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Abstract

This article examines Canada’s commitments under the procurement chapter of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) currently awaiting ratification by Canada and the European Union (EU). While the CETA’s procurement rules are substantively and procedurally similar to those of the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s Revised Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), Canada’s obligations under CETA penetrate deeply into procurement decisions at all levels of government, including notably those made by municipal entities and other local public bodies such as school boards. CETA retains important exceptions which should preserve the rights of government to pursue some social goals in aid of small businesses and economically deprived areas. It also applies monetary thresholds which should help ensure that the agreement’s primary focus is on contracts awarded to large multinationals. Despite these restrictions, CETA’s fostering of international competition in the previously insulated spheres of government may herald a new era of economic globalization.

Publication Type:	Article
Subjects:	K Law
Departments:	The City Law School > Academic Programmes The City Law School > International Law and Affairs Group
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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