Michael Woods was honoured to be invited to participate in the third edition of the Civil Society Forum, established under the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The event was held on December 8th and 9th. The Civil Society Forum (CSF) is a joint initiative of the Government of Canada and the European Union that provides an opportunity for important dialogue and exchange of views between Canadian and EU representatives from employers, unions, labour and business organizations, environmental groups, Indigenous organizations, and other civil society organizations. Participants also have the opportunity to present views to officials of the Government of Canada and the European Commission, on CETA implementation relating to the Trade and Sustainable Development (Chapter 22 of the Agreement), Trade and Labour (Chapter 23), and Trade and Environment (Chapter 24) as well as on matters relating to Trade and Gender, SMEs and Trade, Climate Action and the Paris Agreement, Indigenous trade, and other inclusive trade related issues.
The two-day event was held virtually due to COVID-19 concerns and included a special focus on sustainable development. See this link to the agenda – 2020 Canada-EU CETA Civil Society Forum Programme (international.gc.ca). Michael also attended the second Civil Society Forum which Canada hosted in Ottawa in November 2019. See this link to the final report – https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/ceta-aecg/2019-11-12-report-soc-civ-rapport.aspx?lang=eng