New Greek ambassador draws on past Canadian diplomatic work to forge future ties
The new Greek ambassador says his open personality, combined with five years of experience at the Greek Consulate in Toronto, will help him succeed in growing a stronger relationship between Canada and Greece. Dimitris Azemopoulos presented his credentials to the governor general on Nov. 10, but it wasn’t his first time in the country. Mr. Azemopoulos […]
Among the top-lobbied issues for 10 straight months, ‘it’s all trade all the time’
Trade talks with the United States and Mexico, China, India, and Trans-Pacific Partnership countries helped make it the top-lobbied issue in November, and cemented its position among the top three lobbied topics over 10 straight months, numbers released last month show. “It’s all trade all the time…That’s priority No. 1 for a lot of organizations,” […]
Fire and Fury, a.k.a. rich old white-guy entitlement run amok
While much of the armchair analysis of the portrait of Donald Trump delivered by Michael Wolff in his new book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, has focused on the mental health of the intemperate president, there’s a nuance to his behaviour that may not be getting enough space. Based on his reporting, Wolff has […]
Trudeau’s trade policy not as altruistic as it seems
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Tis the season to be jolly, so maybe, tis also the season for jolly political analysis. With that in mind, instead of exposing cynical politics, I’m focusing today on all the joyful blessings of Canadian democracy. Yes, we enjoy many blessings, especially, um, sorry, I tried but I just can’t do it; I can’t […]
‘It’s frustrating to be fighting this again’: softwood lumber agreement long way off, say observers
The Canadian forestry industry is getting ready for another long-term softwood lumber dispute, with Susan Yurkovich, president of the British Columbia Lumber Trade Council, saying she does not expect the United States government or the U.S. industry to come back to the table “in the near future.” The high prices of the product mean the […]
For Liberals, it was a year of spinning their wheels
OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have spent another year sort of getting a feel for governing. In many ways, it seems the government is still spinning its wheels at mid-term. That makes 2018 very much a make-or-break stage, as federal parties gear up for an election the following year. And the political landscape is littered […]
Liberals to roll out legislative package with reforms to National Energy Board in early 2018: Carr
Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr says the Liberal government will introduce its long-awaited legislative package overhauling the country’s environmental assessment and regulatory processes—including modernizing the pipeline regulator—in the new year. The announcement comes months after the release of a report from the expert panel struck by the Liberals to examine the National Energy Board (NEB) […]
Mining ombudsman announcement coming; stakeholders eyeing powers, independence of new watchdog
The federal government is on the verge of announcing the creation of an ombudsman for Canada’s extractive sector, and fulfilling a Liberal election promise after years of talks between government officials, extractive sector lobbyists, and human rights advocates. A spokesperson for Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice-Champlain, Que.) confirmed widespread rumours among those close to the […]
Canada and China not ready for a free trade deal
TORONTO—As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau departed for his recent visit to China, government officials in a briefing for journalists made it clear that there were no plans to launch free trade talks during the visit. Canada, the officials said, was still contemplating “the challenges associated with pursuing a free trade deal between the two countries,” […]
China trade deal would be a boon for the Canadian economy
MANILA—Those who cheered last week when it looked like formal talks with China on a trade deal wouldn’t happen are misguided at best and malicious at worst. The future of NAFTA aside, Canada needs to make a deal. It’s true that Canada would be the first G7 country to venture into such an agreement with […]
