1st Session, 37th Parliament,
49-50-51 Elizabeth II, 2001-2002

House of Commons of Canada

BILL C-439

An Act to amend the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

Preamble

Whereas the Government of Canada and the Government of the State of Israel entered into a Free Trade Agreement that came into force on January 1, 1997;

Whereas the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement provides that neither Party may increase any existing customs duty, or adopt any customs duty, or any charge of equivalent effect on an originating good;

Whereas in Europe goods originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights may become subject to the full rate of customs duties rather than duties at the preferential tariff treatment accorded by the European Union-Israel Association Agreements;

And Whereas it is desirable that Canada adopt measures similar to those taken by the European Union;

1996, c. 33

Now, Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1. Subsection 2(1) of the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

``settlements''
« colonies de peuplement »

``settlements'' means the settlements placed under Israeli administration since 1967 in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.

2. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 4:

CONSULTATION

Consultation

4.1 The Minister shall undertake consultations with the Government of the State of Israel for the purpose of having the Agreement amended to exclude goods originating from the settlements from the list of goods entitled to the lower rates of customs duty.