Trudeau’s problem is he can’t cut a deal
OTTAWA—Right now, Justin Trudeau has a deal problem. Specifically, the prime minister hasn’t really closed a significant major trade or pipeline project of his making thus far in his mandate. Even his climate change plan is in potential jeopardy as new provincial actors appear on the scene bearing down for a big racket with the […]
Argentine envoy ‘confident’ Canada-Mercosur deal will wrap quickly
The second round of trade negotiations between Canada and Mercosur countries will be held in June in Brazil, says the new Argentine ambassador, adding that despite a few areas of concern, the four-country South American bloc is positive the deal will be completed no later than early next year. Sitting at his embassy located on […]
Three years in, Liberals still lack coherent infrastructure plan
During the 2015 federal election, Justin Trudeau promised Canadians that he would run modest deficits of less than $10-billion to fund “historic” investments in infrastructure. Now, nearly three years later, with the Liberals at the helm of our national pocketbook, those so-called modest deficits have spiralled out of control—nearly triple the amount promised in the […]
‘For me, it’s personal’: Minister Sohi reflects on passion for infrastructure portfolio
Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi doesn’t mince words when discussing the role infrastructure played in his ‘Made in Canada’ success story. An immigrant from India, Mr. Sohi (Edmonton Mill Woods, Alta.) spoke little to no English when he arrived in Edmonton in the early 1980s, after being sponsored by an older brother. After moving to the […]
Infrastructure improvements could increase annual GDP of northern territories by $4.7-billion: report
Upgrading trade-enabling infrastructure in Canada’s northern territories could add billions each year to the national economy, says a new report from the University of Calgary. Goods and services in the North are costlier than elsewhere in Canada, largely owing to logistical and geographic barriers limiting access to communities in the south. In the report “Gains from Trade for Canada’s […]
Infrastructure
Pakistan celebrates national day in Ottawa as MPs, Senators prepare to see country for themselves
Close to 300 diplomats and senior officials came to celebrate Pakistan’s national day celebration at the Chateau Laurier, just before a group of MPs and Senators set out for Pakistan to foster closer ties. On March 28, Pakistan’s High Commissioner Tariq Azim Khan said that a seven-member cross-party delegation of Parliamentarians would be visiting Pakistan […]
Australia’s new top envoy says her ‘focus is firmly on the future’ of CPTPP
Australia’s new high commissioner says officials from her country signalling they would block Canada’s admission to Asia’s top security forum, the East Asia Summit, had nothing to do with tensions that bubbled up when Canada was a no-show at a key Trans-Pacific Partnership trade-deal meeting last November. News outlets from Australia and New Zealand at […]
PSPC launches new ‘ambassador’ program to help employees navigate Phoenix fixes
Nearly 250 public servants within Public Services and Procurement Canada are volunteering to help their colleagues find fixes for Phoenix-related pay problems. “Across government, departments are putting in place measures to support employees facing pay issues,” PSPC spokesperson Pierre-Alain Bujold said in an emailed statement. “This grassroots initiative, made up of PSPC employees, will help […]
China to MPs: don’t blame us for dumping steel, we’re victims too
The Chinese Embassy in Canada has dismissed some MPs’ comments about China dumping steel on North American markets as a “so-called” issue, saying it is also a victim of trade protectionism and is unfairly seen as a “bad offender.” The embassy released a statement on the issue a couple days after The Hill Times published […]
