New cabinet team to help Trudeau government deal with regional issues

   Canada column for Sunday, Nov. 24/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The renewed Liberal government –- with much pomp and ceremony – has announced its team to tackle campaign promises.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presented his new larger cabinet that will help deal with regional tensions, climate change and middle-class prosperity.

   A highlight of the new minority government was the promotion of Chrystia Freeland to deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs.

   She represented Canada’s interests in a revised free-trade deal with the United States and Mexico.

   Freeland will now help to appease western Canada concerns of premiers Jason Kenney of Alberta and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe along with Ontario’s Doug Ford.

   Winnipeg Member of Parliament Jim Carr, suffering with cancer, is now a “special representative for the Prairies to ensure westerners have a “strong voice in Ottawa,” Trudeau said.

   Acknowledging Bloc Quebecois’ resurgence, Montreal’s Pablo Rodriguez moves into the role of government House leader.

Western alienation, climate change challenge new Canadian government

   Canada column for Sunday, Nov. 10/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Long-simmering anger over “western alienation” and climate change confront Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new Liberal minority government.

   As he met with his team, including those defeated in the election, he said there’s “a lot of work to do to make sure that we’re governing for the entire country.”

   That was in response to what Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister called mounting frustration in the western provinces with deep regional rifts.

      Pallister said he gave Trudeau some “friendly advice” on how to proceed with great frustration over the lack of progress on pipeline expansion and things such as flood protection measures.

   No Liberals were elected in Alberta and Saskatchewan while Trudeau said giving those provinces a voice is a “significant” challenge.

   The new cabinet will be sworn in on Nov. 20 while missing from Ottawa will be Elizabeth May who has quit as leader of the Green party that had three members elected.

   May, 65, cited a family promise to quit and appointed deputy leader Jo-Ann Roberts to be her successor.

Canada, Mexico patient as U.S. moves closer to freetrade pact vote

   Canada column for Sunday, Nov. 3/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   There are signals that U.S. lawmakers are preparing to vote soon to ratify a modified version of the North American trade pact.

   Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi said congressional Democrats and the Trump administration are close to resolving differences over the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

   Richard Neal, chairman of the U.S. House ways and means committee, will travel to Ottawa Wednesday to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland to discuss the ratification process.

   Pelosi has had misgivings about conditions concerning labor, enforcement, prescription drugs and environmental standards.

   Waiting patiently are Trudeau and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who had discussions after the Canadian election last month.

   “We agree to maintain good relations and continue to convince U.S. congressmen about the importance of approving the agreement for the benefit of the three nations,” the Mexican leader said.

   U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is working to get the deal ratified and it is something that President Trump believes would benefit him in his re-election bid.