Oh, the irony! With their withdrawal from the TPP, and after doing all the hard work, the Americans are handing us their market share under TPP 11
That Western Canada has not been well served by the country’s trade agenda under the previous and current governments is not just a criticism of Ottawa; it’s a damming critique of how little westerners seem to care or how ineffective they’ve been in shaping national trade priorities. What we in the West have done to…
A clear road map to make our dairy sector more competitive is urgently needed as it faces more European imports
HALIFAX, N.S., April 10, 2017 /Troy Media/ – Canada's cheese processing sector faces some dramatic changes. We’ll soon find out who gets to import tasty, inexpensive European cheese under the newly-ratified Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union. There’s some debate about how farmers and cheesemakers should be compensated under CETA. But what should matter most…
As Canada integrates more and more into the global economy, it will matter to us less and less that the United States withdraws
VANCOUVER, B.C. Dec. 5, 2016/ Troy Media/ - One of the reasons the new president-elect in the United States is generating so much nervousness around the globe is the fear that he is not connected to the realities of how the global economic system works. For example, there is no such thing as a truly…
The bad news is that the long roller-coaster ride over the trade deal with Europe isn't over – ratification may still hold some surprises
FREDERICTON, N.B. Nov. 3, 2016/ Troy Media/ – The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the right deal for Canada's economy now – and it's essential for the nation's future prosperity. The near-death experience of CETA, the trade deal between Canada and the European Union (EU), exposed the economic frailties of negotiating multi-boundary free-trade deals.…
The influx of quality, affordable dairy products will force Canada’s dairy industry to redefine itself within a more competitive landscape
HALIFAX, N.S. Oct. 28, 2016/ Troy Media/ – After meltdowns and temper tantrums, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) may finally be ratified. It's nothing short of a miracle and will bring about dramatic change in Canada. The path to a Canada-European Union trade deal has faced several roadblocks in recent months. CETA was initially about growth…
Opposition to the trade deal with Canada is growing because of the controversial foreign investor protection system it contains
NORTH YORK, Ont. Oct. 26, 2016/ Troy Media/ – Europeans have great affection for Canadians. Yet millions of Europeans oppose the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and Europe. Why? Some commentators suggest it's because of pettiness or internal squabbling in Belgium. Those claims are wrong. The real reason is that many people in…
In an increasingly protectionist world, finding trade partners for agricultural products is difficult, although the benefit can be huge
HALIFAX, N.S. Oct. 24, 2016/ Troy Media/ – Canada's new Liberal government is learning the hard way that in multilateral trade agreements, agriculture and food always create a recipe for contentious debates. Farmers in Belgium have stalled the European Union’s ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) by voting against it. Many other factions within…
A collection of labour organizations, environmentalists and other groups oppose CETA by ignoring the economic benefits
VANCOUVER, B.C. Sept. 19, 2016/ Troy Media/ – Riots against Canada – in Germany? Canadians like to think we are an example of how a country should be: peaceful, prosperous, democratic, clean and mainly green. We state proudly that the world needs more Canada, especially when compared to nations like Zimbabwe, Syria, Nigeria and other failed states facing tyranny, war,…
If CETA is ratified any time soon, and that is becoming more doubtful every day, agricultural issues will likely be left out
HALIFAX, N.S. June 30, 2016/ Troy Media/ – The Brexit vote has left Europe in a mess – and dealt a serious blow to Canada's trade prospects. The British pound is dropping, world markets are scrambling and most are wondering how the political establishment will address what appears to be a constitutional vacuum related to…
Britain's withdrawal from Europe may hurt Canada’s access to the much-larger European markets
VANCOUVER, B.C. June 29, 2016/ Troy Media/ - Brexit is a game changer but how can one country’s decision to leave an economic union affect that nation, its former partners and the world, including Canada? Any real changes in trade conditions, labour mobility, etc., will take at least two years to define, negotiate and implement.…
That Western Canada has not been well served by the country’s trade agenda under the previous and current governments is not just a criticism of Ottawa; it’s a damming critique of how little westerners seem to care or how ineffective they’ve been in shaping national trade priorities. What we in the West have done to…