Safeguard inquiries
International trade rules allow Canada to temporarily restrict imports to assist Canadian producers that have suffered or are threatened by serious injury from increased levels of imports to adapt. These temporary measures are called safeguards.
The Tribunal has the authority to inquire into:
- safeguard complaints from Canadian producers and trade unions; and
- safeguard references from the Government of Canada.
Complaints from Canadian producers can cover:
- imports from all countries (global safeguards); and
- imports from countries with which Canada has signed a free trade agreement (bilateral safeguards).
Complaints from trade unions can cover imports from all countries (global safeguards).
When directed by the Government, the Tribunal can also recommend appropriate remedies to offset the harmful effects of import surges.
The Tribunal did not conduct any safeguard inquiries during the fiscal year.