2 October 2013
Ottawa, Ontario
The Asia-Pacific region is a priority for Canadaand our Government has been actively pursuing a number of important initiatives with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies and within the region.
Since 2006, there have been numerous Canadian high -level visits to APEC economies to promote closer ties between Canada and the region. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has visited countries in the region on more than 20 occasions. These include visits to Australia (2007 and 2011), Chile (2007 and 2012), China (2009 and 2012), Japan (2008, 2010 and 2012), Peru (2008 and 2013), the Philippines (2012), Russia (2006, 2012 and 2013), Singapore (2009), South Korea (2009, 2010 and 2012), Thailand (2012), and Vietnam (2006), as well as numerous visits to the United States and Mexico.
Recent Regional Accomplishments and Initiatives
APEC: In March 2013, Canada reduced remaining environmental goods’ tariffs to five per cent, thereby meeting its APEC commitment two years ahead of schedule. Canada already had a most-favoured-nation rate of five per cent or lower on most environmental goods. Since 2009, Canada has eliminated tariffs on close to 1,900 tariff items and provided more than $525 million in annual tariff relief to Canadian businesses and consumers. Canada is also the first G-20 country to become a tariff-free zone for industrial manufacturers.
Trans-Pacific Partnership: In October 2012, Canada joined the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Twelve countries are currently participating in the TPP negotiations, which include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. The TPP market represents more than 792 million people and a combined GDP of $27.5 trillion—more than 38 percent of the world’s economy.
Pacific Alliance: In October 2012, Canada became the first non-Latin American country to become an observer to this four-nation alliance of countries in the Americas. In May 2013, Prime Minister Harper attended the Pacific Alliance Leaders’ Summit in Cali, Colombia.
Southeast Asia: In November 2012, Prime Minister Harper announced support for an initiative that will promote the empowerment of women in eight Southeast Asian countries by ensuring that their justice systems are more equitable and help to create regional standards with respect to equality between men and women.
ASEAN: In July 2013, Canada announced details of additional funding commitments for ASEAN-Canada cooperative initiatives in areas such as financial regulation, public-private partnerships, disaster risk reduction and response.
ASEAN: In August 2012, Canada announced the creation of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, which focuses on advancing private-sector cooperation between Canadian and Southeast Asian businesses.
ASEAN: In October 2011, Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade signed a joint declaration on trade and investment with the ASEAN member countries, a grouping which cumulatively represents Canada's 7th largest trading partner. In August 2012, a work plan to implement this declaration was adopted and in August 2013, the second ASEAN Economic Ministers-Canada Consultations were held in Brunei.
Passports: On July 1, 2013, Canada started offering an enhanced ePassport to all Canadians. The new ePassport introduces technologically advanced features to prevent fraud and enhance security – including an electronic chip – in compliance with the recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Visas: In March 2013, Canada announced that more than 15,000 Parent and Grandparent Super Visas had been issued since the program’s launch in December 2011. The Visa is valid for up to 10 years and allows its holder to remain in Canada for up to 24 months.
Visas: In January 2012, the Government of Canada announced plans to expand and standardize its visa application centre (VAC) network into a new global model. Canada currently has 99 VACs in 71 countries. Under the new global VAC model, Canada envisions expanding this network to over 130 VACs by 2014.
Human Smuggling: In March 2012, Prime Minister Harper announced Canadian support for projects that will combat transnational organized crime and save lives in Southeast Asia by addressing threats of human smuggling, which also affect Canada’s security.
Food Security: In June 2012 at the G-20 meeting, Prime Minister Harper announced $40 million over five years for AgResults, a Canadian-led initiative that brings together a public-private development partnership consisting of Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Italy, the United States, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. AgResults is designed to improve food security in the developing world by offering an incentive for the private sector to pursue new and innovative solutions to food security.
Education: In 2012, Canada was host to nearly 144,000 students from APEC member economies, an increase of more than 32,000 students since 2006. In July 2012, Canada released a report showing that international students contributed more than $8 billion to the Canadian economy in 2010, which was up from $6.5 billion in 2008.
Transportation: Since 2006, the Government of Canada has partnered with all four western provinces, municipalities and the private sector to announce Asia-Pacific Gateway infrastructure projects that are worth more than $3.5 billion, including federal contributions of over $1.4 billion. This includes the September 2013 announcement to strengthen the border, improve marine container inspection capacity, and improve efficiency at Port Metro Vancouver.
Extractive Sector: In June 2013, Prime Minister Harper announced that the Government of Canada will establish new mandatory reporting standards for Canadian extractive companies with a view to enhancing transparency on the payments they make to governments.
Health: In September 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced support in the amount of $203.55 million for nine projects that will help improve the health of women and children in developing countries. The announcement was made at a United Nations event entitled Women’s and Children’s Health: The Unfinished Agenda of the Millennium Development Goals. This announcement was in support of Canada’s broader 2010 G-8 Muskoka Initiative commitments.
Recent Bilateral Accomplishments and Initiatives
Chile
The Amending Agreement of the Canada Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) came into force on September 30, 2013. This Amending Agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Harper and Chilean President Sebastián Piñera, during the Prime Minister’s official visit to Chile in April 2012. In May 2013, Canada’s Office of the Chief Economist released a report which revealed the economic benefits of the CCFTA.
In November 2012, the Chilean “Penguins Without Borders” program was launched in Santiago to increase opportunities for Chilean students to study abroad. During the Chilean President’s state visit to Canada in May 2013, Prime Minister Harper and President Piñera announced that under this program, 40 Chilean students will attend Canadian public high schools for one semester.
In August 2013 during his official visit to Chile, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced a joint cooperation project with Chile to strengthen security in Central America.
In May 2013, during Chilean President Piñera’s state visit to Canada, the President and Prime Minister Harper signed the renewed Canada-Chile Strategic Partnership Framework, extending cooperation for sustainable development of natural resources, strengthening ties in the areas of education, innovation, agriculture and the environment, and consolidating the bilateral and multilateral partnership in the areas of governance, defence and security. During this visit, several agreements were signed, and Prime Minister Harper announced that Canadian beef producers will now benefit from full market access to Chile for beef exports.
During Prime Minister Harper’s visit to Chile in April 2012, leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Chile and the Department of National Defence of Canada.
China
In August 2013, Canada and China agreed to advance defence cooperation by signing a Cooperation Plan Initiative to formalize joint defence activities and exchange views on issues of common interest.
In July 2013, Canada announced the successful conclusion of an expanded air transport agreement with China that will give airlines the flexibility to offer more travel options and help Canadian airports attract new flight links, which will help to create economic opportunities in Canada and China.
In June 2013, Canada and China announced that they will work more closely to combat transnational crime through the seizure, sharing and return of proceeds of crime.
In June 2013, Canada and China signed two agreements that will contribute to global food security goals, including the establishment of an animal health working group and an agreement on Grains and Oilseeds that aims to provide long-term, stable and predictable market access for Canadian wheat, barley and soybeans to China.
In June 2013, Canada was granted new market access for fresh cherry exports from British Columbia to China. The BC Cherry Association estimates that by 2014, the sales value of fresh cherries to China will be $10 million and will increase to $20 million over the next five years.
Two giant pandas are currently at the Toronto Zoo for five years, and will then be moved to the Calgary Zoo for another five years. The pandas have been tremendously popular at the Toronto Zoo thus far.
In April 2013, Canadian canola producers and exporters gained expanded access to the lucrative Chinese market with the approval of an additional oilseed crushing facility. This expansion will increase opportunities for sales in a market that bought over $1.9 billion of Canadian canola seed in 2012.
In January 2013, China approved four additional Canadian beef facilities to export beef to China, which will increase the Canadian export capacity for beef in a market estimated by the industry to be worth approximately $20 million annually.
Canada and China signed a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) in September 2012. Once implemented, this FIPA will provide stronger protection for Canadians investing in China, and facilitate the creation of jobs and economic growth in Canada.
In August 2012, the Canada-China Economic Complementarities Study was released, which highlighted the strong momentum and expansion in Canada-China trade and economic relations. The study concluded that Canada and China should continue to strengthen their bilateral economic ties through appropriate bilateral instruments that help their citizens build a prosperous and sustainable future.
In July 2012, Canada and China signed an agreement facilitating the export of Canadian uranium to China. The agreement is a Protocol that supplements the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy of 1994.
In May 2012, Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Fisheries Cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture. This MoU provides a broad framework for strengthening collaboration in international fora, including regional fisheries management organizations and sharing best practices in fisheries management. It builds on the successful implementation of the Canada-China Memorandum of Understanding on Marine and Fisheries Science and Technology that was signed in 2010.
In February 2012, Export Development Canada signed an agreement with the China Development Bank Corporation (CDB) to identify projects between Chinese and Canadian companies that could be facilitated through partnered financing. The signing was witnessed by Prime Minister Harper. The focus of the agreement is on key sectors including transportation and aerospace, but also encompasses the machinery, energy, mining and green technology sectors.
Hong Kong
In November 2012, Prime Minister Harper and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Leung Chun-ying, witnessed the signing of a new tax treaty that will increase trade and investment between the two economies.
India
In July 2013, Canada welcomed the opening of India’s market to Canadian eastern-spruce products.
In June 2013, Canada and India marked the conclusion of the eighth round of negotiations toward a Canada-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement. In November 2010, Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the start of free trade negotiations during the G-20 Summit in Seoul.
In April 2013, Export Development Canada announced US$600 million in new transactions that will facilitate new export business between Canadian companies and Indian multinationals.
In November 2012, Prime Minister Harper together with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, announced the conclusion of negotiations for the Administrative Arrangement between Canada and India that will permit the implementation of the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA), signed between the two countries in June 2010. In September, 2013, Canada and India completed the exchange of diplomatic notes, which is the final step in bringing into force the Canada-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.
In November 2012, Prime Minister Harper announced plans to open a new consulate in Bangalore, India, which demonstrates Canada's ongoing commitment to strengthening commercial and social ties with India.
In November 2012, Prime Minister Harper and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh witnessed the signing of the Canada-India Social Security Agreement. This will enable Canada and India to better coordinate the pension benefits and contributions for their citizens who have worked in both countries.
In November 2012, Prime Minister Harper announced that the Government of Canada had selected the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnership to Accelerate Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS) as the winner of the Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence (CIRCE) competition announced in Budget 2011.
Indonesia
In August 2013, during the third Bilateral Consultative Forum in Ottawa, Canada and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding on programming related to counterterrorism capacity building, which will increase opportunities for mutual cooperation and training.
In 2009, as part of Canada’s Aid Effectiveness Agenda, Indonesia was selected as a country of focus for international development.
Japan
In September 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that they had reached an agreement in principle on the Canada-Japan Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, which will facilitate future defence cooperation between the two countries.
In July 2013, Canada and Japan held a third round of negotiations toward a Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement that will deepen the trade and investment ties between Canada and Japan.
In January 2013, Canada welcomed a science-based decision by Japan that expands market access to Canadian beef from cattle less than 30 months of age.
In March 2012, Canada and Japan signed a Memorandum that will serve as a framework for collaboration between the Canadian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Korea
In September 2012, Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird and his Korean counterpart signed a Joint Declaration on Enhancing the Strategic Dialogue making a commitment to meet on an annual basis. The pair also signed a MoU to strengthen international development cooperation between Canada and Korea.
In January 2012, Korea reopened its market to Canadian beef less than 30 months of age. In June 2012, Canada formally terminated the World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel on the issue of the Republic of Korea’s ban on Canadian beef imports.
Mexico
The Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program is the main channel for Canada’s security cooperation with Mexico. Over $8.3 million in programming for security capacity building has been contributed between 2009 and 2013, including for the November 2012 announcement of support for a project that is helping Mexican law schools train their students for ongoing reforms to Mexico’s criminal justice system.
New Zealand
In May 2012, a new Convention between Canada and New Zealand for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to income taxes was signed.
Peru
In June 2013, Prime Minister Harper announced that Canada is taking a leadership role within the G-8 by working with Peru and Tanzania to increase transparency and strengthen governance in their oil, gas and mining sectors, as well as to help ensure their citizens derive the maximum benefit from their natural resources.
In May 2013 in Lima, Prime Minister Harper and President Humala marked the conclusion of negotiations of a modernized and expanded Canada-Peru air transport framework, which replaces the 1955 bilateral Air Transport Agreement and sets the stage for more flights, which will benefit passengers and businesses. The agreement came into effect in August 2013.
In May 2013, Prime Minister Harper announced Canadian support for new development initiatives in Peru that will help the country take full advantage of its wealth of natural resources and improve basic education for children.
In May 2013, Prime Minister Harper announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Peru, which will create new opportunities for Canadian businesses in the defence and security sectors.
Canada and Peru are cooperating on environmental issues through the 2010-2015 Work Plan under the Canada-Peru Environment Agreement in areas such as climate change and conservation of biodiversity.
In June 2012, market access to Peru was restored for Canadian bone-in beef less than 30 months of age, boneless beef of all ages, and offal. In February 2012, Peru published a resolution allowing the import of Canadian cattle to resume.
Working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Canada is helping to strengthen the capacity of the Peruvian Government to plan and manage energy resources efficiently and in a sustainable manner.
As the main supporter of the multi-donor fund of Peru's National Office of the Ombudsman, Canada has contributed to the training of over 1,500 public officials, civil servants (national and regional) and civil society representatives on conflict prevention and management. This included training in dialogue and facilitation, negotiation and the right to prior consultation of indigenous peoples.
In 2009, as part of Canada’s Aid Effectiveness Agenda, Peru was selected as a country of focus for international development.
Philippines
In August 2013, Canada announced it was providing assistance to those affected by Typhoon Labuyo. In December 2012, Canada announced that it was providing additional humanitarian assistance to those affected by Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines.
In November 2012, Prime Minister Harper announced a MoU between Canada and the Philippines that will help facilitate new opportunities for Canadian businesses in the defence and security sectors by enabling the Philippines to acquire Canadian defence and security related equipment, systems and services.
In November 2012, Prime Minister Harper announced support for an initiative that will promote economic growth and employment in the Philippines.
In June 2012, John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed a MoU to establish a joint commission for bilateral cooperation between Canada and the Philippines. The commission will facilitate continued dialogue and increase cooperation between the two countries on a variety of areas of mutual interest.
In January 2012, Canada successfully secured access for live cattle, sheep and goats to the Philippines, a new market for producers.
Chinese Taipei
In February 2013, Saskatchewan poultry producers gained access to the lucrative Taiwanese market for the first time since 2007.
Thailand
In March 2012, Canada and Thailand announced the launch of formal exploratory discussions toward a potential Canada-Thailand free trade agreement.
In March 2012, Prime Minister Harper and Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra witnessed the signing of a Declaration of Intent to conclude a bilateral arrangement on youth exchanges. The arrangement enables young people from both countries to broaden their horizons and develop a better understanding of each other’s cultures.
United States
In May 2013, Canada adopted strict environmental standards to reduce air emissions from ships navigating in Canadian waters. It is expected that these new standards will result in an annual reduction of ship-sourced greenhouse gases (GHGs) of 9 per cent, or 11 Mt annually, by 2025.
In April 2013, Canada announced that access to federal and provincial environmental monitoring data on air, water, land and biodiversity in the oil sands is now available through an online data portal (www.JointOilSandsMonitoring.ca). The new portal represents the next stage of progress for the Joint Canada–Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring, announced in February 2012.
In January 2013, Canada and the U.S. increased and harmonized the value thresholds for expedited customs clearance, which will facilitate and expedite trade between the two countries.
In June 2012, Canada announced the conclusion of an agreement with the State of Michigan towards building a new publicly owned bridge crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. The new Detroit River International Crossing will facilitate the movement of people and goods between Canada and the U.S. by ensuring that there is sufficient border-crossing capacity to handle projected growth in cross border trade and traffic in the Windsor-Detroit trade corridor.
In June 2012, Canada and the U.S. announced Phase 2 of the Clean Energy Dialogue which supports collaboration in three key areas aimed at accelerating the transition to low carbon economies, including: clean energy research and development and energy efficiency; carbon capture and storage; and building a more efficient electricity grid.
In January 2012, Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, and the U.S. Trade Representative signed a two-year extension to the 2006 Canada-United States Softwood Lumber Agreement. The extension secures Canadian softwood lumber access to the U.S. market until 2015.
In December 2011, Prime Minister Harper and President Obama announced that Canada and the U.S. have agreed to implement two action plans designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, improve security in North America, and align regulatory approaches between the two countries. The joint progress report was released in December 2012 and details the efforts made by both governments to achieve Action Plan objectives and identifies areas for improvement.
Vietnam
In March 2013, Canada announced that it is providing assistance and expertise to help Vietnam modernize and strengthen its banking system and financial regulations.
In August 2012, Canada signed an MoU with Vietnam for a skills training project.
In 2009, as part of Canada’s Aid Effectiveness Agenda, Vietnam was selected as a country of focus for international development.
