Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
Short Title
This Act may be cited as the Canada–Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act.
Interpretation
The following definitions apply in this Act.
Agreement means the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Panama, done at Ottawa on May 14, 2010. (Accord)
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)
Joint Commission means the Joint Commission established under Article 21.01 of the Agreement. (Commission mixte)
Minister means the Minister for International Trade. (ministre)
For greater certainty, this Act and any federal law that implements a provision of the Agreement or a related agreement or fulfils an obligation of the Government of Canada under the Agreement or a related agreement is to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Agreement or related agreement, as the case may be.
For greater certainty, nothing in this Act or the Agreement applies to natural surface or ground water in liquid, gaseous or solid state.
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 a related agreement or fulfil any of the obligations of the Government of Canada under the Agreement or a related agreement.
Her Majesty
This Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada.
Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to implement the Agreement and the related agreements, the objectives of which, as elaborated more specifically through their provisions, are to
establish a free trade area in accordance with the Agreement;
promote, through the expansion of reciprocal trade, the harmonious development of the economic relations between Canada and the Republic of Panama in order to foster, in both countries, the advancement of economic activity;
provide fair conditions of competition affecting trade between Canada and the Republic of Panama;
substantially increase investment opportunities in Canada and the Republic of Panama;
contribute, by the removal of barriers to trade, to the harmonious development and expansion of world and regional trade;
enhance and enforce environmental laws and regulations and strengthen cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Panama on environmental matters;
protect, enhance and enforce basic workers’ rights, strengthen cooperation and build on the respective international commitments of Canada and the Republic of Panama on labour matters; and
promote sustainable development.
Causes of Action
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 Part 1 or an order made under that Part.
Subject to Section C of Chapter 9 of the Agreement and Part Three and Annex 3 of the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Panama, done at Ottawa on May 13, 2010, 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 or a related agreement.
Implementation of the Agreement and the Related Agreements
Approval
The Agreement and the related agreements are approved.
Administrative and Institutional Provisions
The Minister is the principal representative of Canada on the Joint Commission.
The Government of Canada is to pay its appropriate share of the aggregate of any expenditures incurred by or on behalf of the Joint Commission.
Panels, Committees, Subcommittees, Working Groups and Expert Groups
The Minister may
appoint representatives of Canada to any committee, subcommittee or working group referred to in paragraph 6 of Article 21.01 of the Agreement;
appoint a panellist in accordance with Article 22.08 of the Agreement; and
propose candidates to serve as the chair of a panel, or select the chair, in accordance with that Article 22.08.
The Minister of the Environment may
appoint representatives of Canada to the committee referred to in Article 17 of the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Republic of Panama, done at Ottawa on May 13, 2010;
appoint a panellist in accordance with paragraph 11 of Annex I to that Agreement; and
propose candidates to serve as the chair of a panel, or select the chair, in accordance with that paragraph.
The Minister of Labour may
appoint representatives of Canada to any committee, working group or expert group referred to in Article 7 of the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Republic of Panama, done at Ottawa on May 13, 2010;
appoint a panellist in accordance with paragraph 4 of Annex 2 to that Agreement; and
propose candidates to serve as the chairperson of a panel, or select the chairperson, in accordance with that paragraph.
The Minister is to designate an agency, division or branch of the Government of Canada to facilitate the operation of Chapter 22 of the Agreement and to provide administrative assistance to panels established under that Chapter.
The Government of Canada is to pay the costs of or its appropriate share of the costs of
the remuneration and expenses payable to members of panels, committees, subcommittees, working groups and expert groups, to independent experts and to the assistants of panel members; and
the general expenses incurred by panels, committees, subcommittees, working groups and expert groups.
Orders
The Governor in Council may, for the purpose of suspending benefits in accordance with Article 22.13 of the Agreement, by order, do any one or more of the following:
suspend rights or privileges granted by Canada to the Republic of Panama or to goods of the Republic of Panama under the Agreement or any federal law;
modify or suspend the application of any federal law, with respect to the Republic of Panama or to goods of the Republic of Panama;
extend the application of any federal law to the Republic of Panama or to goods of the Republic of Panama; and
take any other measure that the Governor in Council considers necessary.
Unless repealed, an order made under subsection (1) has effect for the period specified in the order.
Related Amendments
Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act
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[Repealed]
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Commercial Arbitration Act
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[Amendment]
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[Amendment]
Crown Liability and Proceedings Act
[Repealed]
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Customs Act
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[Repealed]
[Repealed]
[Repealed]
[Repealed]
[Repealed]
[Repealed]
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Customs Tariff
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[Amendments]
Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Act
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Export and Import Permits Act
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Financial Administration Act
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Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act
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Coordinating Amendments and Coming into Force
Coordinating Amendments
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[Amendments]
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Coming into Force
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