The EU-Canada Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) informs the negotiations of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Community (EC) and Canada. The SIA builds on a joint 2008 EU-Canada study to examine and assess costs and benefits of a closer EU-Canada economic partnership. Following the 2008 study and a related Scoping Exercise, CETA negotiations were authorised and then officially launched at the EU-Canada Summit in Prague on 6 May 2009.

EC Trade SIAs assess the potential impacts of proposed trade and economic liberalisation agreements on all pillars of sustainable development in order to optimise policy decision-making. The EU-Canada SIA begins with a baseline assessment of the social, economic and environmental context within the EU, Canada and relevant third countries. It then employs quantitative analyses, performed by a Computer Generated Equilibrium (CGE) model as well as additional econometric and statistical analysis on predicted environmental impacts, and impacts on fixed capital formation and labour mobility. Drawing on these components, and using a series of indicators (for example, real income and levels of employment, biodiversity, natural resource stocks, poverty, equity, educational quality, quality in work and decent work, etc.), an assessment is made on the potential economic, social and environmental impacts of the CETA in Canada, Europe and relevant third countries. Consultation with stakeholders in Europe, Canada and relevant third countries is an important component of this SIA process. The study will conclude with a series of final policy recommendations for mitigating flagged negative effects and further enhancing positive effects.