North American Leaders' Summit (NALS)

Since April 2008, a Trilateral Committee on Transborder Data Flow has been formed with representatives from Canada, the United States and Mexico to pursue the objective of enhancing the on-line prosperity among the three countries.

The Committee is now operating under the leadership of the North American Leaders' Summit (formerly the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP)). Its mandate is defined under the Statement on the Free Flow of Information and Trade in North America and of the previously established Framework of Common Principles for Electronic Commerce.

The aforementioned documents serve as catalyst for the growth of electronic commerce and to promote an effective online business environment in North America. The goal is to provide the necessary balance between the growth of trade, the security of information and the privacy of data involved in electronic transactions.

Since then, the Trilateral Committee on Transborder Data Flows has been conducting consultations with the business community and other interested stakeholders to identify and address issues pertaining to transborder data flows that create uncertainties in the marketplace and affect economic growth.

Industry Canada's Electronic Commerce Branch is leading the Trilateral Committee on behalf of Canada which is also making available a series of resources and documents to help Canadian companies better understand the different rules and regulations surrounding the free flow of information in North America.

As the Trilateral Committee on Transborder Data Flows is currently under Industry Canada's oversight, we invite you to communicate with the Industry Canada representatives listed below, should you questions or wish to express your views on this matter.