House may need to sit in summer to pass new NAFTA deal, says Trade Committee chair
With U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum now lifted, MPs say the door is open for Washington to make the first move to ratify the renegotiated North American trade pact. And while the ratification process in Canada could be complicated by Parliament’s scheduled summer break next month, the House Trade Committee chair says the […]
Time is ticking for MPs, Senators to pass human rights bills
There is an enormous amount of consequential human rights legislation approaching the parliamentary finish line. The time to get it across shrinks daily. Only four sitting weeks remain in this session of Parliament for MPs, five for Senators. Rather than return to Parliament in the fall, MPs will be out hustling for votes. That means […]
Brexit, the EU election, and nostalgia for Obama’s don’t-do-stupid-stuff motto
While it may not be the most sensational story about what exiting presidents have left the White House with, Barack Obama sauntering out with the *needlepoint Oval Office throw pillow that bore the motto “Don’t do Stupid Shit” under his arm may be the most consequential. (Note to readers: While Hill Times style generously allows me to […]
Nuclear disarmament talks like Groundhog Day, but more tragedy than comedy
NEW YORK—When I sat through the speeches at the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) meeting at the United Nations earlier this month, I felt I was watching, again, the Groundhog Day movie—you know, the one where the weather forecaster is doomed to repeatedly relive the same day. The film was so popular, the term “Groundhog Day” is […]
Amid U.S.-Iran brinksmanship, Canadian troops ought to leave Iraq
gOTTAWA—Almost unmentioned in Canadian mainstream media is the steadily escalating tension between the United States and Iran. In recent days, the Pentagon has deployed an additional aircraft carrier battle group and strategic air assets to the Persian Gulf region, citing an increased, albeit undefined, threat from Iran. The Americans have also taken the unusual step […]
Trade Committee MPs tell U.S. lawmakers clock is ticking to ratify new NAFTA
Canada has reached a deal with the U.S. to lift the steel and aluminum tariffs that have been a sticking point for ratifying the new NAFTA. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Friday that the two countries have agreed to eliminate the tariffs “no later than two days” from this announcement. In […]
Former Swedish Speaker switches gears to become ambassador
Working as Speaker of the Swedish Parliament from 2014 to 2018 helped prepare Urban Ahlin for his new career in diplomacy, and his first posting as the country’s new ambassador to Canada. “It was interesting—it was really being a diplomat,” he said with a smile, especially juggling the interests of eight different political parties and […]
Canada should weigh in on the crisis in Central America
OTTAWA—The history of United States’ intervention in Central America is a long, bloody, and depressing story. How many tens of thousands of civilians—mostly peasants—were tortured and killed by U.S. soldiers and their proxies and the right-wing dictatorships Washington has backed for a century in the region is unknowable. But the record of atrocities and suffering […]
Despite opposition pressure, lack of ambassador to China likely hasn’t made much difference, say ex-diplomats
Canada’s conflict with China has been so bad that being without a Canadian ambassador since late January likely hasn’t had much impact, say former diplomats, despite opposition MPs hounding the Liberals about the appointment. While it’s always better to have a high-ranking and high-profile diplomat in place, under the present circumstances, “it’s not urgent,” said […]
Stop the chest-thumping over China
The Japanese know a thing or two about dealing with China. A long and checkered history between the two neighbours has made it so. A prominent Japanese politician once explained to me that China’s authoritarian government exists to maintain order and unity in a country of highly competitive individualists. Its domestic habits of control spill […]
