Canada/European Union negotiations – the latest news
Steve Verheul, Canada’s chief negotiator, gave an account to civil society representatives of the latest rounds of discussions by teleconference on Thursday, May 3. Overall, things are not progressing as quickly as hoped. Negotiations are proving to be difficult on a number of fronts, notably because the Europeans must first harmonize their position internally (at the national and sub national level) before trying to come to an agreement with us. Further talks are planned for the months of June and July with hopes to be starting to close the deal in September. Monthly meetings with provinces and territories are being held monthly. Civil society groups will be also kept informed.
Nothing new on the cultural exemption. On copyright however, Verheul reported that good progress is being made. “We are where we need to be”. When asked if the CETA would go beyond C-11, he said Europeans had been insisting that Canada commits to the WIPO Internet Treaties, which it does in C-11. “They are reaching their level of comfort”. Although from the Europeans’ point of view there are still a couple of specific outstanding issues, he doubts that they will be pushing hard knowing that it will cost them to offer us something in return.
Both Quebec’s and Canada’s chief negotiators of the CETA, Mr. Pierre-Marc Johnson and Mr. Steve Verheul, will participate in the Annual General Meeting of the Coalition for Cultural Diversity which will take place in Montréal on Friday June 1. We may get fresher information from them!