U.S. effort to form a global anti-China alliance is getting out of hand
TORONTO—The U.S. effort to form a global anti-China alliance is getting out of hand. Creating a new Cold War, this time with China, is both dangerous and counter-productive. It would divide the world into hostile blocs that would make everyone worse off economically, raise the risk of nuclear war, and lower the ability to solve […]
For climate justice, put the law in the service of human dignity
The 2021 G7 Summit opens on June 11, less than a week after World Environment Day (June 5). On May 21, G7 climate and environment ministers acknowledged, “with grave concern that the unprecedented and interdependent crises of climate change and biodiversity loss pose an existential threat to nature, people, prosperity and security.” On May 28, […]
Milking scapegoats: Biden administration bows to demands to reopen hyped up attacks on Canadian dairy, lumber
OTTAWA—One of the reasons Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency in 2016 was his promise to “drain the swamp”—that is, reduce the immense power of influence-peddlers and lobbyists in Washington, D.C., whose efforts to promote the agendas of their single-interest patrons were seen to be consistently strangling action on behalf of the American public. In […]
TRIPS waiver prioritizes the well-being of all people everywhere at a critical time
Given the rapid, global spread of COVID-19, a virus that started a world away in Wuhan, China, one cannot deny the interconnectedness of the world. The entire world is in a health crisis, and no country has been spared from the rages of the pandemic. Such exceptional circumstances call for extraordinary measures by all countries—big […]
Timing is everything for a Canadian foreign policy review
Having been one of the quarterbacks of the last Canadian foreign policy review some 20 years ago, I empathize with government leaders and officials facing calls now for another one. Today’s insiders must see these calls as profoundly lacking in situational awareness. We’re in the middle of a pandemic after all. And the Trudeau government […]
Bloc blames Liberals for delaying bill to end supply management concessions
The Bloc Québécois are accusing the Liberals of delaying a private member’s bill that would bar trade negotiators from being able to make supply management concessions in future trade talks even as the bill has received broad support. Bill C-216, which was introduced by Bloc MP Louis Plamondon (Bécancour–Nicolet–Saurel, Que.), passed at second reading in […]
‘Cautious optimism’ in talks to reopen non-essential travel with Canada, says new EU envoy
It may soon be time for Canadians to pack their luggage for Europe as European Union member nations are currently in talks over how and when borders will reopen for non-essential travel, says the European Union’s newest envoy to Canada. EU Ambassador Melita Gabrič said resuming non-essential travel will be based on a number of […]
Shattered dreams of peace in Colombia and what Canada can do about it
A national strike in Colombia that began on April 28 over a now-cancelled tax reform has grown into massive mobilizations against extreme inequality and police repression. Since then, at least 50 (and counting) demonstrators have been killed, hundreds have been detained arbitrarily or are still unaccounted for, dozens have suffered severe eye injuries, and multiple […]
U.S.-backed vaccine waiver should force Canada to support initiative, say politicos
The U.S. decision to support a waiver that could potentially lead to increased global COVID-19 vaccine production could force Canada’s hand as it has long delayed making a decision on the proposal put forward at the World Trade Organization, say analysts, including a former Liberal trade minister and WTO ambassador. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai […]
Biden scores big with developing nations while Canada appears to be sitting on sidelines
The Canadian government could have been on the wrong side of the world vaccine issue. By failing to immediately join the United States president in his call for an end to patent protection for coronavirus vaccines, Canada risked losing its globally positive reputation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has already signalled he may replace an initial […]
