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, […]
Collaborate and listen: Bloc Québécois hopes to leverage minority Parliament dynamics to make mark
The 2019 election saw the Bloc Québécois’ caucus increase three-fold, elevating it to third-party standing and recognized status in the House, and the team is looking to “leverage” its new circumstances to make a mark in this Parliament, according to the deputy House leader. “The fact that it’s a minority Parliament, we have more leverage […]
Trade Committee Conservatives push for six additional House committees to study new NAFTA implementation bill
Conservatives on the House International Trade Committee are pushing for six other House committees to study the implementation bill for the new NAFTA and to submit amendments by early April. Conservative MP Colin Carrie (Oshawa, Ont.) forwarded a motion on Feb. 5 to have the House Committees of Agriculture and Agri-Food; Industry, Science and Technology; […]
Can innovation save our automotive industry?
Since 2015, the Trudeau Liberals have touted “innovation” as the way forward for Canadian industries. Many, from manufacturing, to services, and natural resources, are showing impressive results by embracing innovation. But it is not clear that the Trudeau government’s policies, like the Innovation Superclusters Initiative, are really making a difference on the ground. When we […]
How Conservative Party of Canada can recover its soul: look to the past
OTTAWA—Since Oct. 21 questions have been flying about the Conservative Party of Canada—what does it stand for, what will be its policies, and, most importantly, will it be relevant to the hopes and dreams of Canadians in the 21st century? These are questions best left to the new leader of the party as she or […]
Conservatives not prepared to ‘buy a pig in the poke,’ want to see economic impact report for new NAFTA
Conservative members of a House of Commons committee want to see the economic impact assessment of the new NAFTA before their study of the bill to implement the updated pact ends, while government officials say the report should be finished in the “near future.” In response to a question from Conservative MP Ed Fast (Abbotsford, […]
Taiwan president’s re-election could signal diplomatic shift in China: analysts
The re-election of Taiwan’s president over her pro-Beijing rival has some China analysts concerned it could cause the superpower to shift gears with the self-ruled island, while Canada’s own diplomatic troubles with China prompt questions about Canada’s approach in the region. With Tsai Ing-wen entering her second term with 57 per cent support in the […]
When it comes to climate policies, Conservative leadership contenders need to move beyond criticism
OTTAWA—It was disappointing, but not surprising, that the leading candidates for the leadership of the Conservative Party came out with the predictable language about tearing up “Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax.” Both Peter MacKay and Erin O’Toole were quick to make this point. Clearly, they are taking the view that in order to win the current […]
While Canada holds course on the trade front, the U.K. sheds a half-century of history for the unknown
OTTAWA—It can’t go unremarked that the United Kingdom ended 47 years of liberalized trade ties to Europe two days after the Canadian Parliament began debating ratification of a new and revised free-trade agreement with the United States. U.K. citizens have cast themselves off into an unknown future that could mean many years of economic decline, […]
Opposition MPs will do ‘due diligence’ on new NAFTA bill as Liberals urge quick passage
Opposition MPs say they will do their “due diligence” on the new Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement implementation bill, while the Liberals are encouraging Parliamentarians to pass the legislation “swiftly” and “without undue delay.” Mexico and the United States have already passed implementing legislation for the agreement. When Canada does so, it will trigger the beginning of […]
