The Future of Free Trade
Free Trade 2.0: A Symposium on the 25th Anniversary
The Munk School for Global Affairs is proud to host a half-day symposium on the next rounds of trade agreements, Free Trade 2.0, on the afternoon of October 3, precisely a quarter-century after the signing of the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
“The FTA was a milestone achievement in Canadian public policy,” says Janice Stein, Director of the Munk School at the University of Toronto. “We think this 25th anniversary is an opportune moment to reflect on how free trade has changed Canada, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Canada in a new era with new partners. It will be a very forward-looking program. We’re very excited about it.”
The symposium will be streamed live on the Munk School’s Website, and questions to participants will be on Twitter #FTA25. The event will be hosted by author and television commentator Ms. Tasha Kheiriddin.
The symposium will be held at the Munk School’s Vivian and David Campbell Conference Facility, 1 Devonshire Place, Toronto. University of Toronto President David Naylor will open the event by welcoming trade policy experts, academics, and students to the event. Douglas Porter, Deputy Chief Economist of BMO Capital Markets, will present a 25-year economic impact study. Two open plenary sessions will follow, moderated by Derek Burney and Kevin Lynch, and including some of Canada’s pre-eminent experts in the field.
Mr. Burney was Canadian ambassador to the United States from 1989-93 at the time the FTA was implemented and the North American Free American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was negotiated in 1992. As chief of staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in 1987, he was one of the leaders of Canada’s negotiating team at the crucial eleventh hour in Washington. Mr. Lynch, former Clerk of the Privy Council and Head of the Public Service, is now Deputy Chair of BMO Financial Group, and is one of the country’s eminent authorities on economics and trade policy. For the full list of participants, see the program agenda below.
The symposium will be closed by the Hon. Jim Flaherty, Canada’s Minister of Finance.
The symposium will precede a Tribute Dinner in honour of former Prime Minister Mulroney at the Royal Ontario Museum, with net proceeds to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Contact: Sean Willett, Chief of Communications, Munk School for Global Affairs.
Tel: 416-946-8904 | Email: sean.willett@utoronto.ca
