Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was designed to create a way for Asia-Pacific countries to have opportunities for trades and expansion. This free trade agreement also allows Canadian businesses to get ahead of global competition.
The CPTPP is currently in force with Canada and 6 other countries: Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam. Only once the agreement is fully implemented will Brunei, Chile, Malaysia and Peru join, making a total of 11 countries part of the agreement.
Let’s have a look at how the agreement can help Canadian businesses.
Why is the CPTPP Important?
The CPTPP is a high-standard free trade agreement that essentially covers all forms of trade and investment. Because of this, jobs are being created, the economy is growing stronger and it boosts Canada’s trading with important trading partners.
This agreement allows for aggressive market-access commitment in trade in goods, services investment, government procurement and labour mobility. A transparent, consistent and fair environment is created to do business in markets, due to the clear rules established by the agreement.
There are also feature chapters that are for the protection of the environment as well as labour rights. These are enforceable when resolving a dispute between parties. This also ensures that CPTPP members don’t detract from their commitments in the above areas to increase their own investment or trade.
The CPTPP is a high-standard free trade agreement that essentially covers all forms of trade and investment. Because of this, jobs are being created, the economy is growing stronger and it boosts Canada’s trading with important trading partners.
This agreement allows for aggressive market-access commitment in trade in goods, services investment, government procurement and labour mobility. A transparent, consistent and fair environment is created to do business in markets, due to the clear rules established by the agreement.
There are also feature chapters that are for the protection of the environment as well as labour rights. These are enforceable when resolving a dispute between parties. This also ensures that CPTPP members don’t detract from their commitments in the above areas to increase their own investment or trade.
What Areas of Trade Does the CPTPP Cover?
The following are covered by the free trade agreement:
- Trade in goods – tariffs are eliminated and reduces barriers for 98 percent of exports to CPTPP members countries.
- Rules of origin and origin procedures – Canadian exporters and producers have clear and favourable rules that determine which goods are considered originating, through CPTPP businesses can approach the customs administration in the market they are targeting and receive an advance ruling on the origin of their product.
- Customs and trade facilitation – the participating countries are keeping custom procedures simple and effective which reduces the processing time at the border. The goods are then easier to move between countries.
- Regulatory cooperation and conformity assessment – this minimizes unnecessary regulatory requirements and includes ways to make it easier for Canadians to do business in the Asia-Pacific.
- Government procurement – Canadian companies will receive the same treatment as domestic suppliers when bidding on government procurement opportunities in CPTPP member countries.
- Trade in services and labour mobility – many barriers such as quotas and labour market tests are eliminated, making it easier for Canadian businessmen to travel for business or to work temporarily in CPTPP participating countries.
- Investment – the agreement gives investors stability and protection for their investments and it ensures access to Asia-Pacific and Canadian markets.
- Intellectual property (IP) – creates a general standard for IP protection which provides Canadian creators and innovators with a transparent and predictable framework for operating in CPTPP participating countries.
- Labour and the environment – sets a general standard on labour and environment, and not to undermine them for commercial gain.
- Inclusive trade – Canada has an inclusive approach to trade with provisions to ensure the benefits of trade are more widely shared, including with under-represented groups such as women, SMEs and Indigenous peoples.
What Does the CPTPP Mean for Canadian Businesses?
Here’s how CPTPP helps businesses across Canada:
- Competitiveness – exporting becomes less expensive because of reduced tariffs and this gives Canadian businesses the ability to compete on price.
- Access to new clients – participating countries will have new preferential access to fundamental markets in Asia which include Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia.
- Market transparency and stability – the CPTPP gives Canadian services suppliers protection, predictability and transparency when conducting business in participating markets. Businesses are able to bid on government contracts and will be treated fairly as domestic bidders, as well as have access to all necessary information.
- Reduced barriers to trade – through this agreement, you’re able to send your personnel to work in partner countries or even bring key talent to Canada much easier.
CPTPP Benefits for Provinces and Territories
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ensures that the provinces or territories have a competitive advantage over exports from other countries that aren’t part of the free trade agreement with the Asia-Pacific region.
Once the CPTPP is fully implemented, the tariffs will eliminate almost all Canadian exports to CPTPP markets and create better export conditions, including:
- reduced barriers to trade;
- increased access to government procurement; and
- consistent, transparent and predictable trade environment.
Below is a table of how the CPTPP will create opportunities in all sectors across each province or territory:
| CPTPP Province Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Province/Territory | Sectors |
| Alberta | agriculture,agri-food, metals,minerals,chemicals and plastics |
| British Columbia | metals, minerals, forestry, agriculture and agri-food sectors |
| Manitoba | agriculture, agri-food, industrial machinery and aerospace |
| New Brunswick | fish, seafood, metals, minerals, agriculture and agri-food |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | metals, minerals, fish, seafood and industrial machinery |
| Novia Scotia | fish, seafood, forestry, agriculture and agri-foods |
| Nunavut | fish, seafood, metals and minerals |
| Ontario | vehicles automotive parts, industrial machinery, agriculture and agri-food |
| Prince Edward Island | fish, seafood, agriculture agri-food and aerospace |
| Quebec | metals, minerals, agriculture, agri-food, and aerospace |
| Saskatchewan | agriculture, agri-food and fertilizer |
| Yukon | metals, minerals, tools and instruments |
Move Your Business to Canada
You can reap the benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership by bringing your business to Canada or investing in an existing Canadian business. This can be done through the Start-Up Visa Program.
This program allows you to immigrate to Canada by starting a business anywhere in the country. The general eligibility criteria are that your business needs to be innovative, create jobs for Canadians and be able to compete internationally.
Immigration FAQ’s
Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is based on the following factors:
- Provincial Nomination;
- Offer of employment;
- Core capital factors;
- Your common-law partner or spouse;
- Skill transferability;
- Previous Canadian study experience;
- Siblings in Canada; and
- French and English Ability
Provincial Nomination (600 Points)
600 points are awarded for an enhanced Nominee certificate from a province in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Job Offers (50-600 Points)
A Canadian job offer will also earn you points; the number of points is based on the NOC level of the particular job.
Core Human Capital Factors (600 Points)
These take into account your level of education, for example:
- Certificate;
- Diploma; or
- Degree
If you intend to gain higher qualifications, your score will increase. This same point system applies to your legal partner or spouse if you applied together.
Language (150 Points)
Improving your language skills in either English or French through a recognized Canadian institution can also raise your CRS score.
Work Experience
The more experience you have, the more points you earn. This also applies to your legal partner or spouse.
You must:
- Meet all the requirements of the:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC);
- Federal Skilled Trades Class; or
- Canadian Experience Class
You must register with the Canadian Job Bank within 30 days unless:
- You have arranged employment from a Canadian employer; or
- You have received a nomination through the Provincial Nominee Program
You must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to earn Comprehensive Ranking System points, unless you:
- Have worked full time for an employer with a work permit for a least one year (or a part-time job for an equal amount of time);
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer that is for at least one year in duration; or
- Have a valid employer specific temporary work permit exempt under code R204 (a), (c) or R205
If you qualify for any of the Federal Programs, you have 30 days from when you submit your profile to complete the rest of the requirements like registering with the Job Bank. If you do not, your Express Entry profile cannot be activated.
There are three programs to apply for under Express Entry:
- Skilled Federal Worker Program (SFWP);
- Skilled Federal Trades Program (SFTP); or
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The following factors affect your eligibility:
Work Experience
You must:
- Have gained relevant work experience for a job listed in the National Occupation Classification (NOC). Note: Work experience gained in another occupation you have not applied for does not apply;
- Have gained work experience in the past 10 years;
- Have received payment for your work;
- Have a job at skill level 0, A or B;
- Have a year’s worth of work experience (minimum 1,560 hours); and
- Prove that your work experience fits the requirements of the NOC
Language Ability
You must:
- Meet the minimum language level set by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB);
- Take a language proficiency test That is approved by IRCC;
- You must meet the language requirements for either French or English; and
- Your language test results must not be more than two years old when you apply
Education
You must:
- Have completed canadian secondary education; and a tertiary certificate, diploma or degree;
- Have completed foreign credentials; or
- Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC
Proof of Funds
You must prove you can support yourself and your family financially, unless:
- You are working in Canada; or
- You have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
Additional Factors to Be Considered
- Age;
- Valid job offers; and
- Adaptability
This program is aimed at people who wish to become permanent residents (PR) of Canada. This only applies to people who qualify in a skilled trade.
Minimum Requirements
You must:
- Plan to live outside of Quebec (The province has its own Quebec Skilled Worker Program);
- Meet the language requirements for English and French;
- Have two years’ work experience in a skilled trade (or equal amount of experience in a part time position;
- Have work experience within the past 5 years;
- Meet the job requirements in the National Occupational Classifications;
- Have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for a minimum of one year; or
- A certificate of qualification for that skilled trade that is confirmed from the Canadian provincial or territorial government authority
Skilled Work Experience
These skilled trades are involved in the Federal Skilled Trades Program as ranked by the National Occupational Classification.
| Group Number | Job Description |
|---|---|
| 72 | Industrial, construction or electrical trades |
| 73 | Equipment operation and maintenance |
| 82 | Technical and supervisors in:
|
| 92 | Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor Central control operators |
| 632 | Cooks and chefs |
| 633 | Bakers and butchers |
Education
You do not need a specific qualification for this program, but you can earn more CRS points if you have:
- Foreign qualifications;
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC;or
- A Canadian certificate, diploma or degree
Language Ability
- Pass the Canadian Language Benchmark test at minimum language level;
- The language test must be approved by IRCC; and
- Your test results must not be older than two years when you apply.
Be assessed by the province or territory
Each of the provinces or territories have different requirements for the skilled trade industry.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Requirements
You must:
- Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
- Have the required language skills needed for your job;
- Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
- Have the language proficiency needed for your job; and
- Have plans to live outside of Quebec
Skilled Work Experience
Work experience must be gained in the following job levels based on the National Occupational Classifications.
| Job Description | Skill Type |
|---|---|
| Technical jobs | B |
| Skilled trades | B |
| Professional jobs | A |
| Managerial jobs | 0 |
Education
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if you:
- Have a high school diploma, tertiary diploma or degree;
- Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC; or
- Have completed foreign credentials
Language Ability
To qualify you must score well in the various language tests determined by the CEC.
| Canadian Language Benchmark Score Needed | Job Level (NOC) |
|---|---|
| 7 | 0 |
| 7 | A |
| 5 | B |
The language test must be approved by IRCC and must not be older than two years when you apply.
- Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
- Have the required language skills needed for your job;
- Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
- Have language levels need for your job; and
- Have plans to live outside of Quebec
Note:work experience gained as a student or a self-employed individual does not count.
Skilled Work Experience
Work experience must be within three years of applying for the Canadian Experience Class. Work experience must be gained in the following job levels as based on National Occupational Classifications.
| Job description | Skill Type |
|---|---|
| Technical jobs | B |
| Skilled trades | B |
| Professional jobs | A |
| Managerial jobs | 0 |
Education
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if:
- have a high school diploma and/or tertiary diploma or degree;
- have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; or have
- completed foreign credentials
Note: Only apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your foreign education is either equal to, or higher than the Canadian education standard.
Language Ability
To qualify you must score well in:
- the Canadian Language Benchmark; and
- the language tests
| Canadian Language Benchmark score needed | Job level (NOC) |
|---|---|
| 7 | 0 |
| 7 | A |
| 5 | B |
The Language Test must be approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada .These tests are based off your French and English ability to:
- Read;
- Speak;
- Listen; and
- Write
Your test results must be included if you are applying for this program through the Express Entry program. Note: these tests must not be older than two years when you apply.
Principal Applicant
When you apply for the Express Entry, and want to immigrate with your common law partner, you must choose who will be the principal applicant.
Note: a common law partner is a person who has been married to you for one year. This applies for same sex and opposite sex partners.
Choose the principal applicant by looking at who will score the highest points under the Express Entry program.
Inadmissibility
You may be inadmissible if you are:
- Considered a security risk;
- Lied about information in your application or interview;
- Have ties to organised crime;
- Can’t support yourself financially;
- Have terrible financial health;
- Committed a crime outside of Canada;
- Do not qualify under Canada’s immigration laws; and
- Have a family member that is not allowed in the country
Choosing Where To Live
Note:under the Express Entry you can apply to live in other provinces/territories in Canada, except Quebec. This province has its own set of requirements needed for you to enter.
These are the factors that are used to calculate CRS Points
- Age (max 110 points);
- Education (max 150 points);
- Language proficiency (max 160 points);
- Canadian Work Experience (max 80 points);
- Skills Transferability (max 100 points); and
- Additional Factors (max 600 points)
A legal agent is an authorized representative that must be:
- A paralegal or lawyer who has a good relationship with the provincial or territorial legal societies of Canada;
- A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who has a good relationship with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council; or
- A notary who has a good relationship with the Chambre des notaires du Québec
Note: An unauthorized agent will not be able to help you with your application.
If you want to ensure that your Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is an authorized consultant, you can check with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
The ICCRC’s website has a register of all the persons that are qualified to be Canadian Immigration Consultants. Any individual who claims to be a legal consultant will have a RCIC code. If there are no results for a person’s RCIC code, then they are not a legal Canadian Immigration Consultant.
