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Call for Input
Initial Environmental Assessment of Canada-Singapore FTA Negotiations
With guidance from the 1999
Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan
and Program Proposals, the Government of Canada is conducting
an environmental assessment (EA) of the Canada-Singapore free
trade negotiations. You will recall that the Framework
for Conducting Environmental Assessment of Trade Negotiations
establishes three main phases for conducting an environmental
assessment (EA) of trade negotiations: (1) preparation of an Initial
EA, (2) a Draft EA, and (3) a Final EA. The initial EA phase is
carried out for all negotiations, and identifies the main environmental
issues expected to arise as a result of the negotiations.
Public consultations are an integral part of the EA process.
The Government has conducted initial consultations with the provinces
and territories, as well as with the Sectoral Advisory Groups
on International Trade (SAGITs). The EA is now released for a
60-day public consultation period until July 14, 2004. We welcome
comments on this report, as well as comments on anticipated economic,
environmental and policy-making impacts on Canada as a result
of the Canada-Singapore negotiations. The
Initial EA of the Canada-Singapore free trade negotiations is
available on our website.
The Initial EA does not anticipate likely and significant environmental
impacts on Canada. In accordance with the EA Framework, the full
EA process is not required. As a result, this assessment will
not proceed unless new information becomes available that would
warrant further consideration. Indeed, should the negotiations
with Singapore take a path that may lead to environmental effects
not yet explored in this study, steps will be taken to ensure
they are assessed. In addition, the findings of the Initial EA,
published herein, as well as any new public comments received,
will continue to inform Canadian negotiators.
Thank you.
Claudio Ramirez
Advisor
Trade Policy Consultations and Liaison Division
International Trade Canada
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