Mining group tells government to stand at wrong end of elephant
The Mining Association of Canada is apparently concerned that the Canadian government may be ready to introduce a human rights ombudsperson for the extractive industries that is actually effective. Model legislation proposed by the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability late last year would give such an ombudsperson the mandate to carry out independent investigations in […]
Canada could be a key contributor, beneficiary of China’s Belt and Road project
OTTAWA—Last month, China successfully held the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. Twenty-nine foreign heads of state and government leaders attended the forum as well as more than 1,500 representatives from over 130 countries, including Canada, and over 70 international organizations. The forum sent positive signals to the international community to jointly […]
Government takes defensive action against new U.S. reality
MONTREAL—The Liberal foreign policy statement on June 6 and national defence reset a day later are interlocking pieces of the same political puzzle. To examine one in isolation from the other is to risk distorting the picture. In different but related ways, both reflect a Donald Trump-imposed shift in Canada’s foreign policy priorities. To measure the […]
Blair right guy to usher in legalized pot regime
This old political saying might apply to having Liberal MP Bill Blair as the government’s point man on the marijuana-legalization file: “Only Nixon could go to China.” To review what those words mean, former U.S. president Richard Nixon, before he became “not a crook” over Watergate, was seen as a staunch anti-communist during the Cold […]
Time for Canada to pull together, not revive old constitutional battles
OTTAWA—It’s hard to imagine a worse time for Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard to start floating the issue of Quebec and the Constitution again. While Canadians seem generally unaware of the risks bearing down on them, they should be devoting their energies to an urgent examination of how the country, working co-operatively, can prepare to cope […]
Skilled trades must remain part of conversation on innovation, say advocates
As the Trudeau government seeks out avenues to bolster innovation, advocates are urging Ottawa to tap into the opportunities available in the skilled-trades field, arguing innovation isn’t restricted to the digital sphere. Bob Blakely, operating officer for Canada’s Building Trades Unions, which represents more than 500,000 construction workers, argued that not only have technological advancements […]
Canada’s privacy commissioner needs power to fine privacy infringers
Facebook tracks us all over the internet. WhatsApp shares our personal information. But Canada’s privacy “protection” agency is unable to take any action to protect Canadians… while other countries impose million dollar fines. It’s a problem hiding in plain sight. Canada has privacy protection laws but the privacy commissioner, in charge of ensuring its effectiveness, […]
Innovation agenda about creating good-paying jobs, says Bains
For Navdeep Bains, the goal is simple. Whether it’s superclusters, skills upgrading, or university research, the minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development says the Trudeau government’s innovation-steered investments are being trotted out to accomplish one immensely important task—to create jobs, and good-paying, middle-class supporting jobs, at that. And while that may be easier said […]
With much uncertainty in Pacific trade talks, a Canada-Japan trade agreement should be a priority
A bilateral trade deal with Japan could mean billions of dollars for both the Canadian and Japanese economies. Given the uncertain future of trade agreements in both the Pacific region and in North America, now is the time to finalize the Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). As co-chairs of the Canada–Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, a bilateral […]
Feds pursuing TPP revival, crunching numbers on new deal
The government’s trade experts are drawing up a playbook for talks on a reworked 11-country Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, trying to anticipate what the remaining members will want in order to swing a deal without the United States. “I think it’s safe to say that there will be some changes,” said a government official speaking on […]
