canada-us relations

3:00AM
Printer-friendly version

Yesterday, Prime Minister Harper highlighted his government's plans for dealing with the economic slowdown and presented the crisis as an opportunity for Canada: Ultimately, it is an opportunity to position ourselves so that when the recovery comes, we're among the first to catch the wave.


2:00AM
Printer-friendly version

Canada's top-three economic interests in the new U. S. administration are as follows: First, Canada has a large stake in a more efficient border for trade combined with a more secure border for the movement of people. Currently, commercial costs for crossing the northern border in terms of time losses are estimated at between 2% and 3% of the value of total two-way trade, which was $567-billion or 67% of our trade in 2007.


2:00AM
Printer-friendly version

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper calls his election victory a “change of government, not a change of country.” But it portends a dramatic change of direction in world affairs. “You can’t lead from the bleachers,” he says. “I want Canada to be a leader.” Toward that end, Harper has vowed to set up new military bases along Canada’s northern frontier, deploy a new airborne unit, acquire new long-range lift capabilities, and revitalize Canada’s military by reinvesting in it.


2:00AM
Printer-friendly version

On April 16, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed British Columbia’s first case of Mad Cow or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The cattle and beef industry remains concerned about the U.S. border staying open to younger slaughter animals. The breeding industry, which has not been able to export to the United States since May 2003, fears further delays in a US decision to reopen the border to cattle over 30 months of age.


2:00AM
Printer-friendly version

An unexpected Election Day, shaped by unexpected forces, could yield unexpected results for Canada—and the world.