“Treaty of Lisbon – What this means for Canada”

In cooperation with the Delegation of the European Commission in Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
Jan 26th, 2010.

Our distinguished speakers provided an update on the CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) negotiations in Brussels in mid January as well as addressing the Treaty of Lisbon and what this means to Canada.

Mr. Maurice Britan, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Programs Division of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade; stressed how important it is for Canada to open new markets and diversify trends. He stated that the EU is the largest trade lock in the world and is Ontario’s 2nd largest trade partner and that as the profile of trade with the EU is different than the one with the US it gives us more opportunities.

He informed the delegates that for the 1st time in international trade negotiations we have the provinces at the negation table, including daily briefing sessions. Canada is lucky in that with the majority approval of the house the treaty can be ratified, whereas the EU has a more convoluted process.

There was a request that the Ontario government needs to hear from businesses and the Ontario Ministry will organize business sessions next month as there are some concerns to their approach re. standardization, regulations, etc.

The negotiations are a long process, but the first evaluation, regarding progress, will take place in October.

Mr. Giovanni Di Girolamo, First Counselor Head of Political and Public Affairs Section, Delegation of the European Union in Canada; expressed how important 2009 was for the EU and Canada as it was the year of the Treaty of Lisbon and negotiations for a CETA.

The Treaty of Lisbon is a mechanism for peace and prosperity, and its objectives are to
1)    Establish a more democratic European Union by giving more power to the parliament. There is now a national parliament, a citizen initiative (where one million people can propose legislation that the Commission consults before making legislation). And now, a member state can leave if they wish to do so. Also there is now a declaration of rights for European citizens.
2)    To increase the efficiency in the decision making system by expanding areas on which the Council can decide.

There is now a President of the EU Council Herman Van Rompuy and a Head of Foreign Affairs & Executive Vice President Baroness Ashton. There will still be the rotating presidencies (currently Spain).

The Treaty of Lisbon is a mechanism for solidarity and establishes the EU and a single legal entity. This is the first major treaty signed in 20 years.

He concluded by saying that the CETA negotiations had gone well with all the provinces in Brussels. CETA is ambitious but there’s a strong political will behind it, they remain positive!

Mr. Jason Langrish, Executive Director, Canada Europe Roundtable for Business, focused on how negotiations have come a long way between Canada and the EU. These talks are not new, as there have been other negotiations in the past but not so broad. Both economies are complimentary and we’re moving very rapidly. The EU relies on resources, and they’re looking for options and Canada looks like a good one. Canada is looking for market access for its products and the EU now looks good. CETA is the most comprehensive agreement that Canada has ever taken. It would be an embarrassment if CETA doesn’t happen. For EU its priorities are Korea, Canada and India, this is the first time the EU has embarked a trade agreement with a developed country. We need to be aware that some negotiations are long term, some issues need time, and we need to put them in context.

Main issues been discussed:
1)    Procurement: provinces are looking positively at it
2)    Intellectual property rights: the EU says Canada’s copy right structure is not strong enough, Canada is tightening.
3)    Agriculture: “we will not have a high quota on cheese”, and overall Canada will be the winner in this area. The EU is not expected to cause any problem in this area as they are interested in expanding services.
4)    Wine and spirits industry: there will be developments
5)    Labor mobility: is going well
6)    Goods: more development is needed in this area

There are 2 issues of concern:
1)    Carbon emissions and the oil sands: which is a huge opportunity for European companies
2)    Seal products: it is anticipated that it should be nearly impossible to kill a trade agreement for an issue like this one.

Mr. Fred McMahon, Vice President, International Policy Research, Fraser Institute
There was a highly informative presentation on statistics relating to Canada and EU trade which was extremely relevant as it pointed out many facts that generally were not know. The Fraser Institute has kindly agreed to make his presentation available: click here.

Last Updated ( Friday, 12 February 2010 01:30 )

European Commission welcomes the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 01 December 2009 16:26

European Commission welcomes the entry into force

of the Treaty of Lisbon

The Treaty of Lisbon enters into force today – 1 December 2009. The occasion will be marked by a ceremony in the City of Lisbon organised jointly by the Portuguese Government, the Swedish Presidency and the European Commission. The Commission believes that the new treaty provides significant new benefits for citizens and will settle the institutional debate for the foreseeable future. This will allow the European Union to fully concentrate on managing a smooth exit from the economic and financial crisis and pushing ahead with the 2020 strategy for greener growth.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 December 2009 16:47 )

EUCOCIT News Update November 2009 - New President of Europe

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 01 December 2009 16:17

EUCOCIT News Update - New President of Europe

EU leaders, meeting in Brussels chose Herman Van Rompuy ( currently the Prime Minister of Belgium ) to be the new President of European Union He is a self-facing, low key 62 year old Christian Democrat economist who enjoys Japanese poetry. He is married with 4 Children. He is a staunch advocate of European integration. He has already announced that it was time that the EU imposed its own taxes and replaced national symbols , such as license plates, identity cards, sporting event, flags and National Anthems with their EU equivalent. It has been leaked that his salary will be approx 368,000 euros ( President Obama 274,000 Euros, President Sarkozy 246,000 Euros, Chancellor Merkel 233,000 Euros, Prime Minister Brown 223,000 Euros ) He will have a staff of 60, ( 22members of Cabinet, 28 support staff and 10 bodyguards ) His office Budget is over 25mill Euros and his travel budget will be over 4mill Euros. A new building will be built in Brussels, 322mill Euros, to house the Presidency and host EU Summits after 2013

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 December 2009 16:26 )

EUCOCIT News Update October 2009 New EU Ambassador in Ottawa

Written by Administrator

Sunday, 01 November 2009 10:35

New EU Ambassador in Ottawa

Ambassador Matthias Brinkmann officially took up his duties as Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Canada on October 2, 2009, when he presented his credentials to the Governor-General, Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, at Government House in Ottawa.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 01 November 2009 10:43 )

EUCOCIT News Up-Date August 2009 - New President of EU Parliament

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 19 August 2009 14:03

Jerzy Buzek, former Polish Prime Minister, has been elected President of the newly elected European Parliament. He received 555 votes on the first ballot out of 736. He joined the EU parliament in 2004, the year of Poland's accession. "Once upon a time I hoped to be a member of the Polish parliament in a free Poland, today I have become the President of the European Parliament, something that I could never have dreamed of “ he said in his acceptance speech. He added that this election came as "a tribute to the millions of people who didn't bow down to the hostile (communist) system." He also said that "Human rights will be a priority and that “there is now no you and us - we live in a shared Europe." He will serve for 30 months as the head of the 736 seat Parliament. It was agreed that A Socialist MEP will serve as the president for the second half.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 January 2010 12:59 )

More Articles...

<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>

Page 1 of 2