Geographical indications (GI) regime in Canada

Engagement purpose

The Government of Canada is reviewing its Geographical Indications (GI) regime to see if it should be expanded to include new types of products, such as crafts and industrial goods.

We also want to understand how these changes could affect Indigenous knowledge, cultural expressions, and the use of Indigenous place names.

We invite producers, consumers, communities, and Indigenous Peoples to share their views. Your feedback will help guide future decisions about Canada’s GI system.

1. WHO WE ARE ENGAGING

The government welcomes the perspectives of all Canadians interested in matters related GIs, and their expansion.

Canadians are invited to submit their feedback through the engagement questions. In addition, the government will be holding targeted roundtables, including with Indigenous partners and subject-matter experts.

2. INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

A dedicated Indigenous engagement process is a key part of this initiative.

Consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) and its Action Plan, particularly measure 101 (APM 101), the Government of Canada is committed to working in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to ensure appropriate measures are in place for them to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.

This engagement will:

  • explore potential impacts on Indigenous knowledge, cultural expressions and place names
  • identify approaches that reflect Indigenous rights, interests and priorities

This engagement does not assume that GIs are the precise or only tool to address the full extent of needs of Indigenous Peoples with respect to protecting their IP. Rather, it seeks input on how and if GIs could complement other approaches to maintain, control, protect and develop Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions.

3. ENGAGEMENT PAPER

The key topics are outlined in the Review of Canada’s Geographical Indications Regime Engagement Paper.

4. BACKGROUND

Geographical Indications (GIs) are a form of IP that acts as source and quality indicators, signaling to consumers that a product is from a certain geographic region, and has a reputation, quality, and/or other characteristics that are essentially attributable to the region. GIs are governed by the Trademarks Act.

Currently, Canada’s GI regime is limited to certain categories of agricultural products, foods, wines and spirits. While some GIs have been protected in Canada, uptake has been limited compared to trademarks or other forms of IP.

Many jurisdictions around the world have expanded their own GI regimes to include non-agricultural products, such as crafts and industrial products. This often helps support domestic economic development and international trade, particularly in rural areas.

5. REPORT AND NEXT STEPS

The government will publish a summary of the engagement activities. This input will inform next steps, including whether further policy or legislative measures should be explored.

6. ENGAGEMENT PROCESS

Engagement purpose

The Government of Canada is reviewing its Geographical Indications (GI) regime to see if it should be expanded to include new types of products, such as crafts and industrial goods.

We also want to understand how these changes could affect Indigenous knowledge, cultural expressions, and the use of Indigenous place names.

We invite producers, consumers, communities, and Indigenous Peoples to share their views. Your feedback will help guide future decisions about Canada’s GI system.

1. WHO WE ARE ENGAGING

The government welcomes the perspectives of all Canadians interested in matters related GIs, and their expansion.

Canadians are invited to submit their feedback through the engagement questions. In addition, the government will be holding targeted roundtables, including with Indigenous partners and subject-matter experts.

2. INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

A dedicated Indigenous engagement process is a key part of this initiative.

Consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) and its Action Plan, particularly measure 101 (APM 101), the Government of Canada is committed to working in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to ensure appropriate measures are in place for them to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.

This engagement will:

  • explore potential impacts on Indigenous knowledge, cultural expressions and place names
  • identify approaches that reflect Indigenous rights, interests and priorities

This engagement does not assume that GIs are the precise or only tool to address the full extent of needs of Indigenous Peoples with respect to protecting their IP. Rather, it seeks input on how and if GIs could complement other approaches to maintain, control, protect and develop Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions.

3. ENGAGEMENT PAPER

The key topics are outlined in the Review of Canada’s Geographical Indications Regime Engagement Paper.

4. BACKGROUND

Geographical Indications (GIs) are a form of IP that acts as source and quality indicators, signaling to consumers that a product is from a certain geographic region, and has a reputation, quality, and/or other characteristics that are essentially attributable to the region. GIs are governed by the Trademarks Act.

Currently, Canada’s GI regime is limited to certain categories of agricultural products, foods, wines and spirits. While some GIs have been protected in Canada, uptake has been limited compared to trademarks or other forms of IP.

Many jurisdictions around the world have expanded their own GI regimes to include non-agricultural products, such as crafts and industrial products. This often helps support domestic economic development and international trade, particularly in rural areas.

5. REPORT AND NEXT STEPS

The government will publish a summary of the engagement activities. This input will inform next steps, including whether further policy or legislative measures should be explored.

6. ENGAGEMENT PROCESS

  • Provide your input

    Privacy Statement

    We are seeking your views on Canada’s Geographical Indications (GI) regime, including possible expansion to new types of products and potential impacts on Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions. Your personal information (which include your views and opinions) is being collected pursuant to subsection 4(1) of the Department of Industry Act. 

    Your input is important. We will use your perspectives to help inform future policy and legislative considerations, including how Canada can better support innovation, regional development, and the protection of cultural and place-based assets. 

    Submissions will further be used for analysis and reporting purposes. Your submission may also be published online with your consent.

    The personal information you provide will be held in Standard Personal Information Bank No. PSU 914 – Public Communications. Your participation in this engagement is voluntary. There are no legal or administrative consequences for refusing to participate. 

    Under the Privacy Act, individuals who provide personal information to government institutions have the right to request access to and correction of that personal information. Requests in this regard may be sent to ISED’s Access to Information and Privacy Services Branch at: ic.atip-aiprpa.ic@ised-isde.gc.ca. Individuals further have the right to complain to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada on how their personal information is handled.  Further information is available online, at www.priv.gc.ca.    

     


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Page last updated: 28 May 2026, 09:50 AM