We shouldn’t be paying more for Canadian content
Most of the books on my shelf, like most on my tablet, are by authors who I was introduced to at school or university. It has therefore been quite surprising to me to read some of the recent press releases of publisher associations and groups which lobby on behalf of creators. They seem to promote […]
Expect mostly posturing in first round of NAFTA talks this week
Round 1 of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) gets underway this week, with this initial series of talks expected to see all sides introducing their starting positions, with limited progress beyond that. A Canadian delegation of about dozen people will meet with similar-sized contingents representing the United States and Mexico in Washington, […]
Groups representing education, food, health research lobby on through dog days of summer
Why would anyone want to lobby in the summer? Well, one reason is to explain to the government what a polytechnic is. In these dog days of summer, lobbyists are hard-pressed to find the country’s top elected officials hanging around Ottawa. Yet, a handful of organizations have been particularly busy so far this summer, talking […]
Time to eliminate gender discrimination in Indian registration, First Nation women deserve equality
PARLIAMENT HILL—I have been following with great interest the government’s decision to award Omar Khadr $10.5-million in compensation and in particular Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statements defending the decision. I invite the prime minister to use the same reasoning, principles, and values with regard to First Nations women and their rights in Bill S-3: An […]
Pacific NorthWest LNG’s demise is boon for clean growth
VANCOUVER, B.C.—British Columbia’s new government has committed to getting the province back on track to meeting its climate targets. Until last week, the Pacific NorthWest (PNW) LNG project, near Prince Rupert, presented a monumental obstacle to making good on that promise. Indeed, the liquefied natural gas mega-project threatened to be one of the largest carbon […]
For first time in known history, a U.S. president’s tweets play role in foreign affairs
OTTAWA—Trying to make sense of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tweets is a diplomatic nightmare. It’s the name of the game in Washington, D.C., since Mr. Trump took office in January. His inclination to tweet and vent his frustrations has created a new environment for political watchers and diplomats. “He’s impulsive, he has not shown great […]
U.S. demand for major changes to NAFTA big implications for our economy, negotiations will be difficult
TORONTO—Make no mistake. The U.S. demand for major changes to NAFTA has big implications for our own economy and the negotiations will be difficult. So much for “tweaking” the agreement. This being the case, Canada should make it clear, from day one of the negotiations, that we won’t be pushed into a fast agreement just […]
Provincial ministers’ summer gabfest hands Trudeau a gift he could not refuse
OTTAWA—The pot thickens. The provincial ministers annual summer gabfest handed the prime minister a gift he could not refuse. A political pot fight is just what Justin Trudeau needs to shore up his left flank. Traditional New Democratic voters across the country fled their party to support the Liberals in the last election. Some simply […]
Steel, automotive interests central in June lobbying
Federal lobbying in June was dominated by the concerns of those in the steel and automotive industries, according to data in the lobbyists registry, and the timing of some previously planned lobby days proved to be opportune for the steel sector with rising protectionism in the United States becoming a threat. The Canadian Steel Producers […]
Canada’s marine litter and sustainable fisheries commitments necessitate action on ghost gear
The world’s oceans need help. That’s why, when the UN developed its Sustainable Developmental Goals in 2015, safeguarding the oceans was identified as one of the 17 focal areas. Last month, the UN hosted the first ever Oceans Conference to empower and motivate countries, the private sector, civil society, and citizens to commit to ocean […]
