ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
NAFTA Secretariat

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SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

1.1  Message of the Minister

As a trading nation, Canada's continued prosperity depends on the secure, predictable and enhanced market access provided by trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The NAFTA has contributed importantly to the robust and steady growth our economy is displaying. Since 1993, Canada's trade in merchandise with its NAFTA partners has more than doubled to reach $599 billion in 2005, a 122% increase. Canada’s trade in services with its NAFTA partners has also increased, from $46.4 billion in 1994 to $82.7 billion in 2004. Finally, total Foreign Direct Investment in Canada reached $415.6 billion in 2005, of which more than 64% came from its NAFTA partners.

However, it is important not to take all this success for granted.  With the emergence of fierce global competition by countries like China, India and Brazil, we are forced to move beyond the status quo. We are committed to working with the U.S. and Mexico to find ways to further increase trade and investment in North America, to foster competitiveness and prosperity in all three economies so that North America is well positioned to compete in the new trading environment.

The Canadian Section of the NAFTA Secretariat, through its services of increasing quality in the management of international trade dispute settlement processes, also has a role to play in strengthening Canada's international trade performance. Exporters and investors are far more likely to engage in international commerce when they have access to an impartial dispute settlement mechanism and services, should disagreements arise.

In 2007-2008, the NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section, will continue to focus on increased research support to panels and committees, on the improvement of its case management system and on continuous learning. As well, it will continue its efforts to fully implement all provisions of the Public Service Modernization Act. These steps will allow it to continue to offer high-quality services in managing NAFTA's rules-based dispute resolution system, which provides critical stability and transparency for Canadian businesses and investors as they continue to seek new opportunities and secure market access abroad.

___________________________________

The HonourableDavid Emerson
Minister of International Trade

1.2  Management Representation Statement

I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2007-2008 Report on Plans and Priorities for the NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section.

This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2007-2008 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:

• It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat guidance;
• It is based on the department's Strategic Outcome and Program Activity Architecture that were approved by the Treasury Board;
• It presents consistent, comprehensive, balanced and reliable information; 
• It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to it; and
• It reports finances based on approved planned spending numbers from the Treasury Board Secretariat.

___________________________________

Françoy Raynauld, Ph.D.
Secretary
NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section

______________

Date

1.3  Departmental Overview

1.3.1 Reason for Existence

The NAFTA Secretariat’s corporate purpose is to maintain a high level, impartial and independent service in the administration of the dispute settlement provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement, in order to help preserve the benefits of free trade for all stakeholders.

The NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section, is an independent federal agency created in 1994 by an Act of Parliament (the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act) (see ANNEX A for the mandate of the NAFTA Secretariat).

The Canadian Section reports to Parliament, for financial accountability purposes, through the Minister of International Trade (see Section 3.7 – Responsibility Chart).

The NAFTA Secretariat is a unique organization established by the Free Trade Commission, pursuant to Article 2002 of the NAFTA.  It comprises the Canadian, the United States and the Mexican national sections.

The national sections, which are "mirror‑images" of each other, are located in Ottawa, Washington and Mexico City, and each is headed by a Secretary appointed by her/his respective government.

Additional information on the background and operations of the NAFTA Secretariat may be found at the Secretariat’s Internet site: www.nafta-sec-alena.org and www.nafta-sec-alena.org/canada/index-eng.aspx

1.3.2 Financial and Human Resources

The following boxes provide information regarding planned spending on financial and human resources for the coming three-year period (see Section 2 for details):

Financial Resources

2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
$3,001,000	$3,001,000	$3,001,000

Human Resources

2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
13 FTEs	13 FTEs	13 FTEs

1.4  Departmental Plans and Priorities

The Secretariat uses an established strategic framework, based on a logic model that included intermediate and immediate outcomes for developing its plans and priorities.  The strategic framework is consistent with the Canadian Section Program Activity Architecture that complies with the Treasury Board’s common reporting requirements.

Table 1 summarizes the departmental priorities and planned spending for 2007-2008.  This is further described in detail in Section 2.

Table 1:  Departmental Priorities

Priorities	Type	Planned Spending
		2007-2008 ($thousands)
1 Improved Support to Panels and Committees	Ongoing	650
2. Unbiased and Equitable Administrative Process	Ongoing	500
3. Openness and accountability	Ongoing	320
4. Increased national and international collaboration	Ongoing	381
5. Operational efficiency and effectiveness	Ongoing	550
6. Highest Quality of Service	Ongoing	600

Table 2 summarizes the departmental priorities by strategic outcome for 2007-2008 and the planned spending associated with it. 

Table 2:  Departmental Priorities by Strategic Outcome

		Planned Spending($ thousands)
	Expected Results	2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010	Contributes to the following Priority
Strategic Outcome: A highly efficient, impartial and rules-based international trade dispute resolution process that benefits Canadian exporters to NAFTA countries, as well as NAFTA country exporters doing business in Canada.
Program Activity: Administration of International Dispute Settlement  Mechanisms	improved support to panels unbiased and equitable administrative processes increased national and international collaborations improved management practices. knowledgeable and adaptive workforce	3,001	3,001	3,001	Priorities 1 – 6

1.5  Link to the Government of Canada Outcome Areas

The program activity of the NAFTA Secretariat, Canadian Section, contributes to the achievement of the Government of Canada’s “A Strong and Mutually Beneficial North American Partnership” outcome area (see Section 3.8 for Whole of Government Framework).

The following table shows NAFTA Secretariat’s alignment of program activity and strategic outcome to Government of Canada’s outcome area.

Table 3:  NAFTA Secretariat’s alignment of program activity and strategic outcome to Government of Canada area

NAFTA Secretariat’s Strategic Outcome	NAFTA Secretariat’s Program Activity	Link to Government of Canada Outcome Area
A highly efficient, impartial and rules-based international trade dispute resolution process that benefits Canadian exporters to NAFTA countries, as well as NAFTA country exporters doing business in Canada.	Administration of International Dispute Settlement  Mechanisms.	A Strong and Mutually Beneficial North American Partnership.

 

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