Commons okays $2.4-million in committee travel over past year
The House of Commons and a panel of MPs that reviews travel budgets for standing committees has approved a total of $2.4-million for committee trips in Canada and abroad since the Liberals formed government, a record of the expenses shows. The bulk of the budgets and expenditures were approved from February to October 2016—a total of […]
The other half of preparing for a Trump era
CALGARY—As much as trade-dependent Canada suffers when the United States shoots itself in the foot, there are still often gains to be had. This is shaping up to be likely with the incoming Trump administration. Anticipating and preparing to seize these opportunities is the other, often overlooked, half of the work that is needed by the private sector, federal and provincial governments to prepare for the incoming […]
Canada’s progressive trade agenda starts in Africa
The arrival of president-elect Donald Trump threw the Liberal government’s trade strategy off balance. The recent reshuffling of cabinet and the now laser-like focus on the United States, Canada’s most important commercial relationship, confirmed the need for a reboot. The first casualty of the change in strategy is likely the government’s “progressive trade agenda,” particularly […]
The Trump watchers: who advises Trudeau on the new Washington
The inauguration of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is days away, and with it, a new era in Canada-U.S. relations will begin. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) has dispatched Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland (University-Rosedale, Ont.), his new Trump-wrangler in cabinet, to Washington to serve as the face of the government and networker-in-chief during the festivities. […]
Drywall tariff harms businesses, must be lowered
On Sept. 6, a provisional tariff of up to 277 per cent was imposed on gypsum board coming in to Western Canada from the United States exclusively, with disastrous consequences. This came as a shock to businesses in the construction sector, their employees, and clients in the process of building schools, major infrastructure projects, and […]
Trudeau’s cabinet makeover largely a reaction to U.S. political ripples: expert
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shook up key positions in his cabinet on Tuesday as he prepared for the new realities of a Donald Trump presidency by naming former International Trade minister Chrystia Freeland as Canada’s new Foreign Affairs minister, while, in an unconventional move, also announcing that the climbing cabinet star would remain in charge […]
Through CETA, European seal ban should be scrapped
I understand that many Canadians approve of the CETA free trade agreement, as the reduction in tariffs has the potential to increase Canadian exports to Europe and thus improve both our GDP and balance of trade figures, and this would be a good thing. I also understand that many Canadians are against the CETA because […]
Liberals pitch ‘progressive’ model for controversial trade court worldwide
Canada’s government is trying to sell other countries on a new international investor-versus-state court system that helped to save its trade deal with Europe, as it aims to become a champion of “progressive” free trade in the world. The federal government co-hosted a meeting in Geneva in mid-December on “progressive dispute-resolution mechanisms for international trade,” along with the […]
Latvian ambassador says NATO deployment a ‘new phase’ in Latvia-Canada relations
Latvia’s new ambassador to Canada, Karlis Eihenbaums, says Canada’s troop deployment to Latvia will strengthen relations between the Baltic state and Canada. About 450 Canadian troops will be leading the NATO mission in Latvia, in response to perceived Russian aggression in the area. The ambassador said troops will begin arriving this month, with the mission becoming operational […]
How to start off on the right foot with Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C.—We don’t know what Donald Trump’s victory will mean for Canada-United States relations. We can’t even be sure what it means for the U.S. Trump’s supporters voted for disruption; they chose someone they think is independent of the Republican Party “establishment” and they expect him to deliver. Voters, tired of Washington, wanted a straight-talker […]
