The bilateral relationship between Canada and the Republic of Chile (Chile)is of significant strategic value for both countries. Canada and Chile have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship for more than 70 years. For the past six years, the Canada-Chile Partnership Framework and several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) have served as a roadmap for the expansion and deepening of collaboration between Canada and Chilein priority sectors, including sustainable development of minerals and metals, energy, science and technology, youth mobility, education and investment promotion.
Furthermore, since the entry into force of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) and its side agreements on environment and labour in 1997, the CCFTA has served as the cornerstone of the bilateral economic relationship, and has supported the expansion and diversification of the commercial relationship.
This strong partnership has been based on shared values and principles, such as the commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and open economies. Common interests and important connections between Canada and Chile have led to converging visions on hemispheric and global matters.
Canada and Chile have decided to renew the Canada-Chile Partnership Framework to reflect the broadening and deepening of the partnership, and to expand it further, through the following priorities:
A. Deepen the Trade and Economic Relationship to Increase Prosperity
1. Trade Liberalization and Integration:
(i) Recognizing the effectiveness of the CCFTA in expanding trade, and the signing of the Amendment Agreement in April 2012, Canada and Chile will continue to implement changes to modernize the CCFTA, for example by bringing the amending agreement into force and implementing updates to the rules of origin. These changes will help increase opportunities for greater bilateral trade.
(ii) Advancing freer trade opens new markets creating opportunities for businesses and jobs in Canada and in Chile. Both countries will continue to build on their productive and mutually beneficial relationship through continued collaboration in regional trade integration initiatives such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Pacific Alliance.
2. Cooperation in the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources, including:
(i) Minerals and Metals:
Sharing a strong commitment to responsible resource development, Canada and Chile will renew their MOU on cooperation on the sustainable development of minerals and metals. Canada and Chile will implement annual Action Plans for the exchange of information, expertise and best practices in areas of collaboration including research and development to reduce the environmental footprint of mining; laws, regulations and policies; multilateral fora addressing environment, trade and market access; promoting public-private and multi-stakeholder exchanges; consultation with communities including indigenous peoples; and promoting industry best practices in corporate social responsibility.
(ii) Geology, Geosciences and Cadastral Management:
Canada and Chile will implement an arrangement to contribute to capacity building of Chilean professionals in the fields of geophysics, mineral exploration and geo-mapping applied to mining. In addition, they will pursue their work towards the signature of a new MOU in the field of cadastral management.
(iii) Energy:
Canada and Chile will exchange information and share best practices in the energy sector, including in priority areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and liquefied natural gas. They will also promote bilateral trade and investment in the energy sector.
(iv) Forestry:
Given the recently signed MOU between Canada’s national forest research institute, FP Innovations, and the Corporación Chilena de la Madera (CORMA), the two countries will pursue collaboration to develop codes and standards for wood products in low-rise and non-residential buildings.
B. Strengthen ties in Education, Innovation, Agriculture and Environment for a Better Future
1. Education Partnerships, Student Mobility and Youth Work Experience:
Canada and Chile will pursue initiatives to encourage partnerships between Canadian and Chilean educational institutions at all levels, and to promote student mobility and research collaboration. Given that work experience abroad is important for their youth, Canada and Chile will work to encourage further youth exchanges under the MOU on youth mobility.
2. Cooperation in Science and Technology and Innovation:
Given the progress made by the Canada-Chile Science, Technology and Innovation Joint Implementation Committee since the signature of the MOU on Science and Technology Cooperation in 2008, Canada and Chile will implement an Action Plan to improve understanding of their existing funding mechanisms, enhance visibility of existing partnerships, and to advance and expand collaboration in (i) Public Health, including cancer and aging (ii) Sustainable Economic Development, including biofuels, mining, genomics, and aquaculture; and (iii) Social Sciences, Higher Education and Young Researcher Mobility.
3. Agriculture:
Building upon our recently agreed reciprocal access for beef and beef products, Canada and Chile will foster trade in this sector. Canada and Chile will identify and advance their cooperation in areas of mutual interest, which may include innovation, genetics, climate change and new pathogens, and research on renewables including bio-based energy and biotechnology.
4. Environmental Cooperation:
Given the strong environmental partnership established over the last 16 years under the Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, Canada and Chile will continue to strengthen results-focused cooperation on environment and sustainable development priorities, and build on common bilateral and multilateral priorities in support of the Agreement. As part of their shared commitment to action on climate change, Canada and Chile will pursue their collaboration on mitigation and adaptation issues, including in protected areas.
5. Culture:
Canada and Chile will facilitate initiatives carried out at the public and private level for the dissemination of reciprocal cultural events, as well as collaborate in matters of heritage conservation and preservation.
C. Deepen the Bilateral and Multilateral Partnership in Governance, Defence and Security
1. Regular High-Level Consultations and Exchanges of Best Practices:
Canada and Chile will conduct regular and privileged biennial consultations at the Deputy Minister level on bilateral relations as a mechanism to review the Framework, and on hemispheric and global matters. They will also share experience on governance with respect to transparency, including open government, indigenous issues, and public safety.
2. Bilateral and Hemispheric Defence and Security Cooperation:
Canada and Chile will continue to expand their bilateral defence collaboration, which has grown in scope and intensity in recent years, particularly since the signature of a MOU on Defence Cooperation in April 2012. Canada and Chile share many common defence goals, including the desire to increase the coherence and effectiveness of the Inter-American Defense Board. Canada and Chile will also seek to contribute to the enhancement of security in the hemisphere. To that end, they have begun working together to support capacity-building in Central America.
3. Close Cooperation on Hemispheric and Global Matters:
Given their tradition of like-mindedness in global matters and in multilateral fora, Canada and Chile will strengthen their international partnership through close cooperation at the United Nations, World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, and the Organization of American States as the principal common hemispheric forum.
Canada and Chile understand that the initiatives outlined in this renewed Canada‑Chile Strategic Partnership Framework will be advanced through cooperation between their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs and other Government ministries.
