Marginal note:Interpretation consistent with agreements

3. For greater certainty, this Act, any provision of an Act enacted or amended by Part 2 and any other federal law that implements a provision of the Agreement or a bilateral agreement or fulfils an obligation of the Government of Canada under the Agreement or a bilateral agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the Agreement or bilateral agreement, as the case may be.

Marginal note:Purpose

4. The purpose of this Act is to implement the Agreement and the bilateral agreements, the objectives of which, as elaborated more specifically through their provisions, are to

• (a) establish a free trade area in accordance with the Agreement and the bilateral agreements;

• (b) promote, through the expansion of reciprocal trade, the harmonious development of the economic relations between Canada and the EFTA states in order to foster in Canada and in the EFTA states the advancement of economic activity;

• (c) provide fair conditions of competition affecting trade between Canada and the EFTA states;

• (d) establish a framework for further co-operation between Canada and the EFTA states in the light of developments in international economic relations, in particular with the aim of liberalizing trade in services and increasing investment opportunities; and

• (e) contribute, by the removal of barriers to trade, to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade.

Marginal note:Binding on Her Majesty

5. This Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada.

Marginal note:Causes of action under Part 1

• 6. (1) No person has any cause of action and no proceedings of any kind shall be taken, without the consent of the Attorney General of Canada, to enforce or determine any right or obligation that is claimed or arises solely under or by virtue of Part 1 or an order made under Part 1.

• Marginal note:Causes of action under agreements

  (2) No person has any cause of action and no proceedings of any kind shall be taken, without the consent of the Attorney General of Canada, to enforce or determine any right or obligation that is claimed or arises solely under or by virtue of the Agreement or a bilateral agreement.

Marginal note:Non-application of agreements to water

7. For greater certainty, nothing in this Act, the Agreement or the bilateral agreements applies to natural surface or ground water in liquid, gaseous or solid state.

Marginal note:Construction

8. For greater certainty, nothing in this Act, by specific mention or omission, shall be construed to affect in any manner the right of Parliament to enact legislation to implement any provision of the Agreement or a bilateral agreement or fulfil any of the obligations of the Government of Canada under the Agreement or a bilateral agreement.