To move beyond the pandemic, Canada needs to look globally
It has become evident that COVID-19 does not discriminate between borders or international alliances. Despite this, some of the wealthiest nations are gripped by a zero-sum mentality, as they have made and continue to make policy decisions that solely look inwards. Last year, the World Trade Organization reported that 80 countries banned the exportation of personal protective equipment […]
Canada is still a middle power: someone should tell the prime minister
As we approach six months since U.S. President Joe Biden’s inauguration—what Canadian leaders thought would be a watershed moment for Canada on the international stage—it is worth asking ourselves what, if anything, has changed? The unpredictable and often short-tempered president Donald Trump has been replaced with a career politician that many Canadians believed would prioritize […]
‘We have to have visits’: New Romanian envoy hopes for renewal of high-level meetings post-pandemic
Romania’s new ambassador to Canada is hoping that future high-level meetings between Ottawa and Bucharest can be used to further develop the Canada-Romanian relationship. Bogdan Mănoiu said he hopes to see the leaders of the two nations meet shortly after public health conditions allow. “The international agenda, unforeseen events, unforeseen processes—and the highest on this list […]
Political calendar could push start of Canada-U.K. trade talks to 2022
With new parliamentary tabling requirements and the possibility of an upcoming election, negotiations for a more comprehensive Canada-United Kingdom free trade agreement could be pushed to next year. When the two countries agreed to the Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) in late 2020, they pledged to begin negotiations for a comprehensive trade deal in 2021. […]
One year into new North American trading pact, Canada has returned to ‘good old days’ of trade disputes
After a year with the new NAFTA in place, Canada has returned to stability in its North American trading relationship, but historic disputes continue, say analysts. Gone are the threats for the North American trade deal to be withdrawn, but in its place remain long-standing disputes over Buy American provisions, softwood lumber, and access to […]
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 […]
