File photo of the Port of Montreal. (Guy Banville/iStock/Getty Images)

Canada concerned about supply chain issues, watching ports ‘closely’

Reading Time: < 1 minute Reuters –– Canada is concerned about the challenges facing global supply chains and is watching the country’s ports very closely, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Thursday. Freeland, speaking to reporters in Washington after meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, said she was broadly optimistic about the strength of Canada’s economic recovery […] Read more

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Federal budget plays to mixed reviews from ag groups

Funding for green initiatives, carbon pricing rebate plan hailed

Reading Time: 5 minutes The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) says it is “pleased” the 2021 federal budget included some of the recommendations it had made. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s first budget, released April 19, included significant spending to help producers transition to a greener economy and cited agriculture as a foundational pillar of Canada’s future. “CFA will be […] Read more


Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland appears at a news conference in Ottawa on Sept. 24, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

CFA seeks continued ag support in next federal budget

Federation also presses for Buy Canadian campaign, processing support

Reading Time: 3 minutes Federal budget consultations are underway, with agricultural groups lobbying the government to support the industry further in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Jan. 25 launched pre-budget consultations and since then, her schedule has involved several meetings with stakeholders. “We want to hear ideas from Canadians, from all walks of […] Read more

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland appears at a news conference in Ottawa on Sept. 24, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

More farmers expected to benefit from new CEBA eligibility expansion

Businesses operating via personal accounts to now be eligible

Reading Time: 2 minutes The latest tweak to the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) pandemic aid program is expected to allow farmers who run their business via personal bank accounts to seek CEBA loans. Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Monday that “as early as” Oct. 26, CEBA will be available to businesses which until now have been operating […] Read more


File photo of Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet in Montreal on Oct. 22, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Andrej Ivanov)

Opposition MPs could delay CUSMA deal’s ratification

Reading Time: 2 minutes Ottawa | Reuters — Canada’s two main opposition parties on Wednesday suggested they could move to delay ratification of a new continental trade pact, accusing the Liberal government of botching revisions to the treaty. Such a move would embarrass Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has vowed that Parliament will quickly approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (CUSMA). […] Read more

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer attend a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Mexico City on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Henry Romero)

Canada, U.S., Mexico sign agreement, again, to replace NAFTA

Reading Time: 4 minutes Washington/Mexico City | Reuters — Top officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States signed a fresh overhaul of a quarter-century-old trade pact on Tuesday that aims to improve enforcement of worker rights and hold down prices for biologic drugs by eliminating a patent provision. The signing ceremony in Mexico City launched what may be […] Read more


Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou leaves her family home in Vancouver in this May 8, 2019 file photo. (Photo: Reuters/Lindsey Wasson)

Canada rejects idea of halting Huawei CFO’s extradition

Reading Time: < 1 minute Ottawa | Reuters — Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Thursday dismissed a suggestion that Ottawa block the extradition of a top executive from China’s Huawei Technologies to the United States, saying it would set a dangerous precedent. Huawei’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who was arrested on U.S. fraud charges in Vancouver last December, […] Read more

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Mexico, Canada plow ahead on trade pact ratification despite Trump threats

Reading Time: 2 minutes Mexico City/Ottawa | Reuters — Mexico and Canada said on Friday they would proceed with plans to ratify a new continental trade pact despite a new threat from U.S. President Donald Trump that critics say could undermine chances of the treaty coming into force. Trump, whose administration has made passing the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free […] Read more


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau receives a standing ovation during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on May 29, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Chris Wattie)

Canada moves to ratify USMCA ahead of Pence visit

Reading Time: < 1 minute 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

Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after her arrival at the Stelco steel plant in Hamilton on May 17, 2019, following news that the U.S. agreed to lift tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. (PMO photo by Adam Scotti)

Canada takes first step on ratifying USMCA trade deal

Reading Time: 2 minutes 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