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Notice of Intent to Conduct an Environmental Assessment of the Modernization of the WTO Information Technology Agreement

Closing date: June 5, 2013

On May 15, 2012, Canada and other WTO Members commenced discussions to modernize the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

The Government of Canada is conducting an Environmental Assessment (EA) to inform these trade discussions. Comments are invited on any likely and significant environmental impacts on Canada of a modernized WTO Information Technology Agreement.

The Government of Canada is committed to sustainable development. Mutually supportive trade, investment and environmental policies can contribute to this objective. To this end, negotiators endeavor to obtain relevant information and otherwise improve their understanding of the relationship between trade and environmental issues at the earliest stages of decision making through an open and inclusive process. Environmental assessments of trade negotiations are critical to this work.

This process is undertaken in accordance with the 2010 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan, and Program Proposals.

For more information, please visit:

All interested parties are invited to submit their views on any likely and significant environmental impacts on Canada resulting from a modernized WTO ITA by June 5, 2013.

Contributions can be sent by e-mail, fax or mail to:

Environmental Assessment Consultations – Modernization of the WTO Information Technology Agreement
Tariffs and Goods Market Access Division (TPG)
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
John G. Diefenbaker Building
111 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1J1
Fax: 613-992-6002
E-mail: EAconsultationsEE@international.gc.ca