On October 23, 2013, Lee Berthiaume reported in the Ottawa citizens that the Canadian “Government to remove export controls on hundreds of goods“. According to Mr. Berthiaume, the government of Canada is reviewing the Export Control List with the goal to removing hundreds Canadian-made military items.  The objective of this exercise is to assist Canadian manufacturers of such military goods and remove red tape to the export of some of these types of goods.

This process is not complete and there is not defined timeline in the public domain.  However, this is a governmental review worth watching closely.  It is another example of the current government taking steps to improve export opportunities for Canadian exporters.  It is another example of the current government taking steps to reduce red tape to build Canadian jobs.  It is also an example of the current government listening to a manufacturing sector.

It is important to note that the United States has been undertaking a similar exercise over the past few years. As a result, the Canadian government is being smart.  There is no reason for Canada’s manufacturers of defence related goods to face greater restrictions than their U.S. counterparts. There is no reason for there to be a significant divergence between Canada’s and the U.S.’s list of export controlled goods. As a result, this is an exercise that has as a component the harmonization of North American export controls rules.

For this reason, U.S. manufacturers (especially those with Canadian subsidiaries or distribution arms/arrangements) should take notice of the Canadian exercise and possible make submissions to the government of Canada.  Some of the decisions made by the government of Canada may affect inbound goods in addition to exported goods.