Canada and the World Trade Organization (WTO)

Creating opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses through active participation in the WTO is a central part of our trade strategy. Our Global Markets Action Plan includes reinforcing the multilateral trading system through various next-generation agreements, and addressing barriers to trade and investment through targeted advocacy, troubleshooting and dispute settlement. The WTO provides a framework for pursuing those objectives on a global scale. To ensure that Canada’s interests are represented effectively at the WTO, Canada maintains a Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland. Canada has been a member of the WTO since January 1, 1995.

About the WTO

The WTO is a rules-based member-driven international organization that deals with the rules of trade between its 160 Members. Learn about the basic principles of the multilateral trading system and the WTO’s committee work.

Dispute Settlement

Learn how the WTO resolves trade disputes and access information on Canada’s participation in the dispute settlement system.

WTO Agreements

At the heart of the WTO are the WTO agreements. Learn more about the Agreement Establishing the WTO and agreements setting multilateral rules governing trade in goods, services, intellectual property.

Trade Monitoring and Surveillance

Surveillance of national trade policies is a fundamentally important activity running throughout the work of the WTO. Read about the WTO’s review of trade policies, including its reviews of Canada’s policies.

Negotiations - Doha Development Agenda

Trade negotiations are an important function of the WTO. Read about Canada’s participation in negotiations to open markets on a global scale.

Ministerial Conferences

The Ministerial Conference is the highest decision-making body of the WTO. Learn about Canada’s participation in the most recent Ministerial Conferences.

Contact Point

If you have questions or comments about this initiative we would like to hear from you. Please contact the Department of Global Affairs Canada at:

Trade Policy and Negotiations Division (TPE)
Global Affairs Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 promenade Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-944-0757
E-mail: consultations@international.gc.ca