Trump presidency puts Canada’s food producers on alert
The new U.S. administration’s stated desire to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is leaving those in the agricultural sector wondering what this will mean for food producers in Canada, and many are looking to other continents to fill any potential trade void. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.) signalled last week […]
Canada’s supply-management system ‘evolving’
While new U.S. President Donald Trump may be getting pressure from American dairy producers to pry open Canada’s supply-management system, many say it’s unlikely this protectionist leader will be looking seriously at the issue, though the system is likely to change any way. “Canada’s existing and soon-to-be-expanded protectionist policies are intentionally designed to block imports […]
‘My job is to put more money in the farmers’ pockets,’ says agriculture minister
Canada’s agriculture industry, especially sectors captured by the insulating supply management scheme, looked to see significant changes under the terms of the multinational Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact negotiated by the former Conservative government. The 12-nation agreement paved the way for a small increase in the amount of dairy, poultry, and eggs imports, while supporters hoped the pact […]
Science applied to organic agriculture helps all farmers
GUELPH, ONT.—Organic agriculture has far more in common than it has differences with non-organic agriculture. It is based on similar traditions and information flows both ways. Science applies to organic agriculture as much as it does to agriculture at large. Research conducted in unmasked biological systems, under organic methods, reveals relationships and interactions sometimes not […]
Going global: Canada needs an innovative strategy to help smaller companies go to Asia
Small and medium-sized Canadian businesses that are exporting to the U.S. suddenly have a lot to worry about. If U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that he will enact sweeping tax reforms and renegotiate NAFTA are realized, our companies are likely to see their profits fall and demand for their products and services decline. As some […]
Ottawa must completely redraft its innovation strategy
Multinational corporations tend to concentrate their strategic activities, including research and development (R&D), at or near the head office rather than in their foreign subsidiaries. Since Canada’s economy relies mostly on local branches of foreign corporations, mostly American, structural reasons explain why Canada has one of OECD’s worst records in terms of R&D intensity. In […]
Liberals missing the mark on innovation for tomorrow
Innovation is crucial for keeping our economy vibrant, and is key to maintaining Canada’s competitive stance on the world stage. It’s important for any government to recognize this, and for it to help foster an environment for innovation to grow. If our companies can’t afford to create new jobs and hire workers with new innovative ideas, […]
‘Be patient, don’t prejudge,’ Trump presidency ‘positive’ for Canada, says Bush-era U.S. ambassador
Relations between Canada and the United States are off to a “positive” start under new U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a former U.S. ambassador to Canada who served under George W. Bush. “There’s certainly been some pluses,” David Wilkins said of the cross-border relationship so far. “President Trump gave the green light to the [Keystone] […]
PMO’s new Canada-U.S. relations ‘war room’ unit seen as ‘smart,’ considered unprecedented
The PMO’s unprecedented new Canada-U.S. relations “war room” led by Brian Clow is being lauded by observers as a smart move, created to help coordinate the Trudeau government’s quick response and strategy to U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable new administration. “There’s not been a unit like this set up within the PMO to the best […]
Trump aside, Canada should reject trade deals that put drugs out of reach
Donald Trump has withdrawn the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and declared his intention to renegotiate NAFTA. But as some try to revive the TPP, and trade talks between Ottawa and Washington heat up, Canada should walk away from any deal that perpetuates inadequate, inequitable access to life-saving medicines, here or globally. NAFTA’s […]
