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As a trading nation, Canada 's continued prosperity depends on the secure, predictable and enhanced market access provided by trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The NAFTA has made all three partners more competitive. It allows good producers and service providers to better realize their potential by operating a larger and more integrated market. The enhanced economic activity generated by the NAFTA has contributed to the creation of more jobs for Canadians. Since 1993, Canada 's trade in merchandise with its NAFTA partners has more than doubled to reach $597.4 billion in 2006.
However, it is important not to take all this success for granted. A strong, modern and flexible NAFTA is essential for the continent to maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly complex, fast-paced and connected global marketplace. Therefore, w e must continue building on NAFTA’s remarkable success and ensure that the Agreement remains relevant to today’s economic reality. As such, we are committed to working with the U.S. and Mexico to continue building on this record of success through finding ways to further increase North American trade and investment to foster competitiveness and prosperity in all three economies so that North America is well positioned to compete in the new trading environment.
The Canadian Section of the NAFTA Secretariat, through its services of increasing quality in the management of international trade dispute settlement processes, also has a role to play in strengthening Canada's international trade performance. Exporters and investors are far more likely to engage in international commerce when they have access to impartial dispute settlement mechanism and services, should disagreements arise.
In 2008-2009, the NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section, will continue to improve administrative support to panels and committees, foster better collaboration with delivery partners and fully implement the Policy on Information Management. As well, it will continue with its human resources management undertakings to ensure the development and retention of a professional workforce. Further, the review of sustainability of the infrastructure to meet information technology and physical assets needs will be carried out. Additionally, the NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section will develop a strategic plan and an integrated business and human resources plan to strengthen its management accountability. These steps will allow it to continue to offer services of the highest quality in the management of international trade dispute settlement mechanisms for years to come.
The Honourable David Emerson
Minister of International Trade
I submit for tabling in Parliament the 2008–2009 Report on Plans and Priorities for the NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section.
This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide to the Preparation of Part III of the 2008–2009 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:
Daniel Plourde
Deputy Secretary
NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section
Date
The NAFTA Secretariat’s corporate purpose is to maintain a high level, impartial and independent service in the administration of the dispute settlement provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement, in order to help preserve the benefits of free trade for all stakeholders. |
The NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section, is an independent federal agency created in 1994 by an Act of Parliament ( the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act ) (see Annex A for the mandate of the NAFTA Secretariat).
The Canadian Section reports to Parliament, for financial accountability purposes, through the Minister of International Trade (see Section 4.2 – Responsibility Chart).
The NAFTA Secretariat is a unique organization established by the Free Trade Commission, pursuant to Article 2002 of the NAFTA. It comprises the Canadian, the United States and the Mexican national sections.
The national sections, which are "mirror-images" of each other, are located in Ottawa , Washington , D.C. and Mexico City , and each is headed by a Secretary appointed by her/his respective government.
Additional information on the background and operations of the NAFTA Secretariat may be found at the Secretariat’s Internet site: www.nafta-sec-alena.org and www.nafta-sec-alena.org/canada/index_e.aspx.
The two tables below show information on planned utilization of financial and human resources for the coming three-year period (see Section 2 for details):
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
$3,004,000 |
$3,004,000 |
$3,004,000 |
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
13 FTEs |
13 FTEs |
13 FTEs |
The NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section is committed to administer the dispute settlement processes in a timely, fairly and effective manner. In this regard, six priorities have been identified for 2008-2009.
Table 1 summarizes the departmental priorities and planned spending for 2008-2009. This is further described in detail in Section 2.
Departmental Priorities |
Type |
1. Improved administrative support to panels and committees to ensure the just, speedy and inexpensive dispute settlement processes |
Ongoing |
2. Foster better collaboration with delivery partners in the administration of trade disputes |
Ongoing |
3. Continuous improvement of information management |
Ongoing |
4. Increased human resources management to ensure the development and retention of a professional workforce |
Ongoing |
5. Review of sustainability of the infrastructure to meet information technology and physical assets needs |
New |
6. Strategic plan and an integrated Business and human resources plan |
New |
Table 2 summarizes the departmental priorities by strategic outcome for 2008-2009 and the planned spending associated with it.
($ thousands) |
Expected Results |
Planned Spending
|
Contributes to the following |
||||
2008-2009 |
2009-2010 |
2010-2011 |
|||||
Strategic Outcome: A highly efficient, impartial and rules-based international trade dispute resolution process that benefits Canadian exporters to NAFTA countries, as well as NAFTA country exporters doing business in Canada . |
Priorities 1 – 6
|
||||||
Program Activity: Administration of |
|
3,004
|
3,004
|
3,004
|
Priorities 1 – 6
|