Food supply, emergency vehicle repair: keeping Canada-U.S. trade open key to fight against COVID-19, say stakeholders
With the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic having shifted to the United States, industry stakeholders say Canada-U.S. trade is too vital for cross-border commerce to be halted. While non-essential travel between Canada and the United States has been barred since March 17, with commerce being exempted, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly floated ending physical distancing […]
Start date for new North American trade pact could be pushed back amid coronavirus pandemic, says NAFTA Council member
As the White House seeks to have the new North American trade deal in force by the beginning of June, a member of the government’s NAFTA advisory group says that timeline is unlikely to be met. Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff told The Hill Times that the group held a call earlier this month […]
Agricultural priorities before and after COVID-19
Parliament is now suspended until at least April 20 in the wake of the recent COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, as parliamentarians do their part in social distancing. With the support of all parties, a motion was moved in the House on Friday, March 13, which moved certain legislative measures ahead with great rapidity. Among […]
How free trade agreements can boost the presence of Canadian agri-food products in the global market
Canadian agriculture is increasingly dependent on foreign markets to drive demand growth. Agriculture continues to be a highly protected sector in international trade. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) aim to reduce these barriers through bilateral and multilateral negotiations giving Canadian agri-food exporters preferential trade access. These FTAs, however, do have a differential impact in promoting agri-food. […]
Farmers need a champion, the Liberals haven’t answered the bell
Canadian agriculture is a critical pillar of our economy, but it can only reach its full potential with reliable, strong trade agreements. The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sectors account for more than $100-billion in economic activity every year and employ more than two million Canadians. However, few countries are as reliant on global trade as […]
Stop downgrading the role of Parliament
TORONTO—Our democratic system is in trouble, with MPs seen as out of touch with public needs and ineffective in dealing with public problems. One reason for this is the downgrading of the role of Parliament itself and the diminished role of individual MPs in shaping legislation or holding governments accountable. If we want to restore […]
‘Completely disrespectful’: late release of NAFTA economic study a sign of disregard for parliamentary process, say some opposition MPs
The last-minute distribution of a long-awaited economic impact assessment had opposition MPs on the House International Trade Committee criticizing the way the federal government has moved the new NAFTA implementation bill through the parliamentary process. Just minutes before a Feb. 26 committee meeting, MPs were given Global Affairs’ economic impact study of the Canada-United States-Mexico […]
Downe wants Parliament to have power to amend new NAFTA, Liberals pledge to share objectives of future trade talks with House
The power of American lawmakers to modify trade agreements has inspired their Canadian counterparts to look for more of their own influence over the trade negotiation process, say some parliamentarians. CSG Senator Percy Downe (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) says the work of Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to alter the new NAFTA has set a […]
Ebay Canada celebrates 2019 entrepreneurs of the year
Ebay Canada and Greg MacEachern’s Proof Strategies celebrated Canadian e-commerce entrepreneurship at their 2019 Entrepreneurs of the Year party on Feb. 19 at Ottawa’s favourite watering hole, the Métropolitain Brasserie. The warm, homey scent of fresh baked bread besieged Party Central’s nostrils as he, Hill Times assistant deputy editor Abbas Rana, and Hill Times photographer […]
Time to build a national transportation corridor
Canada has traditionally excelled at transportation, especially over long distances. This reflects the necessity of carrying people and goods across our country, often in difficult conditions, and the opportunity from access to lucrative export markets. As a result, Canada built world-class companies in sectors ranging from ships to railways to pipelines and some areas of […]
