It’s time to extend pre-clearance facilities at Canada-U.S. border to enhance economic growth
Canada is a trading nation. And while we look to develop other trading partners, we musn’t forget that America remains our main dance partner. But while Canadians clearly support diversifying the markets we do business in, they also know that this country’s fate will forever be tied geographically, economically and culturally to the United States. […]
Americans finally start shaking off Trump-induced slumber
OTTAWA—In what was widely seen as a litmus test of Donald Trump’s appeal a year after the norm-shattering United States presidential election, voters in Virginia overwhelmingly rejected a Republican nominee who attempted to cash in on the racially tinged, sensationalist game plan exploited by the president in 2016. The Virginia election, one of the first […]
Canada must defend supply management
Supply management is vital to the food sovereignty of Quebec and Canada. This system enables our dairy, poultry and egg farmers to strike the best possible balance between the supply of and demand for their products. Supply management therefore prevents waste and provides more stability to producers, who would otherwise be very vulnerable to the […]
Progress seen in bolstering agricultural research funding, though hiring gaps remain: advocates
The Trudeau government has made made strides in increasing publicly-funded agriculture research, though more work is needed to return to the previous high-water marks of the past decades, say advocates. Serge Buy, CEO of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, an advocacy body for agricultural research and innovation, said Canada is well positioned to tap into surging […]
Eastern dealmakers watch feds fumble free trade opportunity
Free trade across America’s northern border is at risk of remaining frozen in the 1990’s as the veneer of hopeful rhetoric fades from the NAFTA negotiating table. That’s bad news in New England and Atlantic Canada where time-tested trading partners would have benefited from the fulfillment of a more modern, inclusive reboot of the deal. […]
Japanese envoy and ‘sake samurai’ talks ties, TPP as his posting ends
There’s no way you’d say Japanese Ambassador Kenjiro Monji is anything but well rounded. He’s a ‘sake samurai,’ a tie collector, delights in showing off his unique business cards (which include a stamp of his face he inks himself), specializes in security and defence, and in the two years that he’s headed his Ottawa embassy, his priorities have […]
NAFTA turmoil an opportunity for Canada to strike on agriculture
As North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations appear to teeter on the brink of failure, now—counter intuitively—is the best time for Canada to make new demands at the bargaining table. Specifically, it is an opportunity for the seemingly ignored agricultural sector. There are two reasons for this. The first is something that has gone […]
“As NAFTA negotiations continue, is it a good idea for the federal government to pursue free trade talks with China? Why or why not?”
Cameron Ahmad Liberal strategist “As the prime minister recently said, it’s difficult to talk about international trade and global opportunities without talking about China. Our government firmly believes in diversifying our trade—so that businesses, entrepreneurs, and middle-class Canadians have more opportunities in a greater range of markets around the world. “Our government recently concluded negotiations […]
Time for Ottawa to cry foul over Nova Scotia cap-and-trade proposal
Believe it or not, but the debate on carbon pricing in Canada has seen significant progress over the last two years. Putting a price on carbon pollution is a surefire way to reduce emissions, and also helps to ensure clean economic growth happens here at home. More than ever, it’s not just the usual suspects […]
‘Like a hand grenade with a loose pin’: Trudeau striking right balance with Trump, say observers
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cautious diplomacy with Donald Trump is the right approach, with nothing to be gained from direct condemnation of the U.S. president’s inflammatory rhetoric, say pollsters and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. As Trump makes increasingly frequent threats against North Korea and attacks the North American Free Trade Agreement with threats to […]
