ASEAN trade deal ‘will happen, it is very strong,’ says new Thai envoy
Thailand’s new ambassador, Maris Sangiampongsa, says his country’s military-run government will “not stall” ongoing talks toward a possible trade deal between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Canada. In 2015, Mr. Sangiampongsa’s predecessor said the Conservative government in Canada at the time put exploratory country-to-country free trade talks with Thailand on hold as long as the country […]
‘It’s a very dangerous political place to be for the Conservative Party,’ Ambrose warns Tories not to attack Liberals on NAFTA
OTTAWA—Former interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose is warning the federal Tories to watch their attacks on the Liberals over the crucial NAFTA renegotiations because it could make them look “anti-Canada” which is not a big “vote-getter.” “It’s a very dangerous political place to be for the Conservative Party of Canada to attack the Liberal government, […]
Let’s clear up some myths about China’s Belt and Road initiative
In the five years since China proposed the Belt and Road initiative, it has been transformed from concept to action, and from vision to reality, yielding fruitful outcomes and bringing substantial benefits to many countries. However, the initiative is also misunderstood. Some people say it is a tool China employs for geographical and strategic expansion, […]
“The Supreme Court recently ruled provinces and territories have the right to restrict the import of goods across their borders. What do you think? Should the federal government weigh in?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “We thank the Supreme Court of Canada for its decision on the Comeau case, and we will be studying the decision closely in the coming days in order to properly assess all of its implications. “Our government is committed to breaking down barriers to trade within Canada, while respecting the jurisdiction […]
With fed-prov tension rising, court deals provinces another high card
OTTAWA—The fault lines in Canada’s federal-provincial arrangement never disappear; they just lie dormant from time to time. With the system already under renewed pressure from the Trans Mountain pipeline dispute between Alberta and British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada came down with its long-awaited decision in the so-called “free the beer” case, an epithet […]
Trade tops March lobbying, with Mercosur, NAFTA, CPTPP talks all in play
For the eighth month in a row, trade was the top-lobbied issue in March, a month that included the creation of an investment agency to draw in foreign capital, signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the launch of Mercosur talks with the South American trade bloc. March’s 1,740 lobbyist communications with […]
Young Liberals look to improve influence on party’s progressive policies as numbers grow
HALIFAX—Outgoing Liberal Youth Party president Mira Ahmad and those running to replace her say the youth wing of the party has increased its share of influence on the Liberal Party under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as youth delegates push for a bold resolution for decriminalizing sex work at this weekend’s convention. “The party does take […]
Russia rightly on G7 foreign ministers’ agenda this weekend in Toronto
Patience with Russia for many Western states is running out. This mood may have repercussions at the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting being held on April 22 to 23 in Toronto, ahead of the G7 summit to be held in Charlevoix, Que., in June. Although the agenda of the Charlevoix summit was originally designed to stress […]
New Cuban ambassador helped negotiate U.S.-Cuba détente
Cuba has sent a top diplomat with 25 years of experience in North American relations, and who helped negotiate the 2014 U.S.-Cuba détente, to lead its embassy in Canada, just as a new president is about to take over the island state from outside the Castro family for the first time in more than four […]
Progressive trade agenda cuts both ways
The Liberals have hung their trade hat on the idea that they will only sign deals that are “progressive.” Aside from the traditional tariff-easing measures of run-of-the-mill trade deals, the Liberals have tried to carve out a new kind of deal. Their plan is tailor-made to please both right-wing and left-wing supporters. Right-wing supporters get […]
