As part of its inclusive approach to trade, Canada is developing and implementing policies to ensure that Indigenous Peoples in Canada have access to all the benefits and opportunities that flow from international trade and investment.

“June is National Indigenous Peoples History Month, an opportunity to reflect on our collective past and present, and continue our work towards reconciliation. The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA) honours the founders of trade in what we now call Canada, and provides an avenue for them to play a greater role in designing Canada’s trade and economic development policies. Through IPETCA, we continue our journey with a historic and innovative trade arrangement that will help promote trade and investment opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in markets around the world.”

- Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

“The work of reconciliation must include economic reconciliation. Today, National Indigenous organization partners and colleagues celebrated Canada’s endorsement of the cooperation-based Indigenous Peoples’ Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement. At its heart, this arrangement is about collaboration and will help increase trade and new investments, and grow Indigenous economies in Canada and the Asia Pacific region.”

- Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services

“The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement demonstrates that successful trade, environmental stewardship and honouring the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples can coexist. This unique cooperation-based agreement, developed in partnership with National Indigenous Organizations, recognizes the important contributions of Indigenous communities to Canada’s economy and to sustainable economic development in Canada and abroad.”

 - Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

“The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA) will open new opportunities to strengthen and support Indigenous businesses by assisting Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners to gain critical access to capital and markets. As IPETCA is implemented, I am confident Indigenous businesses across the Prairies, the North and Arctic—across all of Canada—and across the Asia-Pacific region will take advantage of this opportunity, create jobs and grow local economies.”

- Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

“The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement will no doubt lead to many trade and business successes for Indigenous communities across Canada. This collaborative and monumental agreement, which arose out of the Indigenous Working Group on Trade Policy, is a significant step towards economic reconciliation that will benefit many Indigenous communities and businesses.”

- Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

“ The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA) holds the promise of greater collaboration among Indigenous Peoples in the Asia-Pacific region to support our collective prosperity and well-being. The Métis National Council looks forward to contributing to international Indigenous dialogues through IPETCA. We look forward to more economies joining the arrangement and welcoming new Indigenous partners to the circle.”

- Métis National Council

“The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement is precedent-setting. It is inclusive and supports Indigenous Peoples’ worldviews of advancing Indigenous economic development while providing environmental protection for lands, waters and natural resources.”

- Wayne D. Garnons-Williams, member of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee

• The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA) is supported in Canada by the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council, which consists of representatives of the Assembly of First Nations, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the Métis National Council, the National Aboriginal Forestry Association, the International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization, and the National Indigenous Economic Development Board.

• In June 2021, Canada, under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, affirmed the Declaration as an international human rights instrument that informs the interpretation and application of Canadian law.

• IPETCA negotiations were inspired by the Inclusive Trade Action Group, which comprises Canada, Chile and New Zealand. IPETCA negotiations followed the signing of the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement in August 2020.

Related products

• Indigenous Peoples economic and trade cooperation arrangement
• Overview: The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement

Associated links

• Canada’s inclusive approach to trade
• Trade and Indigenous Peoples
• Minister Ng signs new Global Trade and Gender Arrangement with Chile and New Zealand
• Indigenous-Owned Exporting Small and Medium Enterprises in Canada
• Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Assembly of First Nations
• Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
• Métis National Council
• National Aboriginal Forestry Association
• International Intertribal Trade and Investment Organization
• National Indigenous Economic Development Board

Alice Hansen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
613-612-0482
Alice.Hansen@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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