Canada–Indonesia CEPA Entry Date Fixed

Summary#

This Order (SI/2026-30) says the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Canada and Indonesia will enter into force on the same day that the Canada–Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Act comes into force. The implementing Act received royal assent on May 6, 2026, and the Order ties the treaty’s start to the Act’s coming-into-force date.

What it does#

• Fixes the CEPA’s start date as the day the Canada–Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation Act comes into force.
• By doing that, allows Canada to bring the treaty into effect under international law after both countries finish their internal steps.
• Once the Act is in force, it will:
  • approve the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement for Canada;
  • allow Canada to pay its share of costs to run the agreement’s institutions;
  • require the federal trade minister to promote certain principles for Canadian companies under the agreement;
  • require a comprehensive review of how the Act and the CEPA are working every three years;
  • make changes to existing laws so they line up with Canada’s CEPA commitments, including the Customs Tariff, Customs Act, Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act, Commercial Arbitration Act, Financial Administration Act, and Investment Canada Act.

Who's affected#

• Canadian businesses that export to or import from Indonesia, especially those looking for new markets in the Indo-Pacific.
• Sectors that trade goods and services, investors, and companies active in supply chains between the two countries.
• Global Affairs Canada and other federal departments that will manage and implement the agreement.
• Provinces and territories, which are involved in implementing parts of trade agreements and were consulted during negotiations.
• Indigenous groups and other stakeholders who took part in consultations; some raised concerns during the process.
• The general public may notice effects through changes in trade, prices, or jobs in affected industries.

Why it matters#

• The Order moves Canada closer to putting the CEPA into effect, which aims to give Canadian exporters better access to Indonesia’s market.
• Financially, eliminating tariffs on Indonesian-origin goods is estimated to reduce federal tariff revenue by about $125 million per year.
• Economic modelling cited with the Order projects higher trade and growth for Canada: about $173 million more in annual exports to Indonesia and roughly $226 million higher annual GDP.
• The CEPA is presented as supporting Canada’s trade diversification and Indo‑Pacific strategy while keeping protections for sensitive areas (for example, no concessions on supply‑managed agriculture).
• Some stakeholders and parliamentarians raised concerns about human rights, labour, environmental protections, and domestic competitiveness; the agreement includes provisions on state‑owned enterprises, anti‑corruption, environment, and labour to address such concerns.
• The treaty itself only enters into force internationally after diplomatic notifications and then on the first day of the second month following the later notification, so there are next-step timing details to follow.