Broader protections for Canadian traditional products could support economic growth, promote trade diversification and protect Indigenous intellectual property
The Government of Canada is building a stronger, more productive and more resilient economy that supports long-term prosperity for all Canadians. The government is taking action to unlock new economic opportunities, bring Canadian-made products to the world and ensure that Indigenous Peoples get their share of the benefits these opportunities provide.
As part of this effort, the government is launching a public engagement to gather feedback on how to strengthen and modernize Canada's geographical indications regime under the Trademarks Act. This engagement invites Canadians to share their views, with particular emphasis on hearing from Indigenous Peoples. The input received will help inform future policy directions.
Canada's intellectual property system plays a key role in helping businesses create value and differentiate their products. Geographical indications are a form of intellectual property that identify products as originating from a specific place, where their quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributed to that location. Geographical indications can build consumer trust and increase awareness by signalling authentic quality tied to a product's place of origin, while promoting market differentiation, export opportunities and "made in Canada" authenticity.
In Canada, geographical indications currently apply to wines, spirits and certain categories of agricultural products and foods. This engagement will explore including additional categories-such as traditional crafts and industrial products-and will include Indigenous engagement. This is to support Canada's implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
In particular, the government is seeking input on how potential changes could better promote the protection and promotion of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions-including the respectful use of Indigenous place names within the geographical indications regime-and support opportunities to reach new markets and customers.
