Winnipeg/Ottawa | Reuters — A lockout of longshore workers at Canada’s biggest port, the Port of Vancouver, ended in a deal on Thursday after a few hours, averting a potentially massive shipping disruption, the workers’ union and employers association said. The lockout was immediately lifted and the union also withdrew its strike notice, according to […] Read more
Update: Vancouver lockout of longshoremen ends
Canada moves to ratify USMCA ahead of Pence visit
Ottawa | Reuters — The Canadian government formally presented draft legislation to ratify the new North American Trade deal to parliament on Wednesday, less than 24 hours ahead of a visit by U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presented the bill to the House of Commons, confirming a Reuters story from Tuesday that […] Read more
Canada takes first step on ratifying USMCA trade deal
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada took a first step toward ratifying the new North American trade agreement on Monday just three days ahead of U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence’s trip to Ottawa to discuss the passage of the treaty. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland presented what’s known as a ways and means motion to the House of […] Read more
Opinion: Swine fever brings trade adversaries together
Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics
At a time of frosty diplomatic relations and continued trade disputes, the world’s top animal health experts, industry and governments are banding together to fight a deadly hog virus. More than 150 officials from about 15 countries descended on Ottawa recently for a global forum on African swine fever. Their goal: to share information, learn […] Read more
Opinion: Hurdles remain for North American trade agreement
Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics
The chance of the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) being ratified before the next Canadian federal election has likely slumped after a new American commission report found the deal would have a moderate impact on the American economy. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) released its highly anticipated analysis of the pending trade agreement in mid […] Read more
Opinion: Farmers caught in the middle
Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics
From a young age, children are taught that words matter. They are repeatedly told that they should “use their words” and that the best stories are ones told in a language their audience (meaning their parents, teachers, siblings, classmates) can understand. These same communication rules apply to the agriculture industry. For years, the sector has […] Read more
Opinion: Agriculture now part of grand global political game
Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics
The news came in a single news release, quietly sent out the afternoon of March 21. Despite ongoing conversations, the Canola Council of Canada had been informed Chinese importers were no longer interested in purchasing Canadian canola seed. Technical conversations, the release said, had not shown an “immediate resolution was possible.” At this time, Canola […] Read more
Opinion: Federal government struggles to deal with trade irritants
Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics
The Trudeau government has a trade problem down on the farm. The Chinese government recently announced it had embargoed canola exports from one of this country’s largest grain exporters: Richardson International Ltd. The Richardson embargo comes at a time of increased diplomatic tensions between Canada and China. Beijing says the move is required because a […] Read more
Opinion: Beyond the bubble of Ottawa
Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics
For the last couple of years, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has hit the road in January to talk to Canadians. Town halls are scheduled at local arenas, gymnasiums or university campuses in communities across the country. Notices are put out. Anyone can come. It’s first come, first served. People can ask anything they want. Based […] Read more
Opinion: Senate report calls for agriculture carbon off-set credits
Capital Letters with Kelsey Johnson of iPolitics
The Senate forestry and agriculture committee says the federal government should develop a series of carbon offset credits for the Canadian agriculture industry as well as exempt all on-farm heating and cooling fuels from federal carbon pricing. Those are only two of several recommendations included in the committee’s highly anticipated report on climate change, released […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
