As a result of their deliberations, parliamentary committees may make recommendations that they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government of Canada. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada take actions designed to increase awareness, among American legislators, governmental officials, workers, businesses and voters, about the value of the Canada–U.S. trade relationship.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada, throughout the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, continue to use a whole-of-government approach in explaining the importance of the Canada–U.S. trade relationship, and the implications of that relationship for U.S. businesses and workers.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, prioritize outcomes that would promote Canadian exports, increase wages, and reduce income and wealth inequalities.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada work with the United States and Mexico to ensure that the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations continue to be trilateral. As well, the government should pursue provisions that would enhance the competitiveness of North America as a region.

Recommendation 5

That that the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, pursue changes that would make the agreement more progressive, including in relation to labour, the environment, gender rights, Indigenous peoples and investor–state dispute settlement.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada conduct broad and meaningful consultations with Canadians during trade negotiations with the United States and/or Mexico. Throughout the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the government should consult regularly with provincial/territorial representatives.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada continue to pursue a free trade agreement among the 11 countries that are currently members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, prioritize outcomes that “do no harm.” In particular, the government should pursue provisions that would preserve North America’s integrated value chains and Canada’s access to the U.S. market. As well, the government should continue to advocate for the integrated nature of the North American auto and other integrated sectors.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada address non-tariff barriers that inhibit fair access to North American markets.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, defend Canada’s supply-management systems. As well, the government should not increase the country’s access commitments for imports of supply-managed products.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada continue its negotiations with the Government of the United States designed to resolve the dispute between the two countries concerning U.S. imports of certain Canadian softwood lumber products.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada actively promote, to Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises, the trade promotion services that are available to them, including those provided by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada.  The government should also ensure ongoing federal support for a "one-stop-shop" through which these enterprises are able to access the range of resources dedicated to them.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada make trade-related training more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises, women-owned businesses and multicultural communities. The government should also actively promote this training to these businesses and communities.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada promote any trade training that is offered in colleges and universities with opportunities to partner with businesses for export readiness.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, oppose any changes to the rules-of-origin provisions that would increase costs for businesses or limit their participation in the North American market. In addition, the government should pursue rules of origin that are easy to understand. In communicating with affected businesses about rules of origin, the government should use clear language.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, consider the model provided by the Defence Production Sharing Agreement Between Canada and the United States as it pursues national treatment for Canadian businesses in the United States’ public procurement market.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the Governments of the United States and Mexico, reduce the time needed for goods to cross borders within North America, including by investing strategically in border infrastructure. As well, Canada should work with the United States and Mexico to modernize the processes required for goods and people to cross shared borders, including through more efficient pre-clearance for low-risk shipments and expanded trusted traveler programs.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, work with the Governments of the United States and Mexico to eliminate “red tape” and further harmonize regulations where it is possible to do so without compromising public health, safety or security. As well, the Governments of Canada and the United States should continue to work on initiatives like the Regulatory Cooperation Council, and should consider the establishment of a similar initiative with Mexico.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, pursue provisions that would provide new opportunities for Canadian businesses to engage in online commercial activities. As well, the government should work to ensure that those provisions do not undermine either the competitiveness of Canada’s “bricks-and-mortar” businesses, including retailers, or Canadians’ privacy rights and the security of their data.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, oppose elimination of the cultural exemption.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, oppose provisions that would reduce its ability to ensure that the Canadian intellectual property regime balances the interests of right holders and users. As well, the government should work to preserve Canada’s ability to modernize its regime following domestic reviews.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, oppose changes that would reduce the existing labour mobility commitments. As well, the government should pursue additions to the list of professionals who are eligible for temporary entry.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, work to ensure that the investment provisions allow governments to regulate in the public interest.

Recommendation 24

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, defend the dispute-settlement mechanisms in Chapters 19 and 20.

Recommendation 25

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, pursue environmental provisions that would strengthen the enforcement of environmental standards.

Recommendation 26

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, pursue strong and enforceable labour standards for North America.

Recommendation 27

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, ensure that gender remain an important consideration.

Recommendation 28

That the Government of Canada, during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, continue to advocate for a chapter on Indigenous peoples and seek to include principles contained in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.