NAFTA turmoil an opportunity for Canada to strike on agriculture
As North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations appear to teeter on the brink of failure, now—counter intuitively—is the best time for Canada to make new demands at the bargaining table. Specifically, it is an opportunity for the seemingly ignored agricultural sector. There are two reasons for this. The first is something that has gone […]
Too much of a good thing: Canada’s consultation crisis
After years of often feeling excluded from the policy-making and legislative process, many civil society groups were excited by the prospect of a new government committed to public consultations and feedback. The Liberal government moved quickly to consult on all manner of issues, providing hope that an emphasis on participatory democracy would lead to better […]
Canada must rethink trade strategy after a half-century of U.S. special access
OTTAWA—On Jan. 16, 1965, prime minister Lester Pearson sat next to U.S. president Lyndon Johnson at an outdoor table at Johnson’s ranch in Texas to sign the papers bringing the Canada-U.S. Auto Pact into existence. Old footage shows Johnson looking vague about the whole thing while Pearson exuded satisfaction. At the time, there appeared to […]
Investing in wireless technology is the key to innovation in Canada
Necessity is the mother of invention. Given Canada’s vast territory and large land mass, our need to find ways to stay in touch has been the driver of many a Canadian innovation, from the telephone to the first transatlantic wireless signal to mobile email. Today, telecommunications is a vital thread of our social fabric, and […]
Canada’s most-lobbied staffers drive policy tied to federal purse
Canada’s top-lobbied political staffers have “panache,” and are “affable” and “rigorous,” according to those who’ve sat down with the men who are the government’s most-sought officials based on communications reports filed in the federal lobbying registry this year. The three most in-demand staffers are all policy advisers to ministers in important departments connected to Liberal […]
Scrapping supply management could be a win-win for Canada, U.S.
The prime minister has been clear: his government will do whatever it takes to support middle-class Canadians and those who aspire to be in the middle class. As we head into the fourth round of NAFTA talks, it is an opportune time for Canada to give consideration to whether we should maintain our reliance on […]
Scheer should apologize for his apology
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given the emotional and combative nature of politics, partisan jibes will always fly thick and fast, which means it’s important for politicians to learn the art of how to strategically parry insults. So how should a politician respond to an affront? Back in ancient Roman times the answer was you responded with savagery. For […]
Canadian communities brace for Smart Cities Challenge despite scarce details
Canadian communities are lining up to compete for millions in lucrative funding as part of a new government-organized competition designed to foster greater innovation in urban centres. The Trudeau government’s Smart Cities Challenge is launching this fall, and although details remain scarce, some municipalities are seriously preparing for the $300-million competition. “Cities are ready and […]
Feds’ new $1.26-billion innovation fund about attracting and supporting ‘high-quality’ business investments in Canada: Bains
Navdeep Bains is bracing for a busy few months. After all, the Innovation, Science, and Economic Development minister is preparing to lead the rollout of two major initiatives aimed at fostering greater innovation in the Canadian economy: the Strategic Innovation Fund and the development of Canada’s new space strategy. Now the $1.26-billion Strategic Innovation Fund […]
Space Advisory Board looks towards unveiling of federal space strategy
The Space Advisory Board is looking toward advising the federal government on the implementation of its future space strategy. The government renewed the Space Advisory Board in 2016 to advise on long-term objectives for space and to engage with Canadian stakeholders on the state of the Canadian space sector. The board spent the summer consulting […]
