The safeguard inquiry process starts when a complainant (i.e. any domestic producer of goods that are like or directly competitive with goods being imported into Canada, or any person or association acting on behalf of such domestic producer, or a trade union whose members are engaged in the Canadian production of like or directly competitive goods) files a written complaint with the Tribunal alleging that the imported goods are being imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to be a principal cause of serious injury, or threat thereof, to domestic producers of like or directly competitive goods.

A complaint of serious injury must be filed with the Tribunal and must include the information prescribed by subsections 23(2) and (3) of the CITT Act, as well as the information specified by the Tribunal in Appendix 2. For example, the complainant must state in reasonable detail the facts that support its serious injury allegations, and provide supporting evidence and documentation. Furthermore, the Tribunal can require the complainant to provide additional information in its written complaint relating to any relationships between domestic producers and exporters or importers, as prescribed by subrule 83(2) of the CITT Rules.

The complainant should endeavour to base its written complaint exclusively on public information. However, it may file confidential information relevant to the issues with the Tribunal, if necessary. In the latter case, the complainant must provide a public summary or redacted version of that confidential information and comply with the requirements of subsection 46(1) of the CITT Act. Further information regarding the treatment of confidential information in proceedings before the Tribunal can be found in its Confidentiality Guidelines.

Source: The Canadian International Trade Tribunal