Should Canada Pursue a Digital Trade Agreement with the EU?

Official title: Consulting Canadians on a possible Canada-European Union Digital Trade Agreement

Closed Policy & Studies Economy & Jobs Technology & Digital
Canada explored whether to negotiate a digital trade agreement with the European Union. The government wanted to know what rules should govern online business between the two economies. Topics ranged from data privacy and AI requirements to spam rules and cybersecurity standards.

Why This Matters

Shop online from European stores? Run a business that sells to EU customers? This agreement could affect how your data is handled, what privacy protections you get, and whether Canadian businesses face fewer barriers selling digital services abroad. It could also shape rules around AI and online consumer protection that eventually affect everyone.

What Could Change

A new digital trade agreement could set binding rules on cross-border data flows between Canada and the EU. Canadian businesses might face fewer requirements to store data locally in Europe. New standards could emerge for electronic signatures, digital identities, and AI development that Canadian companies would need to follow.

Key Issues

  • What rules should govern cross-border data movement between Canada and the EU?
  • Should local data storage requirements be reduced or eliminated?
  • What standards should apply to AI development and use in digital trade?
  • How should online consumer protection and privacy be handled?
  • What digital trade barriers do Canadian businesses face in the EU?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation has closed. Written submissions were accepted by email to Consultations-TMI@international.gc.ca until August 25, 2025.

What Happened

The consultation has closed. The page indicates a 'What we heard' section exists but no summary of feedback received is currently available on the page.

Key Documents