In July 2026, the Government of Canada invited Canadians to share their views, perspectives and priorities regarding the strengthening of trade and investment with Türkiye, as well as the potential impacts and opportunities arising from a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). The Coalition for the diversity of cultural expressions (CDCE) thanks Global Affairs Canada for conducting this consultation, which provides an opportunity to contribute to discussions ahead of negotiations on a potential FTA.

In the context of a potential FTA with Türkiye, the CDCE recommends that the Government of Canada:

1. Maintain a broad cultural exemption in the FTA with Türkiye without a retaliation clause.
2. Preserve a sufficiently broad and technologically neutral definition of cultural industries.
3. Protect Canada’s ability to adapt its cultural policies to digital and technological transformations.

The CDCE’s response to this consultation is particularly important in the current context, as Canadian and Quebec legislation concerning online streaming and the discoverability of French-language cultural content has been identified as a trade irritant by Canada’s principal trading partner.

In recent trade discussions with the United States, Canada unequivocally reaffirmed its intention to firmly protect the diversity of its cultural expressions in its trade agreements. This position must continue to be reflected with the same clarity in new trade agreements.

Furthermore, the increasing digitalization of the cultural economy calls for heightened vigilance: provisions specific to digital trade or artificial intelligence that are emerging in trade agreements must not have the effect of limiting Canada’s ability to act to protect and promote its cultural industries.

Already united by the 2005 Convention, Canada and Türkiye share a common vision: cultural goods and services cannot be reduced solely to their commercial value, as they are also vehicles of identities, values and meaning.

From this perspective, cooperation between Canada and Türkiye represents a strategic means of promoting digital governance that respects cultural rights and values cultural diversity. Canada and Türkiye have a shared interest in maintaining the ability of their respective governments to support their cultural ecosystems and adapt them to technological transformations. The CDCE recommends that the recommendations set out in this submission be incorporated into the development of any potential FTA with Türkiye.