Canada needs to play larger global role after ‘sluggish’ response to COVID-19 IP waiver, says new South African envoy
After reaching a limited agreement to address intellectual property barriers hindering greater distribution of COVID-19 preventing products, Ottawa was “sluggish” to help find a solution, says South Africa’s newest envoy to Canada. South Africa and India brought forward a waiver at the World Trade Organization Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) […]
Reputation a real risk to justify Emergencies Act, say experts, but opposition decries lack of receipts
The threat to Canada’s reputation as a reliable trading partner was a key concern leading to the invocation of the Emergencies Act, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland recently told the joint committee examining the decision, saying the convoy protests posed a “real economic threat.” “It was clear to me that with each […]
Senator Black hosts a whisky shindig on the Hill
Canadian Senators Group Senator Rob Black (Ontario) hosted the final reception of the season on June 15, in Room 325 of the Wellington Building, to showcase grains and oilseed farmers and, as the Irish poets call it, that golden-brown “elixir of life and philosophers stone” they produce: “whisky me boys.” The Grain Farmers of Ontario, […]
Father’s Day on the Hill sets stage for launch of foundation supporting men’s mental health
Father’s Day on the Hill, an annual event that raises awareness about men’s mental health, will return in-person to Parliament Hill for its fifth anniversary on June 15. And as part of the event, Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux is set to launch the Hi Dad Foundation, a year-round initiative that will continue the work of raising awareness around the importance […]
Union win at Mexican auto plant brings new hope for labour rights
Supporters of labour rights in Mexico won a big victory on May 26 when workers at General Motors’ biggest auto plant, located in the city of Silao, ratified a first collective agreement negotiated by their new, independently elected union SINTTIA. The Silao truck plant, built in 1996 on the heels of the North American Free […]
Experts call for more federal action on neglected trade infrastructure as Canada falls in international rankings
With an overwhelming percentage of the Canadian economy dependent upon trade—more than 65 per cent of GDP as measured a few years ago—trade and infrastructure experts say Canada needs to urgently address long-neglected trade infrastructure to remain competitive. According to a May 9 report from the Canada West Foundation, From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worth: […]
Tai paints optimistic view of Canada-U.S. trade in first visit to Ottawa, but disputes continue to grow
While disputes continue to build up between Canada and the U.S., the two countries’ top trade officials highlighted a “strong” relationship during U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s first visit north of the border. When U.S. President Joe Biden took the reins of the White House more than 16 months ago, some in Canada hoped it […]
Continued dawdling on vaccine waiver position leaves NDP and advocates ‘extremely frustrated’
Nineteen months after India and South Africa put forward an intellectual property waiver on COVID-19 vaccines, Canada’s continued delay to signal an opinion on the matter has left many with a bitter taste in their mouths. The waiver was submitted at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Council in […]
Why the world needs less oil and gas, and what Canada can do to keep 1.5°C alive
“Human induced climate change and the war on Ukraine have the same roots—fossil fuels and our dependence on them,” Ukrainian delegate Svitlana Krakovska said in a passionate speech before the launch of a landmark report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Her statement reflects a tragic truth about fossil fuels called “a dead […]
Dairy, agriculture hurdles need to be addressed for CETA to reach full potential, says new Spanish envoy
Spain’s new ambassador to Canada says more work needs to be done for the trade pact with the European Union to reach its full potential. Madrid was one of the early adopters of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), ratifying the deal weeks after Canada did in 2017. Alfredo Martínez Serrano, who presented his […]
