‘It is just too important’: Conservatives will vote for new NAFTA implementation despite vocal criticism of Liberals’ renegotiations, say trade analysts
Despite their bemoaning of the new North American trade pact, in the end Conservatives will support the deal because it’s too important, say international trade analysts. Before the renegotiated trade pact was amended, the Conservatives stated that they could have negotiated a better deal, but they would support it. But since the amended United States-Mexico-Canada […]
Who will do the heavy lifting on trade policy and strategy? Is that Ng’s job or Freeland’s?
TORONTO—What is Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Mary Ng’s real cabinet job? To diversify Canada’s exports to make us less reliant on the U.S. market? To be the government’s big thinker on the future of trade policy? To focus mainly on her previous job as cheerleader for Canada’s small businesses? This […]
Trudeau’s new normal: the brazen sanity of Chrystia Freeland
One of the funniest moments during CBC’s live coverage of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet swearing-in on Nov. 20 came from veteran political Svengali David Herle. On the news of Chrystia Freeland’s promotion from foreign affairs to deputy prime minister, Herle reminded anchor Vassy Kapelos that Freeland is not known in Ottawa for her leadership ambitions. In […]
Canadian labour backs U.S. Democrats, unions in USMCA impasse, but ratification timing a ‘worry,’ says Canadian Labour Congress
In the midst of ongoing U.S. negotiations over the implementation of the new NAFTA, Canadian labour unions are supporting the efforts of U.S. House Democrats and American labour to strengthen labour enforcement provisions in the trade pact, but a leading Canadian labour voice says the delayed timing is a “worry.” Hassan Yussuff, president of the […]
The ‘lost’ opportunity of the PM’s India trip, and other observations from India’s exiting envoy
India’s high-profile High Commissioner, Vikas Swarup, had an eventful two-and-a-half years in Canada, visiting every province and territory and giving more than 150 talks, during a term that spanned elections in both countries, a scandal-plagued prime ministerial visit, and heightened tensions in the disputed territory of Kashmir. An “opportunity was lost” with Prime Minister Justin […]
Implementation of new NAFTA will be ‘important priority’ for Liberal government as U.S. negotiations progress
With MPs set to return to Ottawa on Dec. 5, progress is being made towards implementation of the new NAFTA south of the border, highlighted by the recent visit to Parliament Hill of the chairman of the important U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. The implementation is viewed as an “important priority” by Foreign Affairs […]
Trudeau needs Freeland at foreign affairs to deal with NAFTA cliffhanger
OTTAWA—The economy always scores fairly high when voters are asked during election campaigns about the issues that matter most. But it’s debatable whether economic concerns really count for much unless the economy is in the doldrums and jobs are scarce. Among voters in the East, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals probably got some […]
Shuffling Freeland would be a ‘mistake,’ says former Liberal justice minister Cotler
A former Liberal justice minister says moving Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland to a different cabinet role would be “a mistake” at a time of increasing authoritarianism around the globe. “[Ms. Freeland] has been so effective, [and] when you have the right person in the right place at the right time, it’s not the time […]
Now that the election is over, stop the digital services tax
Canadians have returned Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party to government, albeit without either a majority of the House of Commons or a plurality of the popular vote. Mr. Trudeau will therefore have to work with other parties in order to get the votes needed for any new initiatives to pass. One of the priorities […]
Ottawa needs to look at other trade options in the Middle East
With the federal elections behind us, it’s time to reexamine how the Liberal government has handled Canada’s business and trade relations with the oil-rich, Gulf Arab states. When Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland publicly denounced Saudi crackdowns on its civil right activists last year, Riyadh reacted furiously. It suspended diplomatic ties, stopped future trade and […]
