Canadian flyers to get bill of rights; ban on 'bumping'

   Canada column for Sunday, May 28/17

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadian flyers will be getting their own bill of rights from the government that will end the practise of “bumping” people against their will.

   Bumping has been the subject of ugly scenes recently on several U.S. airlines and will be part of the changes expected to become law next year.

   Even before that happens, Transport Minister Marc Garneau wants the country’s airlines to live up to the spirit of its bill.

   He has called on airline executives to voluntarily stop removing passengers from full flights against their will and to ensure that children can be seated next to a parent at no extra cost.

   The bill would set minimum levels of compensation for people who voluntarily agree to be bumped.

   It would also make airlines establish clear standards of treatment and compensation for circumstances such as lost or damaged luggage, delays while sitting on the tarmac and other non-weather related issues.

   The amendments would raise the cap on foreign ownership in airlines and require railways to install voice and video recorders in locomotives.

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Canada looks at NAFTA renegotiaton with the U.S. and Mexico as "routine"

   Canada column for Sunday, May 21/17

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canada is approaching the impending renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement as something that will be “routine.”

   Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said “modernizing trade agreements is standard practice” for trading nations.

   U.S. President Donald Trump through Congress has formally given the required 90-day notice to Canada and Mexico to rework the 25-year-old agreement.

   Elements of the deal are “outdated” and do not reflect modern standards, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said.

   Areas needing to be “modernized” include intellectual property rights, regulatory practices, environment and labor, of which Canada is in agreement.

   The goal is to conclude the negotiations “with timely and substantive results for U.S. consumers, businesses, farmers, ranchers and workers,” Lighthizer said.

   Freeland will meet in Mexico City on Tuesday with Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo and Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray to discuss the agreement and trade.

   “Our objective is going to be to negotiate a great deal for Canadians and I’m very confident we can do that,” Freeland said.

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Canada is ready to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. and Mexico

   Canada column for Sunday, May 14/17

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   “Bring it on,” Canadian leaders suggest as U.S. President Donald Trump moves to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

   Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada will be “good, collaborative constructive partners who effectively stand up for the national interest.”

   It is hoped Canada will be able to “conclude negotiations quickly,” as well as meet soon with Trump “trade czar” Robert Lighthizer, she said.

   The U.S. plans to file the required 90-day notice with Congress to renegotiate the pact and start talks with Canada and Mexico later this year.

   The President has said the U.S. is at a big disadvantage with the current NAFTA deal and wants “massive” changes in areas including automobiles, dairy, lumber, pharmaceuticals and the dispute-resolution system.

   Canada and the U.S. already are working on finding ways to eliminate excessive regulations on products crossing the border between the world’s two largest trading partners.

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Water, water, everywhere, flooding across Canada

   Canada column for Sunday, May 7/17

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   A massive storm stalled over central and eastern Canada has resulted in several days of persistent rainfall into this weekend and flooding.

   Lake Ontario is at its highest level since 1993 – almost two feet above average – as measures are ready to remove the 700 residents of the Toronto islands, if necessary.

   The three inches or so of rain have flooded Toronto beach parks and roads near the lake.

   Environment Canada said the weather system is drenching much of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, with officials invoking states of emergency and contingency plans.

   In Quebec, 132 communities have been flooded with about 700 people forced from their homes, with less severe conditions in Montreal.

   In Atlantic Canada, Environment Canada was predicting up to four inches of rain for most of Nova Scotia and two inches in southwestern New Brunswick.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government is “ready and willing” with whatever help is needed with the floods and cleanup.

   There is also a risk of flooding in southern British Columbia with thunderstorms, heavy rain, wind gusts and large hail.

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Canada's leader says he helped save NAFTA, for now

   Canada column for Sunday, April 30/17

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s buddy-buddy relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump might have played a big role in the decision not to dismantle the North American Free Trade Agreement.

   After imposing a hurtful new tariff of up to 24 percent on Canada’s softwood lumber imports, Trump threatened to rip up NAFTA, saying it puts America at a disadvantage.

   Trump says he won’t do that now because Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto are good guys.

   “I respect their countries very much. The relationship is very special and I said I will hold on the termination. Let’s see if we can make it a fair deal,” Trump said.

   He was said to be only days away from issuing an executive order to cancel the agreement before speaking on the phone with two leaders.

   Trudeau said he told Trump that a disruption such as ending NAFTA would cause “pain for a lot of families.”

   Gary Hufbauer, a leading U.S. expert on NAFTA from the Peterson Institute, called it a negotiating ploy.

   “True to Trump’s style, the only surprise was the quick reversal,” he said.

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