Canadian free trade agreement
Format à 2000-‐2500
MLA
At least 3 academic sources
Background à Since the 1980s, Canada has entered into an increasing number of
international free trade agreements. Some advocates have argued that such
agreements are broadly positive for our country; critics and opponents contend that
free trade brings with it a number of perils for Canadian sovereignty and economic
well-‐being.
Topic à Select a Canadian free trade agreement (such as the Trans-‐Pacific
Partnership of 2015-‐16) and describe the circumstances of its negotiation (in broad
terms), parties, and key elements. Identify one or more contentious areas involved
in the agreement and discuss, providing reasoned argument about whether or not
Canadian participation is a good thing.
Starting points:
-‐ Jeff Colgan, The Promise and Peril of International Trade.
-‐ Marc D. Froese, Canada at the WTO: Trade Litigation and the Future of Public
Policy.
-‐ Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, “Making Sense of the CETA” (available
for download at www.policyalternatives.ca )
-‐ Schwanen, Daniel, “Free Trade Transformed Canada's Economy”. Globe and Mail,
30 Dec. 2013: A9.
-‐ Canada; Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, “Canada's Free Trade
Agreements”. Government of Canada.