March 24, 2016 CLIENT INTERNATIONAL TRADE CANADA ASKS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP by Brenda C. Swick On February 3, 2016, Canada and the United States, along with ten other Pacific Rim countries signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, referred to as “the largest, most ambitious free trade initiative in history.” The signing kicks off a two-year ratification period, during which the United States, Japan and at least four of the remaining ten countries must approve the final legal text in order for the deal to take effect. In Canada, the TPP must be tabled in Parliament for consideration and debate before it is ratified and implemented into Canadian law. This process has started with the announcement last week of the initiation of a full Parliamentary Committee study into the TPP. As part of its study, the Committee is inviting Canadian organizations to express their views on the TPP agreement via written submissions. Those who wish to provide a written submission must do so before 23:59 EDT on April 30th, 2016. Canadians may also request to testify before the Committee in Ottawa, either as an individual or as a representative of an organization. In addition to Ottawa hearings, the Committee expects to hold hearings across Canada over the coming months.

Information will be provided about dates and locations of these hearings at a later date. The text of the TPP and Canada’s side agreements can be found at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development’s website. Dickinson Wright’s International Trade Group is carefully reviewing the text to provide you with our analysis and insights on the TPP and what it means for those companies seeking access to Canadian markets and investment opportunities and for Canadian companies doing business abroad. This client alert is published by Dickinson Wright PLLC/Dickinson Wright LLP to inform our clients and friends of important developments in the field of cross border law. The content is informational only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. We encourage you to consult a Dickinson Wright attorney if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered in here. ALERT page 1 of 1 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda C.

Swick is a Member in Dickinson Wright’s Toronto office. She can be reached at 416.594.4052 or bswick@dickinsonwright.com. Daniel D. Ujczo is Of Counsel in Dickinson Wright’s Columbus office.

He can be reached at 614.744.2579 or dujczo@dickinsonwright.com. Bruce C. Thelen is a Member in Dickinson Wright’s Detroit office. He can be reached at 313.223.3624 or bthelen@ dickinsonwright.com. .