Lobbying
Canada’s ‘social agenda’ derailing NAFTA, says ex-Pence chief of staff
By Shruti Shekar October 30, 2017
Canada has 'reasons to be concerned' about the direction of the trade talks, says veteran congressional staffer Bill Smith.
Bill Smith, president of Sextons Creek, has more than 20 years of experience in the U.S. Congress. He says Canada should be concerned about the direction of the NAFTA and that U.S. President Donald Trump has the power to pull out of it. The Hill Times photograph by Shruti Shekar
The former chief of staff to U.S. vice-president Mike Pence says Canada’s demands to include language on gender, Indigenous people, and climate change in the NAFTA negotiations have created an “obstacle” to progress, with no path forward.
Related Stories
-
Sponsored Content
An Open Letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from Diabetes Canada
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
Don’t expect Biden’s tough, bipartisan approach to China to be met with Canadian imitation, say analysts
A tough, bipartisan American approach on China could put additional pressure on Canada, but questions loom over whether Joe Biden's campaign rhetoric will be met with White House action. Federal cybersecurity workers heading for strike votes following bargaining impasse
With the two sides having been at the bargaining table for almost two years following the expiry of the most recent collective agreement, strike votes are scheduled to run from Feb. 11 to 24.Feds should establish regulator to rein in ‘Wild West’ of social media, says report
Even as the commission said the regulator should have the power to impose fines or administrative penalties as a deterrent against a pattern of non-compliance, it warned against Germany’s 'reactive' approach.NDP to focus on pandemic measures, amplifying message in winter sitting
The party assigned six new critics in the lead-in to the House’s return after previously stripping MP Niki Ashton of all her critic duties for travelling abroad to tend to a sick relative.Trans Mountain work stoppage continues, as CPC’s McLean says project ‘even more important’ post-U.S. axing of Keystone XL
NDP MP Richard Cannings says with global demand for oil trending down—a trend set to accelerate if needed climate policies are pursued—it ‘calls into question the whole viability’ of the multibillion-dollar project.No replacing need for in-person diplomacy, say chairs, as work of interparliamentary groups goes on
The 13 interparliamentary associations haven't been able to travel or host foreign delegations since last March, but their work has continued virtually with some technical issues. AG says office has kept pace with scrutinizing feds’ pandemic spending
The OAG, which typically has a staff of between 575 and 600 employees, has now surpassed the 700 mark after it began recruiting additional reinforcements to help manage the COVID workload.Payette’s resignation yet another self-inflicted wound for Trudeau Liberals, say former senior Grits
Justin Trudeau should take his time and follow a proper screening process in choosing Julie Payette’s successor, says Prof. Donald Savoie. Liberals held a virtual election readiness ‘2021 kick-off call’ with caucus, ridings, and campaign managers last week
The Jan. 18 online meeting was a regular monthly meeting aimed to update MPs and riding volunteers about 'party’s tools and resources to stay connected with Canadians in virtual ways that respect public health guidelines,' says Braeden Caley, senior director, communication with the Liberal PartyTrending Stories
