The truth about China-U.S. trade consultations
China recently released its position on the China-U.S. economic and trade consultations. The white paper elaborates on China’s perspectives on the impact of the trade frictions between the two countries, noting several occasions of U.S. backtracking, and the principles that China abides by in consultations, responding to the international community’s attention to major issues in […]
Liberal backers want to implement new NAFTA now, but Conservative supporters want to wait until after looming election, poll suggests
Canadians are split over when to implement the renegotiated NAFTA, a new poll suggests. A Forum Research poll suggested that 51 per cent of Canadians think the new NAFTA—formally called the USMCA or CUSMA in Canada—should be implemented now, while 49 per cent say the implementation should wait until after the upcoming federal election. Support […]
Grief is not an easy path, but it doesn’t have to be walked alone
OTTAWA—When I was a teenager, my 80-year-old grandfather told me “the hardest part about growing old is burying your friends.” The most striking loss he faced was the death of a friend who had been an Olympic gold medal winner, whom he thought would outlive him. But I came to believe I would not have […]
Departing Chinese ambassador on career ‘fast-track,’ rhetoric worsened relations, say former diplomats
Lu Shaye’s short stint in Canada suggests the politically connected outgoing Chinese ambassador is on a career fast-track, according to former Canadian diplomats who say Mr. Lu’s departure could be a positive shift in the chilly status quo. But not everyone thinks a vacancy at the Chinese Embassy means it’s a chance to hit the […]
“The renegotiated NAFTA deal still needs to be ratified by Parliament. Is there time left to get it done?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “In 2015, Canadians told us they wanted real change. Inherent to this was the understanding that we would take a proactive approach to the economy, and create new opportunities for Canadians at home and abroad. When Canada, the United States, and Mexico signed the new NAFTA agreement this past November, we […]
Increase focus on cultural diplomacy, Senate committee says
Global Affairs Canada should take the lead in improving Canada’s cultural profile in a bid to enhance the country’s soft power, according to a report released Tuesday from the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. The committee released a report, titled “Cultural Diplomacy at the Front Stage of Canada’s Foreign Policy,” which calls on the government to […]
Liberals prepared to sit on trade bill, recall Parliament in summer if needed; some Senators warn Bill C-100 shouldn’t be rushed in Upper Chamber
The government is prepared to sit on its bill to implement Canada’s trade agreement with the United States and Mexico until those countries are ready to ratify the deal, even if it means letting it stay in the House after Parliament rises for the summer, and recalling federal lawmakers before Parliament is dissolved for the […]
Canadian pharmacy shelves could run out of crucial medicines due to U.S. laws
U.S. lawmakers in 16 states have introduced bills to facilitate wholesale importation of pharmaceutical products from Canada. Vermont actually has a law on the books and the Florida and Colorado governors have signed legislation. The intention is to make lower-priced medicines available to Americans. New state laws allowing importation would only require the approval of the federal Secretary […]
We can, and must, act to stop climate change in its tracks
Today we think the coffee we enjoy every morning is a given. But is the supply of clean water and coffee beans inexhaustible and readily available in the decades to come? Many take it for granted that it will. Unfortunately, facts say otherwise. A recent UN report on the state of our natural world shows […]
Canada’s effort to reduce plastics pollution have been found wanting
Recently, Canada has been getting some bad press. Since 2013, the Philippines has been asking Canada to take back some 69 shipping containers filled with garbage, erroneously labelled as recyclable material. Fed up with the Canadian federal government’s inertia, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte finally threatened to “declare war” on Canada if we continue to let […]
