Canada–Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act

Contents

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1Short title#

This Act may be cited as the Canada–Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act.

2Definitions#

The following definitions apply in this Act.

Agreement means the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Korea, done at Ottawa on September 22, 2014. (Accord)

Commission means the Joint Commission established under Article 20.1 of the Agreement. (Commission)

federal law means the whole or any portion of an Act of Parliament or a regulation, order or other instrument issued, made or established in the exercise of a power conferred by or under an Act of Parliament. (texte législatif fédéral)

Minister means the Minister for International Trade. (ministre)

3Interpretation consistent with Agreement#

For greater certainty, this Act and any federal law that implements a provision of the Agreement or fulfils an obligation of the Government of Canada under the Agreement is to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Agreement.

4Non-application of Act or Agreement to water#

For greater certainty, nothing in this Act or the Agreement applies to natural surface or ground water in liquid, gaseous or solid state.

5Construction#

For greater certainty, nothing in this Act, by specific mention or omission, is to be construed to affect in any manner the right of Parliament to enact legislation to implement any provision of the Agreement or fulfil any of the obligations of the Government of Canada under the Agreement.

Her Majesty

6Binding on Her Majesty#

This Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada.

Purpose

7Purpose#

The purpose of this Act is to implement the Agreement, the objectives of which, as elaborated more specifically through its provisions, are to

(a)establish a free trade area in accordance with the Agreement;

(b)promote, through the expansion of reciprocal trade, the harmonious development of the economic relations between Canada and the Republic of Korea in order to create opportunities for economic development;

(c)promote conditions of fair competition affecting trade between Canada and the Republic of Korea;

(d)substantially increase investment opportunities in Canada and the Republic of Korea;

(e)eliminate barriers to trade in goods and services in order to contribute to the harmonious development and expansion of world and regional trade;

(f)enhance and enforce environmental laws and regulations and strengthen cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Korea on environmental matters;

(g)protect, enhance and enforce basic workers’ rights, strengthen cooperation on labour matters, and build on the respective international commitments of Canada and the Republic of Korea on labour matters; and

(h)promote sustainable development.

Causes of Action

8Causes of action under sections 9 to 15#

(1)No person has any cause of action and no proceedings of any kind are to be taken, without the consent of the Attorney General of Canada, to enforce or determine any right or obligation that is claimed or arises solely under or by virtue of sections 9 to 15 or an order made under those sections.

(2)Subject to Section B of Chapter 8 and Annex 18-E of the Agreement, no person has any cause of action and no proceedings of any kind are to be taken, without the consent of the Attorney General of Canada, to enforce or determine any right or obligation that is claimed or arises solely under or by virtue of the Agreement.

Part 1 · Implementation of the Agreement

Approval

9Agreement approved#

The Agreement is approved.

Administrative and Institutional Provisions

10Canadian representative on Commission#

The Minister is the principal representative of Canada on the Commission.

11Payment of expenditures#

The Government of Canada is to pay its appropriate share of the aggregate of any expenditures incurred by or on behalf of the Commission.

Panels, Committees, Subcommittees, Working Groups and Other Bodies

12Powers of Minister#

(1)The Minister may

(a)appoint representatives of Canada to any committee, subcommittee, working group or other body referred to in paragraph 5 of Article 20.1 of the Agreement;

(b)appoint a panellist in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 21.7 of the Agreement; and

(c)propose candidates to serve as the chair of a panel in accordance with that Article 21.7.

(2)The Minister of the Environment may

(a)appoint representatives of Canada to the Environmental Affairs Council referred to in Article 17.11 of the Agreement;

(b)select a panellist in accordance with paragraph 1 of Annex 17-A of the Agreement; and

(c)propose candidates to serve as the chair of a panel of experts, or select the chair, in accordance with paragraph 2 of that Annex.

(3)The Minister of Labour may

(a)select a panellist in accordance with paragraph 1 of Annex 18-D of the Agreement; and

(b)propose candidates to serve as the chair of a Review Panel, or select the chair, in accordance with that paragraph.

13Administrative support#

The Minister is to designate an agency, division or branch of the Government of Canada to facilitate the operation of Chapter 21 of the Agreement and to provide administrative assistance to panels established under that Chapter.

14Payment of costs#

The Government of Canada is to pay the costs of or its appropriate share of the costs of

(a)the remuneration and expenses payable to members of panels, committees, subcommittees, working groups and other bodies, to independent experts and to the assistants of panel members; and

(b)the general expenses incurred by panels, committees, subcommittees, working groups and other bodies.

Orders

15Orders re Article 21.11 of Agreement#

(1)The Governor in Council may, for the purpose of suspending benefits in accordance with Article 21.11 of the Agreement, by order, do any one or more of the following:

(a)suspend rights or privileges granted by Canada to the Republic of Korea or to goods of the Republic of Korea under the Agreement or any federal law;

(b)modify or suspend the application of any federal law, with respect to the Republic of Korea or to goods of the Republic of Korea;

(c)extend the application of any federal law to the Republic of Korea or to goods of the Republic of Korea;

(d)take any other measure that the Governor in Council considers necessary.

(2)Unless repealed, an order made under subsection (1) has effect for the period specified in the order.