Canada needs to rethink hostage policy
OTTAWA—Last Saturday, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad was freed by Abu Sayyaf after nearly a year of captivity in the southern Philippines. A ransom was paid but by who remains vague. Mr. Sekkingstad was kidnapped on Sept. 21, 2015 along with Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Filipino Marites Flor. Ms. Flor was released earlier this year. […]
Kosovo president makes first visit to Canada amid warming political ties
TORONTO—The president of Kosovo made his first visit to Canada last week to pitch for more Canadian investment to match warming political ties. Hashim Thaçi visited Toronto Sept. 11 to 15 to meet with diaspora members, speak to Canadian officials, and speak as a panellist at the Toronto Global Forum, an annual event bringing together […]
Glaring disconnect between economic growth trade, investment agreements
POWELL RIVER, B.C.—There is a glaring disconnect in the world between economic growth trade and investment agreements. At the same time that Canada and other countries are pushing hard for huge multinational deals—the TPP, CETA and the U.S.-EU deal, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)—all the evidence suggests that global trade is on a […]
Fall preview: international trade
OTTAWA—Trade deals are typically advanced at a glacial pace in the best of times, and the Liberals have taken a mixed approach to moving along the deals they inherited from the Conservative government. While frustrating for the private sector and official opposition, that may be prudent given the international political realities in play. Here’s a snapshot […]
Hottest lobbying issues this fall
As the House begins its fall session, heavy lobbying is about to start again. Looking at the top 10 topics in active registrations on the federal lobbyists’ registry, as of Sept. 15, these are likely to be among the topics most often discussed between lobbyists and public office holders: industry, international trade, environment, taxation and […]
To prosper in China, innovate at home
Canada wants a deeper relationship with China. This was the core message that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took with him on his recent trip where he met with the top Chinese leadership. But if Canada is to succeed, then it has become a much more innovative nation, because that is where China is headed. A […]
What’s in a name? Canada switches from Burma to Myanmar, after years of protest
The Canadian government has started calling the south-east Asian nation it previously called Burma as Myanmar in recognition of the country’s transition to democracy after decades of authoritarian rule, and the parliamentary friendship group for the country may soon follow suit. In protest of the military government that ruled the country at the time, Canada […]
U.S. lobbyists cheesed off over proposed Canadian dairy policy
Lobby groups in the United States, European Union, and three other countries are leaning on their governments to launch trade challenges against Canada, arguing that proposed changes to help Canada’s dairy farmers compete with diafiltered milk imports amount to a violation of trade law. Canadian dairy producers and processors are working to ratify a national […]
A Trump victory would threaten Canada’s entire modern-day economy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government needs to start thinking seriously about the impact of an election victory by Donald Trump, whose protectionist mentality could lead to an economic crisis in Canada. Even before Hillary Clinton’s health mishap on Sept. 11, it had become apparent that Trump could win the U.S. presidency on Nov. 8. He […]
Politics this morning: Finance Committee to hold emergency meeting on CPP
Today is Friday, Sept. 9 In case you missed it (ICYMI): Yesterday, the National Energy Board (NEB) launched a 30-day public consultation process that will gather input from all Canadians wishing to provide feedback about a draft Board Order that would require pipeline companies to make their emergency management programs public by March 31, 2017. Happening today: […]
