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 […]
Canada can look to Japan as ‘bridge-builder’ in the Asia Pacific, envoy says
Japan’s new ambassador to Canada says his country can be the “best bridge-builder” in the Asia Pacific and he’d like to see the two close countries develop more “concrete” connections. “We hope to be regarded as the best bridge-builder between the Asia Pacific and Canada,” said Yasuhisa Kawamura during a Feb. 11 interview at the […]
Tory leadership candidates champion CANZUK pact, but trade experts question idea’s merit
Conservative leadership candidates are renewing a call for a new Commonwealth trading network amid Britain’s exit from the European Union, but trade experts question the value of such a proposition. Part of the Conservative Party’s policy platform since 2018 is the hope for a free-trade, free-movement, and security-co-ordination agreement between Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, […]
