be found below. 

February 13, 2023

Summary

During the fourth annual meeting, the CEDAG welcomed the newly appointed members, George Christidis, Heather Gallant, André-Yanne Parent and Tara Shea. Members discussed amending the Rules of Procedure and the election of the new Co-Chairs for a one-year term. The meeting concluded with an exchange on priority topics of interest for the year ahead.

September 29, 2021

Summary

The third annual meeting focused on discussing the upcoming international conferences and negotiations on climate and the environment. The CEDAG also worked on drafting the annual report and planning for the year ahead, including a workshop on biodiversity and trade.

March 3, 2020

Summary

The second annual meeting set out the committee’s work plan for 2020-2021 and included discussions on Canadian environmental priorities with then ECCC Deputy Minister Christine Hogan.

August 28, 2019

Summary

The CEDAG’s first annual meeting facilitated its full establishment by providing members with an overview of CETA, outlining the expectations for the advisory group and discussing the proposed rules of procedure.

Canada-EU Domestic Advisory Groups Joint Statements

The Canadian and European Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) established under the CETA meet annually to discuss the implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapters and draft a Joint Statement that is presented to the CETA TSD Committee.

Events

June 27, 2022 - CEDAG Workshop on Biodiversity and Energy Security

Summary

The CEDAG hosted a private workshop with two guest speakers to enhance their understanding of biodiversity and energy security in the context of CETA. Participants explored the impacts of trade on biodiversity and compared them with the increasingly visible effects of climate change. They also discussed options to achieve an energy-secure and net-zero future as well as the evolving role of energy in Canada-EU relations.

October 22, 2021 - CEDAG Workshop on Circular Economy and Regulatory Cooperation

Summary

The CEDAG held a private workshop with guest speakers to discuss circular economy and Canada’s potential for circularity under CETA in addition to international regulatory cooperation as a tool to advance shared international environmental goals.

May 6, 2021 – Workshop on Climate Change, Net Zero Emissions and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms in the Context of Trade under CETA

Summary

The CEDAG held a private workshop on climate change, net zero emissions and carbon border adjustment mechanisms. The discussion touched on the shift of global trade investments towards green goods, green energy, and a greener economy.

March 2, 2020 – CETA Environmental Civil Society Workshop

Summary

The CEDAG invited trade and environment experts from a wide range of organizations, including business associations, environmental groups, think tanks, academia and Indigenous organizations to share insights on how CETA can advance Canada and the EU’s international and domestic sustainability and environmental commitments. This was the first workshop hosted by the CEDAG to deepen Canadian participation in these aspects of CETA implementation.

The workshop featured expert speakers presenting on four topics:

  1. Implementing CETA in alignment with global environmental goals;
  2. Indigenous rights and trade;
  3. Mutual support between multilateral trade agreements and multilateral environment agreements; and
  4. Domestic enhancement of Canada and the EU’s climate commitments.

Related links

Contact us

Environment and Climate Change Canada
International Affairs Branch
Bilateral Affairs and Trade Directorate
17th Floor, Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0H3

Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

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