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 […]
‘No time to lose’: Indo-Pacific strategy highly anticipated after absence from budget
Absent from the latest federal budget were commitments to Indo-Pacific priorities as Canadians await the government’s much-anticipated strategy for engagement in the region. In the budget tabled on April 7, the Liberal government pledged an additional $8-billion in defence funding and to complete a defence review. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s (University-Rosedale, […]
Now is Canada’s chance to become the world’s agri-food powerhouse
When Russia’s army invaded Ukraine, it not only caused massive humanitarian and political tragedies, but also destabilized world food systems. Ukraine and Russia are usually in the world’s top five wheat exporters, accounting for about 25 per cent of global wheat trade. Additionally, Russia and Ukraine also contribute enormous amounts of fertilizer (especially phosphate) and […]
Indian envoy hopes to see interim trade deal with Canada finalized in ‘about a year’
India’s envoy to Canada is hoping that an interim trade pact between the two countries can be concluded in “about a year” as Ottawa and Delhi announced earlier this month that they would restart trade talks. Canada and India held 10 negotiating rounds over seven years, starting in 2010 under the Harper government, but those […]
Farmers scramble for alternate fertilizer sources as world looks for Canada’s help in possible global food shortage
Canada cannot afford any further disruptions to its supply chain if the agriculture sector is to contend with a potential shortage of fertilizer as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to agriculture organizations. “We have a window of opportunity where farmers use fertilizer to maximize their crop production and their yields, and if […]
Opportunity ripe for Canada to work on energy security with Indo-Pacific allies, says Japanese envoy
In a world where geopolitics and the geo-economy evolve quickly, it’s necessary for like-minded countries, such as Japan and Canada, to co-operate on energy security, says Japan’s ambassador to Canada. The two countries have been working towards the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific—home to well more than half the world’s population—since April 2019, […]
