Canada is beginning to experience gaps between what global commerce requires for success and what the country’s workforce can supply, according to the study International Trade Workforce Strategy – Report of the FITT Human Resources International Trade Sector Study spearheaded by FITT. One gap is a shortfall of the number of people in many occupations [...]
Canada is beginning to experience gaps between what global commerce requires for success and what the country’s workforce can supply, according to the study International Trade Workforce Strategy – Report of the FITT Human Resources International Trade Sector Study spearheaded by FITT. One gap is a shortfall of the number of people in many occupations that are core to international trade. The other is a gap between the demand for, and availability of, new competencies that are critical to successful global trade.
The report, supported by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and created in collaboration with Mercer, a global leader in HR consulting, also recommends specific actions for Canadian business leaders, the educational community, and government policymakers to take to close these gaps.
Click here to read about the concrete actions that businesses, government organizations and educational institutions can take to fill Canada’s workforce gaps and ensure the country remains trade ready.
First annual progress reports issued on the Beyond the Border and Regulatory Cooperation Council Action Plans Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Barack Obama, President of the United States, today welcomed the release of the first annual Beyond the Border Action Plan Implementation Report and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) Joint Action Plan Progress [...]
First annual progress reports issued on the Beyond the Border and Regulatory Cooperation Council Action Plans
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Barack Obama, President of the United States, today welcomed the release of the first annual Beyond the Border Action Plan Implementation Report and the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) Joint Action Plan Progress Report, which demonstrate progress made by Canada and the United States on perimeter security and economic competitiveness.
“Today’s reports demonstrate real and substantive progress on improving the management of our shared border and improving regulatory cooperation, both of which will improve the flow of people and goods between our countries,” said the Prime Minister. “The Beyond the Border and the Regulatory Cooperation Council Action Plans are laying the foundation for more jobs and growth in Canada and the United States by making it easier for firms in both countries to do business.”
The Beyond the Border and RCC Action Plans, announced by both leaders on December 7, 2011, set out ambitious milestones designed to advance economic opportunity, improve regulatory cooperation and enhance security between our two countries. Since then, significant progress has been made, including modernizing our joint border management, the development of the first joint Border Infrastructure Investment Plan, the release of a joint Cybersecurity Action Plan, improvements to the NEXUS trusted traveller program, mutual recognition of our air cargo security programs, and the development of joint standards and greater alignment of regulatory systems.
As the action plans continue to be implemented, the Government of Canada will keep Canadians informed of progress, including through the issuing of progress reports.
Both reports are available here.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty yesterday launched consultations to examine Canada’s foreign trade zone (FTZ)-like policies and programs, further to the commitment outlined in Budget 2011, the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. “We need to ensure that these policies and programs are internationally competitive, effectively marketed and administratively efficient,” said Flaherty. “We look forward [...]
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty yesterday launched consultations to examine Canada’s foreign trade zone (FTZ)-like policies and programs, further to the commitment outlined in Budget 2011, the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“We need to ensure that these policies and programs are internationally competitive, effectively marketed and administratively efficient,” said Flaherty. “We look forward to receiving input from stakeholders. Our goal is to have policies and programs that continue to attract investment and provide the greatest economic benefit for Canadians.”
Canada’s tax and tariff policies and national FTZ-like programs provide benefits comparable to those offered by site-specific FTZs in other countries. In recent years, the Government has taken important steps to enhance these tax and tariff advantages, notably by working to make Canada a tariff-free zone for manufacturers and contributing to a single-window pilot project for federal, provincial and municipal services at Winnipeg’s CentrePort Canada.
Stakeholders wishing to provide input are invited to submit their comments by e-mail to Tariff-Tarif@fin.gc.ca . The closing date for comments is February 17, 2012.
Backgrounder: Foreign Trade Zone-Like Policies and Programs
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a comprehensive free trade agreement under negotiation to liberalize trade in the Asia-Pacific region. Nine countries are currently participating in the negotiations: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States. At last November’s APEC summit in Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and Japan also announced their [...]
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a comprehensive free trade agreement under negotiation to liberalize trade in the Asia-Pacific region. Nine countries are currently participating in the negotiations: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the United States. At last November’s APEC summit in Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and Japan also announced their intentions to begin consultations to join the TPP. Including the participation of all countries potentially involved in this new trade pact, the TPP would represent a market of more than 775 million people and a combined GDP of $25 trillion — a market significantly larger than the European Union (i.e., 493 million people with a GDP of $16 trillion).
With this in mind, at the beginning of the year, the Canadian Government embarked on a public consultation process to allow all interested stakeholders an early opportunity to provide comments, input and advice on possible free trade negotiations with TPP countries.
As outlined in Canada Gazette Vol. 145, No. 53, the government is presently asking Canadian stakeholders for advice and views on any priorities, objectives and concerns with respect to the following:
1. Opinions on areas of goods export interest (identified by Harmonized System [HS]/Tariff codes, if possible), including products that would benefit from the early removal of tariffs and other barriers by TPP countries.
2. Views on market access liberalization for TPP countries products (identified by HS/Tariff codes, if possible) into the Canadian market, including input on those products for which the elimination of tariffs should be expedited or phased-in over time.
3. Advice and views on trade in services, particularly the identification of sectors/activities of export interest for Canadian service providers, and opinions on domestic regulatory measures that restrict or otherwise affect market access for Canadian service providers.
4. Advice, views and experiences regarding the temporary entry of business persons from Canada into TPP countries and into Canada from TPP countries (e.g. impediments to entering or working in TPP countries on a temporary basis, including licensing or certification requirements at the border).
5. Advice, views and experiences regarding measures affecting exports destined for TPP countries, including non-tariff barriers (such as import licensing), technical barriers to trade (including technical regulations, standards and/or conformity assessment procedures) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
6. Views on general rules of origin and/or advice on appropriate rules of origin for specific products or sectors.
7. Advice on “trade facilitation” issues (e.g. significant impediments related to import procedures).
8. Advice, views and experiences with customs procedures and with commercial goods entering and/or leaving TPP countries.
9. Advice, views and experiences regarding investment barriers faced by Canadian investors in TPP countries, including restrictions imposed on foreign ownership or entry to market, questions of transparency of regulation, performance requirements (i.e. local content requirements, use of local labour and services), and any other impediments/barriers.
10. Advice and views on government procurement markets of interest to Canadian suppliers and exporters to TPP countries, including the government departments, agencies or enterprises of interest and the goods, services or construction services that Canadian suppliers are interested in selling to those government organizations. Note that participation in government procurement may include bidding as the prime contractor or exporting goods and/or services to the prime contractor who in turn bids on government contracts.
11. Advice, views and experiences regarding barriers (e.g. availability and transparency of information, domestic preferences) when selling or attempting to sell to governments of TPP countries.
12. Views and experiences with the protection of intellectual property rights.
13. Advice and views on competition policy matters, including development of possible cooperation mechanisms.
14. Views on capacity-building measures that could assist developing countries in achieving the objectives of the agreement.
15. Views on ways to reflect the interests and values of Canadians in the area of sustainable development, environmental protection and conservation.
16. Views on ways to reflect the interests and values of Canadians in the areas of workers’ rights, human rights, transparency in business and commercial practices and other social concerns, as they relate to TPP countries.
17. Views on other related issues not mentioned above.
All interested parties are invited to submit their views by February 14, 2012.
Submissions can be sent by email to consultations@international.gc.ca, by fax to 613-944-3489 or by mail to:
Trade Negotiations Consultations (TPP)
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada,
Trade Policy and Negotiations Division II (TPW)
Lester B. Pearson Building,
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2
Note: Any information submitted will be considered as public information, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
David Jacobson, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada sat down recently with TVO’s Steve Paikin to discuss his role as Ambassador and the new border agreement between Canada and the United States. Source: Television Ontario
David Jacobson, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada sat down recently with TVO’s Steve Paikin to discuss his role as Ambassador and the new border agreement between Canada and the United States.
Source: Television Ontario
Jason Myers, President and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters When Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama announced their shared vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness in February, many people immediately wrote off the exercise as another in a long line of attempts to “fix” border irritants between our countries. This was [...]
Jason Myers, President and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
When Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama announced their shared vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness in February, many people immediately wrote off the exercise as another in a long line of attempts to “fix” border irritants between our countries.
This was the fifth similar effort in the past dozen years, starting with the shared border declarations in the late 1990s, the 32-point action plan in 2001, the Security and Prosperity Partnership of 2005 and the North American Competitiveness Council of 2007. To be blunt, these efforts produced some results, but didn’t succeed in solving the real challenges businesses on both sides of the border face in their day-to-day operations.
The costs of bad regulatory and antiquated border policies are too significant to ignore. They cost Canada five per cent of GDP every year – that’s more than $50 billion out of the pockets of consumers. Furthermore, they reduce corporate investment in employees, productive capacity, and innovation.
Why are the costs so extreme? Canadian and US manufacturers don’t simply trade with each other; we build things together. Cars, food products, telecommunications equipment, steel and metal products, are just some of the goods that Canadian and Americans manufacture together and use to compete together in global markets.
That’s the good news.
These component parts however cross our border multiple times before a finished product is ready for retail.
While integration has increased substantially since the signing of 1988 FTA, the regulatory system has not kept up with the business realities. Product regulations and border processes today are often rooted in an economic reality from 50 years ago. Despite integrated manufacturing, many products cannot be designed, tested and built for sale in both countries all as a result of slight differences in regulatory standards.
That’s the bad news.
Over the past decade, Ottawa and Washington have demanded more information about every component of products crossing our border, a demand that is often multiple, repetitive and costly. At the same time, foreign produced goods – our competition both in this marketplace and globally – face no such hurdles. Goods are typically manufactured within a single jurisdiction where finished products are imported into Canada or the US with a single customs compliance and security process, dramatically reducing costs for production and ultimately, the price for consumers.
On February 4, the leaders set out a very ambitious, yet straightforward objective – improve “perimeter” security against third-country threats while accelerating the legitimate flow of people, goods and services between our two countries. Improvements were to be measured through real, bottom-line results for companies and less congestion at our border.
Throughout this process, and based on the feedback from our member companies, we have worked in both capitals to define what we believe is the way forward.
Agility and time are the currency of today’s new normal, and businesses need regulations that allow companies to invest and grow, not whither and die.
We don’t need smart regulation – we need common-sense harmonization that includes a single electronic window to report necessary information; a system where business travellers cross our border with minimum hassle and a system where border agencies put the word “trust” back into trusted trader programs.
Past efforts on our border have simply not been enough. The challenges our members face in continental North America are now greater than ever. Free trade agreements will bring even more competition for our products.
Our members can compete on product quality and reliability, but we cannot compete when archaic rules and misinformed border policies are a competitive disadvantage and stifle the successes of our integration.
It’s time we manufactured our future together. It’s time we move forward and bring the Canada-US partnership into the 21st century. Jobs on both sides of the 49th parallel depend on it. The clock is ticking.
Jayson Myers is the president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters – the country’s largest industry and trade association.
Canada’s new border deal with the United States could lead to fewer missed connections at the airport, more American law-enforcement officials working on Canadian soil, harmonized U.S. standards for prescription drugs, new names for cuts of meat and fewer inspections of food cargo as both governments strive to ensure better information sharing and less red [...]
Canada’s new border deal with the United States could lead to fewer missed connections at the airport, more American law-enforcement officials working on Canadian soil, harmonized U.S. standards for prescription drugs, new names for cuts of meat and fewer inspections of food cargo as both governments strive to ensure better information sharing and less red tape for companies trying to get their goods and people across the largest land border in the world.
The wide-ranging Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan was described by Prime Minister Stephen Harper Wednesday as the most significant step forward in Canada-U.S. co-operation since the North American Free Trade Agreement.
For cargo from overseas, the U.S and Canadian governments hope to de-clutter the border by screening goods only once — when they first arrive.
Two pilot projects in Prince Rupert and Montreal will be launched in 2012. Shipments coming from overseas will only be screened on arrival and won’t be inspected on subsequent border crossings unless absolutely necessary. If the pilot projects work, single screening will become the new norm.
For businesses, other pilot projects are being developed, such as a pre-inspection of cargo carried on trains, which will begin in September. Another year-long project will involve issuing advance clearance for trucks carrying fresh meat.
The governments will also move to eliminate red tape. For example, an American firm wanting to import fridges currently has to file paperwork with nine government departments, in the future all those applications will be filed through one website.
The trade compliance implications of the new border deal for importers and exporters will doubtless be many and varied as aspects of the sweeping initiative are progressively implemented in future. A number of key features of the 29-point deal — including an accord on regulatory reform — are estimated to still be three to four years away from practical realization.
Related Information:
• Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan
• Fact sheet from the White House
Beyond the Border initiative mired by complexities in both countries In a paper released yesterday by The School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, policy advisor and international lawyer Brian Flemming examines Canada-U.S. efforts to create a more porous border between the two countries. He finds that despite the best of intentions on [...]
Beyond the Border initiative mired by complexities in both countries
In a paper released yesterday by The School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, policy advisor and international lawyer Brian Flemming examines Canada-U.S. efforts to create a more porous border between the two countries. He finds that despite the best of intentions on both sides, real change will prove difficult to achieve.
Flemming examines the many border issues that the Beyond the Border agreement – signed in February 2011 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama – is intended to address. These include an integrated Canada-U.S. entry-exit system, harmonization of regulations on Canadian or American products, the protection of citizens’ privacy, and border installations.
While these issues are considered important by political leaders, there are other factors at play. “Overarching all issues and all packages in the Beyond the Border negotiation will be the twin hydras of trust and timing,” Flemming writes.
Citizens of both countries must trust that politicians are serving national interests with any international agreements. Flemming argues that “Trust in the abilities of politicians to solve problems of any kind is at an all-time low in both Canada and the United States.” As an example, the author refers to the current debt problem in the U.S. and the public’s perception that Congress has failed them.
As for timing, President Obama is unlikely to make striking trade and security deals a priority given the run up to the 2012 election, with voters most concerned about his action on the U.S. economy.
Flemming also argues that the results of the U.S. election could make progress on border issues even tougher. “If too many members of Congress with erroneous opinions get elected, no agreements of any kind may be possible,” he writes.
The paper can be downloaded here.
(John Ibbitson — The Globe and Mail) U.S. and Canadian negotiators have successfully concluded talks on a new deal to integrate continental security and erase obstacles to cross-border trade. Negotiators have reached agreement on almost all of the three dozen separate initiatives in the Beyond the Border action plan, said sources who cannot be named [...]
(John Ibbitson — The Globe and Mail)
U.S. and Canadian negotiators have successfully concluded talks on a new deal to integrate continental security and erase obstacles to cross-border trade.
Negotiators have reached agreement on almost all of the three dozen separate initiatives in the Beyond the Border action plan, said sources who cannot be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The few remaining items mostly involve questions of wording and should be settled in time for an announcement in late September.
The most crucial phase then lies ahead, as both the Canadian and U.S. governments try to sell the proposals to their respective publics. A new poll suggests that in Canada, at least, that could be harder than it would have been a few years ago, although with a majority government, the Conservatives can pass any legislation that may be required, barring massive public opposition.
The stakes are high on the initiative, which Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama announced together in Washington last winter. Mr. Harper has told individuals in private meetings that he sees the Beyond the Border talks as the most ambitious advance in Canada-U.S. relations since the Free Trade Agreement of 1988.
Without an agreement, the non-tariff barriers that have increasingly obstructed the border since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks could remain in place and worsen. Read more here.
(Minister of International Trade) The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today participated in a round table with members of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) in Toronto. At the session, Minister Fast underscored the Harper government’s commitment to boosting trade and investment with China to benefit Canadians. [...]
(Minister of International Trade)
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today participated in a round table with members of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) in Toronto. At the session, Minister Fast underscored the Harper government’s commitment to boosting trade and investment with China to benefit Canadians.
“Our government’s focus is to create jobs and increase prosperity for hardworking Canadians. One in five Canadian jobs is linked to trade,” said Minister Fast. “China is now the world’s second-largest economy after the United States. Therefore, it is important that we further strengthen our commercial trading relationship with this powerhouse market in order to create opportunities for Canadian workers, businesses and their families.”
Canada and China are currently negotiating a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) – a pact that will set the stage for a significant increase in two-way investment.
“Canadian companies doing business in China will benefit from rules that create a predictable investment environment and effective dispute settlement measures,” stated Minister Fast. “We look forward to concluding this FIPA with China in the near future.”
“Today’s round-table discussion between Minister Fast and CCBC members underscores the importance that both the Harper government and the Sino-Canadian business community place on strengthening trade relations between Canada and China,” said Sarah Kutulakos, Executive Director and CEO of the CCBC. “As the voice of the Canadian business community on issues affecting Sino-Canadian trade and investment, the council is pleased with the Minister’s efforts to ensure a long and prosperous relationship that will benefit all Canadians.”
China is Canada’s second-largest merchandise trading partner. Bilateral merchandise trade reached $57.7 billion in 2010, while overall trade between the two countries more than tripled between 2001 and 2010. The Government of Canada is active in China in support of Canadian companies, with 11 service points comprising five diplomatic missions and six trade offices.
“The standard of living and future prosperity of Canadian families depend on us deepening and broadening Canada’s trade relationships,” concluded Minister Fast. “China is a key aspect of our job-creating pro-trade plan, and I look forward to intensified engagement with China this fall.”
(Government of Canada – Prime Minister’s Office) Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the launch of negotiations to modernize the existing free trade agreement between Canada and Costa Rica, as well as the signing of an air transportation agreement and a tax information exchange agreement between the two countries. The announcements were made during a working [...]
(Government of Canada – Prime Minister’s Office)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the launch of negotiations to modernize the existing free trade agreement between Canada and Costa Rica, as well as the signing of an air transportation agreement and a tax information exchange agreement between the two countries. The announcements were made during a working visit with President Laura Chinchilla in San José, Costa Rica.
“Canada and Costa Rica enjoy excellent bilateral relations. In fact, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Canadian Embassy in San José,” said the Prime Minister. “By removing trade barriers, facilitating air travel between our countries and working together to combat tax evasion, the measures announced today will lead to new opportunities and stronger economies for both Canadians and Costa Ricans.”
The announcements will have far-reaching benefits for Canada and Costa Rica. Most notably: Negotiations towards the modernization of the Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement will aim to accelerate the elimination of tariffs for agricultural and industrial goods, increase market access and broaden the agreement to cover other areas, such as cross-border trade in services, including financial services.
The air transportation agreement will further strengthen ties between Canada and Costa Rica by providing airlines with flexibility in terms of routes, frequency of service and pricing, which will in turn promote travel, trade and economic growth in each country. The agreement also marks another step towards the successful implementation of the Blue Sky Policy with countries in Central America.
The Tax Information Exchange Agreement will create the legal framework that will enable Canada and Costa Rica to exchange relevant tax information. By doing so, it will help Canadian and Costa Rican authorities combat international tax evasion, enforce domestic tax laws and protect the integrity of their tax systems.
Each of the measures announced today is consistent with Canada’s Engagement in the Americas strategy, which aims to promote prosperity at home and in countries of the Western hemisphere.
(Government of Canada) Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will come into force on August 15, 2011. The announcement was made jointly with the President of the Republic of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, during Prime Minister Harper’s official visit to Colombia. The Prime Minister also announced increased Canadian assistance [...]
(Government of Canada)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will come into force on August 15, 2011. The announcement was made jointly with the President of the Republic of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, during Prime Minister Harper’s official visit to Colombia. The Prime Minister also announced increased Canadian assistance to strengthen human rights in Colombia.
“Our Government has been hard at work opening new markets abroad for Canadian businesses, which creates jobs for Canadians,” said Prime Minister Harper. “Colombia has a burgeoning economy with incredible potential for commercial linkages with Canadian entrepreneurs. Improving trade and expanding market opportunities also helps to build a better future for the next generation. Our Government continues to support efforts to safeguard and promote human rights that make a real difference for children, youth, families and communities.” Read more here.
Stephen Harper is vowing to clinch free-trade deals with the EU and India. But there are a number of factors that could trip up the talks…
(The Vancouver Sun – Andrew Mayeda, Postmedia News)
Process ‘complicated’ with provinces at table, expert says
Stephen Harper is vowing to clinch free-trade deals with the European Union and India. But there are a number of factors that could trip up the talks, including the willingness of the provinces to play ball. Harper said Thursday the Conservatives will aim to complete bilateral trade agreements with the European Union by 2012 and with India by 2013.
Harper touted his party’s free-trade credentials, noting that the Conservatives have inked eight bilateral deals since taking office, and are negotiating 50 more.
He said the trade negotiations would turn into a “gong show” if the Liberals form a coalition with the NDP and Bloc Quebecois. But while in government, the Liberals were hardly antitrade. Some experts would argue the EU talks have already turned into a gong show, now that the provinces and territories have been given a seat at the negotiating table. Read more here.
Does your Trade Strategy prepare you for these upcoming changes?
(Whitehouse.gov)
President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper hold a joint press conference and take questions from the media on various subjects, including trade and the current situation on Egypt. February 4, 2011.
Related: Breaking Down Borders: Canada-U.S. Trade and Security (Globe & Mail)
(Sheldon Alberts — Montreal Gazette/Postmedia News)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama are seeking a sweeping deal to establish a North American security and trade perimeter, opening talks Friday that could lead to jointly operated Canada-U.S. border facilities, an integrated entry-exit system to track travellers and the deployment of “cross-designated” law enforcement officers to intercept terrorists and criminals.
Harper touted the plan as vital to both the safety and prosperity of Canadians, even as critics expressed concerns a future agreement with the U.S. could compromise the nation’s sovereignty.
“This declaration is not about sovereignty. We are sovereign countries who have the capacity to act as we choose to act,” Harper told reporters following an hour-long White House meeting with Obama.
“It is in Canada’s interests to work with our partners in the United States to ensure that our borders are secure and ensure that we can trade and travel across them as safely and as openly as possible, within the context of our different laws. And that is what we’re trying to achieve…” Read more here.
