Governments sort out how marijuana legalization will work in Canada

   Canada column for Sunday, June 24/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Provincial governments are scrambling to determine how it will all work as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadians will be able to legally use recreational marijuana.

   The legalization of pot becomes effective across Canada on Oct. 17.

   The move was promised in the Trudeau Liberals’ election platform and the launch date had been set for July 1, Canada Day, but procedural issues and delays prevented meeting the target.

   The Cannabis Bill was passed by Parliament, the Senate and given Royal Assent by the Governor-General ending Canada’s near-century-old prohibition.

   Governments in the provinces and territories can decide where and how the products will be sold, either in private stores or government facilities such as liquor stores.

   The age restriction for legal use is 19 but a year younger in Quebec and Alberta and there will be strict regulations on where it can be consumed.

   The government also passed a bill with harsher penalties for driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Buy Canadian movement is catching on after U.S. tariffs, threats

   Canada column for Sunday, June 17/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadians are being urged to stay cool as they react to punishing tariffs, threats and verbal knocks from U.S. officials.

   An online movement urges a boycott of U.S. goods and vacations and buying T-shirts saying “Buy Canadian Eh” (www.teespring.com/shop/buy-canadian-eh) that is gaining momentum.

   Economists suggest that a trade war could only make matters worse.

   Things heated up after the G7 conference in Quebec last weekend when U.S. President Donald Trump objected to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying that Canada wouldn’t be pushed around by the U.S.

   He tweeted that Trudeau was “dishonest” and “weak” while White House trade advisor Peter Navarro went further to comment that there is “a special place in hell” for Trudeau.

   Trump later said Trudeau’s comments would cost Canadians “a lot of money.”

   The Canadian government plans strategic retaliatory tariffs on July 1 to counter the U.S. fees on steel and aluminum and there are threats to expand that to the automotive sector.

   Social media hashtags such as #BuyCanadian, #BoycottUSA and #BoycottUSProducts include #ThanksCanada for Americans to show support for Canadians.

Conservatives devastate opponents in Ontario election with Premier-elect Doug Ford

   Canada column for Sunday, June 10/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Promising to “put more money in your pocket,” Doug Ford led his Conservatives to a sweeping victory in the Ontario provincial election.

   The popularity of the brash former Toronto city councillor along with citing a need for change after 15 years of Liberal rule, voters gave Ford’s party a majority government.

   The Conservatives had 76 members elected while the socialist New Democrats led by Andrea Horwath will form the Official Opposition with 40 elected.

   With a series of scandals, spending concerns and high energy costs, voters failed to give the ruling Liberals even official party status with just seven elected to the Ontario Legislature.

   Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne, who was narrowly re-elected in her Toronto district, resigned as party leader.

   Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner made history being the first member of the party elected in Ontario.

   The victory sends a clear message that “Ontario is open for business” and there will be an “era of economic growth and prosperity,” Ford said.

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Punitive U.S. tariffs on Canada called "ridiculous" by Trudeau

   Canada column for Sunday, June 3/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the punitive tariffs President Donald Trump placed on Canada are “ridiculous” and will backfire.

   In what was called the worst case of anti-Canadian sentiment in history, the U.S. imposed punishing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

   Canada responded with retaliatory dollar-for-dollar “countermeasures” on up to $16.6 billion in U.S. imports.

   Trump said the days of the U.S. being taken advantage of in trade deals “are over” at a time of an impasse in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

   “We’re actually going to see hardship happening on both sides, particularly on the American side of the border, as the unintended consequences of putting trade tariffs on their closest ally and trading partner begin to be felt,” Trudeau said Friday.

   It’s not known if Trump will expand on his comments next week at the G7 summit Trudeau is hosting in Quebec.

   Canada’s tariffs will make a long list of U.S. products more expensive beginning July 1.

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