ARCHIVED - NAFTA Secretariat — Canadian Section

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SECTION 4 - OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

4.1 Overview

• Mandate:
  • Administers the dispute settlement provisions of NAFTA Chapter 19 and 20;
  • Provide support to the NAFTA Free Trade Commission (See ANNEX A for details). And
  • Administers dispute settlement provisions in Canada's Free Trade Agreements with Israel, Chile and Costa Rica.
• Size:
  • 2007-2008 Actual Spending = $1,617,997
  • Number of FTEs = 10
• Role :
  • Administration of international trade dispute settlement mechanisms by providing registry services and procedural guidance with respect to the Rules of Procedures, Code of Conduct and conflict of interest guidelines that apply to panels of experts who hear and decide on cases brought before them (visit http://www.nafta-sec-alena.org/DefaultSite/index_e.aspx?DetailID=8 for an overview of NAFTA dispute settlement provisions); and
  • Joint administration of dispute settlement panels with the other involved national section(s) following an appeal of a decision made by an investigating authority such as, in Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) and government to government disputes involving two or three Parties.
• Reporting Relationship:
  • Reports to Parliament through the Minister of International Trade (see Section 4.7 for Accountability Structure).

4.2 Who We Are

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.

4.3 Where We Are Located

The national sections, which are "mirror-images" of each other, are located in Ottawa, Washington and Mexico City, and each is headed by a Secretary appointed by her/his respective government.

4.4 How We Are Organized

Each national section maintains a court-like registry relating to panel and committee proceedings. The involved national sections provide joint administration of panel and committee proceedings and share equally all expenses related to such proceedings. As a result, the national sections have harmonized their registry operations and records management practices. Further, the three national sections have jointly developed and administer the Integrated Registry Information System and the NAFTA Trilateral website, which are hosted by the Canadian Section. In light of this, t he Canadian Section's relationship with its counterpart sections in the United States and Mexico is fundamental to its effective performance.

4.5 Roles

In the administration of the dispute settlement provisions of the relevant free trade agreements (see ANNEX A for details), the NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section provides professional and advisory support to panels and committees and coordinates all panel and financial aspects of the process.

In addition to the assistance provided in support of the dispute resolution process, the Canadian Section is also involved in facilitating the operation of these agreements through the provision of information and professional services. This is achieved through initiatives such as the establishment of an Internet website, the maintenance of a library and reference centre, research and analysis of trade related issues and, through collaboration with other national sections, establishment of management, policy, and procedural frameworks.

4.6 Travel Policies

Special Travel Authorities:

The NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section follows the TBS Special Travel Authorities.

Travel Directive, Rates and Allowances:

The NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section follows the TBS Travel Directive, Rates and Allowances.

4.7 Responsibility Chart

The NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section has one program and one business line. For financial accountability purposes, the reporting structure is to Parliament through the Minister of International Trade (see figure 1).

Figure 1. The NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section's Organizational Structure

* Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): A full-time equivalent is the unit of measurement for personnel resources and refers to the employment of one person for one full year or the equivalent thereof. FTEs are not subject to Treasury Board control, but are disclosed in Part III of the Estimates in support of personnel expenditure requirements.

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