Stephen de Boer, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), discusses how the WTO and its agreements underpin Canada’s international trade policies. A stable, predictable and rules-based global trading system is critical for Canada’s economy and quality of life. But it is impossible to ignore the fact that the WTO is facing significant challenges across a range of fronts, including in delivering new negotiating results, the dispute settlement system and the day-to-day monitoring function of the organization. Despite these challenges, moving forward, Canada is engaged in discussions and is making progress to advance Canada’s interests in the WTO. Canada seeks to reinvigorate the regular work of the WTO and participate in discussions on the so-called new issues, namely, gender; micro, small and medium-sized enterprises; and e-commerce, all of which align with Canada’s progressive trade agenda.