This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.
Summary
This is from the published bill.
This enactment implements the Canada–Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, done at Ottawa on September 22, 2023. Among other things, the enactment (a) sets out rules of interpretation; (b) specifies that no recourse is to be taken on the basis of sections 9 to 15 or any order made under those sections, or on the basis of the provisions of that Agreement, without the consent of the Attorney General of Canada; (c) approves that Agreement; (d) provides for the payment by Canada of its share of the expenditures associated with the operation of the institutional and administrative aspects of that Agreement; (e) gives the Governor in Council the power to make orders in accordance with that Agreement; (f) requires the Minister for International Trade to ensure that Canadian companies operating in Ukraine comply with the principles and guidelines referred to in the Agreement; and (g) amends certain Acts to give effect to Canada’s obligations under that Agreement. Finally, the enactment repeals the Canada–Ukraine Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act that was enacted in 2017.
Elsewhere
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-57s:
C-57 (2017)Law
An Act to amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-57 aims to implement a modernized free trade agreement between Canada and Ukraine, building on the existing 2017 agreement by updating several chapters and adding new ones related to areas such as services, investment, labor, environment, and indigenous affairs. The bill seeks to strengthen economic ties, promote transparency, and support Ukraine's economy during and after the ongoing conflict with Russia, while also considering Canadian interests and values. Concerns have been raised about a potential carbon tax and the need for parliamentary scrutiny.
Liberal
Strong support for Ukraine: The Liberal party demonstrates unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and independence, and views the modernized CUFTA as a means to help Ukraine persevere amid the strife of war, modernize its infrastructure, and create jobs.
Modernization and expansion: The CUFTA updates and expands upon the original 2017 agreement, adding provisions for trade in services and investments, a binding dispute settlement mechanism, labor and environmental protections, and considerations for small- and medium-sized businesses, women-owned businesses, and indigenous-owned businesses.
Benefits for Canada: The agreement opens new avenues for Canadian companies to invest in Ukraine's reconstruction, modernize its infrastructure, and create jobs in both countries, while also aligning with Canada's trade diversification strategy and promoting inclusive trade.
Call for swift passage: The Liberal speakers urged the House to reaffirm its commitment to supporting Ukraine by ensuring the prompt passage of Bill C-57, allowing the agreement to benefit both nations economically and to send a strong message of solidarity to Ukraine.
Conservative
Support for free trade: The Conservative party supports free trade between free nations, viewing it as vital for improving prosperity. Conservatives highlight their history of initiating and negotiating key free trade agreements like CETA, CPTPP, and the original Canada-Ukraine agreement.
Critical of rushed process: While generally supportive of free trade with Ukraine, Conservatives express concern about the government's attempt to quickly pass the bill without adequate scrutiny and consultation. They want to ensure that the agreement is thoroughly studied and benefits Canada, cautioning against repeating past mistakes with other trade agreements.
Focus on energy sector: Conservatives emphasize the importance of Canada's energy sector and its potential to displace Russian energy in Europe, including Ukraine. They criticize the government's lack of action in developing LNG export facilities and suggest exploring opportunities for nuclear energy cooperation with Ukraine.
Need for stakeholder consultation: The Conservatives stress the importance of consulting with stakeholders, especially in the agricultural sector, to ensure the trade agreement benefits Canada. They express concern about potential negative impacts on Canadian industries due to sanitary and phytosanitary measures and the need to address non-tariff barriers.
NDP
In favour of free trade: The NDP are in favour of free trade agreements that protect and create Canadian jobs, protect the environment, and promote the well-being of citizens. The success of trade deals should be measured by good labour agreements and environmental and human rights laws.
Support for Ukraine: The NDP strongly supports Ukraine, especially during the Russian invasion, and views the updated free trade agreement as a positive step in strengthening the Canada-Ukraine relationship. The party emphasizes the importance of being a helpful trading partner to Ukraine during these difficult times.
Transparency concerns: The NDP is concerned about the lack of transparency and consultation in the negotiation and tabling of the bill, as the bill was tabled only last Tuesday and the NDP caucus has not had time to discuss it. They want Parliament to have input into trade negotiations before they begin and sufficient time to debate treaties before ratification.
Indigenous rights: The NDP wants to ensure the protection of Indigenous rights within the trade agreement. They are calling for a non-derogation clause to be included in the legislation to ensure that the established rights of Indigenous people in Canada are not undermined.
Bloc
Supports the modernized agreement: The Bloc Québécois will vote in favour of the modernized 2023 agreement with Ukraine in principle. It sees the updated agreement as an improvement over the 2017 version, with more stringent implementation mechanisms and clearer terms.
Parliamentary input is limited: The Bloc is concerned about the limited ability of Parliament to amend Bill C-57 and influence the contents of international treaties. They believe that elected representatives should have more involvement in shaping trade agreements, rather than simply approving or rejecting them.
Criticism of investor-state provisions: The Bloc opposes the inclusion of investor-state dispute settlement provisions, which allow foreign multinationals to sue a state if a policy hampers their ability to turn a profit. They view these provisions as a threat to national sovereignty and an impediment to governments legislating on social justice, the environment, and public health.
Concern about responsible business conduct: The Bloc finds the chapter on responsible business conduct to be inadequate. They believe it lacks teeth as it merely encourages businesses to adopt voluntary guidelines and principles of corporate social responsibility, without any oversight or verification mechanisms.
Independent
In support of Bill C-57: The member supports Bill C-57, highlighting its role in modernizing the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) by building upon the original 2017 agreement through the addition of 11 new chapters and provisions.
Economic support for Ukraine: The member believes Canada should leverage its economic capabilities to support Ukraine, including exporting Canadian liquefied natural gas to decrease European dependence on Russian gas. He stresses the importance of ensuring trade agreements benefit both Canada and Ukraine.
Acknowledges Conservative contribution: The member commends the Conservatives for negotiating the original Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement and supports free trade with Ukraine, while recognizing Ukraine's need for assistance due to Russian aggression.
Details of updated CUFTA: The updated CUFTA includes new chapters and provisions focusing on trade in services, such as financial investment, digital trade, and labor. It also incorporates elements of progressive trade, including sections on indigenous peoples and a substantial chapter on the environment.
Green
Climate change in trade agreements: The speaker notes that while some Liberal MPs have said this agreement makes an effort to name and tackle climate change, this is not accurate, and there is still a long way to go in addressing the ways the World Trade Organization undermines climate agreements.
Trade sanctions needed: The speaker argues for the importance of trade sanctions in international treaties to ensure compliance, referencing the success of the Montreal Protocol. She laments Canada's shift away from supporting trade sanctions in climate agreements due to the influence of the World Trade Organization.
WTO undermines environmental protection: The speaker contends that the World Trade Organization has prioritized trade over environmental protection, undermining agreements like the Montreal Protocol and hindering climate action. This is because the WTO asked whether environmental agreements get in the way of trade, rather than whether trade agreements get in the way of environmental protection.
Investor protection agreements: The speaker advocates for removing investor protection agreements that undermine democracy, environmental protections, and labor protections. She notes that these agreements allow foreign corporations to sue governments if they feel their profits are threatened by government actions.
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for bringing up the figure of speech I used, I guess wrongly. Yes, there were a lot of health care workers and other essential service providers who were doing incredible work during the COVID restrictions. I meant there was very little travel. All activity slowed down, so that was part of it. I thank her for that, and I was—
If a member participating in person wishes that the motion be carried or carried on division, or if a member of a recognized party participating in person wishes to request a recorded division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.
