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SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

1.1 Message of the Minister

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

1.2 Management Representation Statement

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:

  • It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat guidance;
  • It is based on the department’s strategic outcome(s) and program activities that were approved by the Treasury Board;
  • It presents consistent, comprehensive, balanced, and reliable information;
  • It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to it; and
  • It reports finances based on approved planned spending numbers from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Daniel Plourde
Deputy Secretary
NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section

Date

1.3 Departmental Overview

1.3.1 Raison d’être


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.

1.3.2 Financial and Human Resources

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):


Financial Resources:

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

$3,004,000

$3,004,000

$3,004,000




Human Resources:

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

13 FTEs

13 FTEs

13 FTEs


1.4 Departmental Plans and Priorities

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.


Table 1: Departmental Priorities

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.


Table 2: Departmental Program Activity by Strategic Outcome

 

 

($ thousands)

 

 

Expected Results

 

Planned Spending

 

Contributes to the following
Priorities

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
International Trade
Dispute Settlement
Mechanisms

  • improved support to panels and committees
  • unbiased and equitable administrative processes
  • increased national and international collaborations
  • improved management practices
  • knowledgeable and adaptive workforce

 

3,004

 

 

 

3,004

 

 

 

3,004

 

 

 

Priorities 1 – 6