Transportation to rely on: we need to take bold steps and come together as an industry
The freight transportation industry has collaborated and adapted to minimize supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather events in British Columbia in 2021. The industry needs to continue to adopt the same tenacity and spirit of cooperation to resolve long-standing challenges such as capacity constraints, lack of transparency and limited inter-jurisdictional […]
Canada should follow U.S. lead with supply chain czar, say exporters
A supply chain crisis across a transportation sector as diverse as Canada’s needs a dedicated supply chain commissioner with “the power to convene” sector leaders, according to a representative of a coalition of agriculture organizations and exporters. To address Canada’s supply chain crisis, the federal government announced plans to develop a supply chain task force, […]
MPs yet to take advantage of increased transparency in trade negotiation process
MPs on the House Committee for International Trade have yet to take advantage of a greater oversight role by studying three upcoming trade negotiations. International Trade Minister Mary Ng (Markham-Thornhill, Ont.) has tabled notices of intent to enter trade negotiations with the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Trade objectives […]
Taiwanese accession to CPTPP would be a win for Canada
The Asia-Pacific is a powerhouse of global economic growth, making it a region of critical importance to Canadian trade and investment. Canada has demonstrated a strong commitment to the region by working closely with key organizations there, strengthening its relationship with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the […]
In a NAFTA renegotiation team reunion, Freeland’s Finance Department adds Steve Verheul
The pair that is credited with saving Canada’s North American trade pact are reuniting in the Finance Department, as the chief negotiator of the new NAFTA, Steve Verheul, has joined Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s department. Widely praised across the partisan divide, Verheul has been called the “architect” and “brain” of Canada’s trade agenda. He left […]
‘We should respect each other’: South Africa says notification not given before travel ban imposed
It’s not just the decision to implement a controversial travel ban on southern African nations, which since has been revoked, but the way in which Canada went about announcing the plan, that irked South Africa’s envoy in Ottawa. Outgoing South African High Commissioner Sibongiseni Dlamini-Mntambo said she learned that Ottawa was imposing the ban not […]
Shifting trade away from the U.S. never more urgent
OTTAWA—Reducing Canada’s economic dependence on the United States by diversifying trade away from the U.S. to what the federal government now calls “overseas” markets has been an on-and-off response to American protectionism going back as far as you want to look. Promoting such a shift in sales focus among would-be Canadian exporters, for example, was […]
Expect continuity in Canada’s foreign policy and national security corridors after DM shuffle: analysts
While two new principal national security and foreign policy advisers to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are starting in the Privy Council Office as part of an immense shuffle in the senior civil service, no sharp policy turns are expected. The shuffle of 18 senior public servants announced on Jan. 5—coupled with the retirement of 10 […]
Canada rolls the dice and engages Congress on subsidies for zero-emission vehicles
In early December, Canada mounted a “diplomatic blitz” on Capitol Hill, asking Congress to reject provisions of the Biden Build Back Better (BBB) legislation that violate provisions of the new NAFTA. There’s ample precedent for Canada engaging Congress when administrations—Democratic or Republican—disregard U.S. legal obligations or ignore the reality of our heavily integrated economies. This […]
Forthcoming Indo-Pacific strategy will be a ‘great vehicle’ for Canada-South Korea co-operation, says envoy
One of the country’s key Pacific regional partners is looking forward to seeing Canada’s highly anticipated Indo-Pacific strategy. South Korean Ambassador Chang Keung Ryong said he is “certain” that there will be “considerable room for co-operation” between Canada and South Korea on “many fronts” as part of the strategy. “Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, once it is […]
