Global Context

Canadian law and planning processes take place within a global context of international law – the law governing the relations between the world’s nations.  Although this body of law will usually not be directly enforceable in Canada (see the Guide page on International Law), unless there is Canadian legislation implementing it, international law can provide the basis of a strong policy argument about why a decision should (or should not) be made.

International Agreements that may be of interest to watershed advocates include:

·         Multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) – Agreements between some or all of the world’s nations about the environment.

·         Bilateral environmental agreements – A “bi-lateral” agreement is one signed between two countries only.  Canada and the U.S. have signed a number of agreements related to the environment, fisheries and other resource use.  Bilateral agreements tend to be moderately more enforceable than multilateral agreements that involve a wider range of countries. 

·         International Trade Agreements – Trade agreements are ostensibly designed to encourage international trade by reducing the ability of governments to create barriers or incentives designed to favour the government’s own businesses at the expense of the businesses located in other countries.  Critics of the current negotiations of “free trade” agreements allege that these agreements interfere with the ability of governments to take steps to protect the environment (and other public goods).  However, some agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, have associated environmental agreements intended to off-set these criticisms. 

Related Guide Pages:

·         International Law.

·         Multilateral environmental agreements. 

·         Bilateral environmental agreements.

·         International Trade Agreements.

For more information about International Treaties:

·         West Coast Environmental Law’s Kyoto, POPs and Straddling Stocks: Understanding Environmental Treaties (January 2003).

·         Chapter 25 – Transboundary and International Issues – of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s Summary of Environmental Law in Canada.