In ongoing Canada-EU trade negotiations, the European Commission is seeking full coverage of sub-national (provincial and municipal) procurement. In Canada, as in Europe, many important public services, such as waste, water and public transit, are delivered by local authorities.
The exclusion of local purchasing and services from the procurement restrictions of trade treaties has provided policy flexibility to use such purchasing as a tool for local economic development. It has also reduced the risk of litigation and demands for compensation from foreign investors and service providers when privatisation schemes are halted or reversed.
In this briefing paper, based on his remarks to a Centre for Civic Governance event held in conjunction with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ annual conference, Scott Sinclair explores the implications of the Canada-EU CETA for municipal governments.
Click here to read it.