Canadian envoys lack security training: internal report
Canadian diplomats abroad need more security training, even in so-called safe countries, if they are to be better prepared for the kind of attack that gripped the United Kingdom last week, according to a newly released internal report from the foreign ministry. A man slammed his SUV into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London on March 22 […]
Indian high commissioner remains ‘hopeful’ pulses trade spat will be resolved before deadline
India’s new high commissioner, Vikas Swarup, says he is hopeful that India will renew its six-month relaxation period on Canada’s pulse exports. “I can only remain hopeful” he said. “It eventually depends on what comes out of India. But the conversations I’ve had lead me to go in a positive direction.” India is Canada’s biggest […]
Agriculture complicates Trump’s trade bluster
Questions are swirling around the direction of United States trade policy now that Donald Trump is in the White House. He came out swinging against Mexico and China for what he perceives to be the theft of American manufacturing jobs. He is considering a 20 per cent border tax on imports from Mexico as a […]
Latvia lobbying other EU member states to follow its lead, ratify CETA
Latvia’s foreign minister says the Baltic country is doing its best to “push for” other European Union states to follow its lead and ratify the CETA trade deal with Canada “as early as possible.” Edgars Rinkevics was in Ottawa last week holding high-level meetings to discuss Canada’s upcoming deployment of troops for a NATO mission […]
Canada and the EU can shape globalization together
OTTAWA—On March 25, the European Union marked 60 years since the signature of the Rome Treaty and the creation of the European Communities. It was a defining moment in the history of European integration that ushered in an era of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and security that citizens of EU member states have enjoyed ever since. […]
How Canada can better its brand in the Philippines
Canadian mining companies are often the face of Canada in the Global South. For those affected by these companies, this face may be a far cry from how Canadians like to see themselves. This week a delegation from the Philippines will be in Ottawa and on Parliament Hill to help Canadians understand how human rights […]
Business before politics: Why Canada needs a national business plan for China
The Canadian government had its first round of exploratory talks with China last month as a precursor to potential negotiations for a free trade agreement. But before Canada executes a new economic arrangement with China, the first step should be completion of a national business plan to significantly increase exports of goods and services, as […]
Canada’s foreign policy choices in an era of disruption
OTTAWA—With Donald Trump’s election as United States president, Canada finds itself in an exciting position. Trump is both disruptive and catalyzing; implicitly cajoling Canada’s leaders to, reluctantly and hesitantly, embrace change. If there is discomfort in that, it comes largely from the stark choices Canadians must confront in reacting to Trump’s policies. Consider, for example, […]
Use of carbon tax revenues hold key to ensuring new price doesn’t hinder growth: Economist
The success of the Liberal government’s promised national carbon price largely rests on how the funds gleaned from the program are recycled back into the Canadian economy, though it remains possible to implement the fee without hindering growth, says economist Craig Alexander. “We can put a price on carbon and still have the Canadian economy […]
Border adjustment taxes are inevitable
Re: “Why carbon pricing and cash rebates to oil companies go hand in hand” (The Hill Times, March 8, p. 15). Respectfully, I understand why cash rebates are needed to help “emissions intensive” and “trade exposed” (EITE) sectors in an economy with carbon pricing. I also understand United States President Donald Trump is a wildcard and we must […]
