Deputy PM designated for Canadian Free Trade Act

Summary#

This item (Order SI/2019-124) names which federal minister is responsible for the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. It repeals an earlier order and designates the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs as the minister for that Act. The order was registered on December 11, 2019 after being made on November 20, 2019.

What it does#

• Repeals the earlier order P.C. 2018-1419 of November 21, 2018.
• Designates the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs as the minister responsible for the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
• The change was made by Order in Council P.C. 2019-1362 on November 20, 2019 and registered as SI/2019-124 on December 11, 2019.

Who's affected#

• Federal officials who administer or advise on the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
• People and organizations that need to know which minister to contact about matters under that Act (for example, for inquiries or formal requests).
• If unclear: the order is an internal designation of responsibility. It does not itself change the Act’s rules, so it does not directly change rights or obligations for the general public.

Why it matters#

• It clarifies which minister holds formal responsibility for administering the Canadian Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
• That affects who receives official correspondence, who signs related documents, and which minister represents the Act in government discussions.
• For most Canadians and businesses, this is an administrative change with no immediate change to laws or daily obligations.