From March 12 to April 27 2021, Global Affairs Canada conducted public consultations on priorities for both sets of possible negotiations – negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement with the U.K. and the U.K.'s accession to the CPTPP. Public consultations included a Canada Gazette notice inviting written submissions, as well as targeted engagement with a wide variety of domestic stakeholders through virtual meetings and roundtable discussions.

Overall, stakeholders across a broad range of sectors indicated support for bilateral free trade agreement negotiations with the U.K., as well as for the U.K. joining the CPTPP. They overwhelmingly cited an interest in building on historical ties, shared values and strong trade and investment linkages to increase economic opportunity for Canadians.  For the most part, stakeholders did not indicate a strong preference for pursuing either a bilateral free trade agreement or supporting the U.K.'s accession to the CPTPP at the exclusion of the other. Rather, stakeholders generally view both initiatives as important opportunities to ensure a strong, more competitive bilateral economic relationship with the U.K. and to contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth, supply chain resiliency and a strong economic recovery post-COVID-19.

Priorities at the top of mind for Canadians are preserving continuity and predictability in trade with the U.K., as well as consistency with the level of access provided by CETA, to ensure it remains easy to do business with both the U.K. and the EU going forward.

This is an excerpt from the Global Affairs Canada report https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/consultations/uk-ru/report-consultations-rapport.aspx?lang=eng