Mail stopped in various cities across Canada due to rotating strikes

   Canada column for Sunday, Oct. 28/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The mail isn’t going through in numerous cities across Canada as postal workers stage rotating strikes to back contract demands.

   About 9,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers left their jobs for two days at the largest sorting plant and customer base in the Greater Toronto Area.

   This created delivery delays for tens of thousands of Canadians awaiting letters and parcels across the country.

   Canada Post workers also left their jobs in Vancouver, Niagara, Kelowna, Sudbury, Saint John, Calgary, Sherbrooke and Red Deer.

   The union says the major issues are health and safety, equality for rural and suburban mail letter carriers and an end to “precarious work.”

   Canada Post spokesman John Hamilton the workers have been offered increased pay, job security and improved benefits.

   The rotating walkouts continue even as the Canadian government has appointed a mediator,  Morton Mitchnick, a former chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, to help reach a negotiated settlement.

Canadian government to "pardon" those with simple marijuana convictions from past

  

   Gasket, Gunther and Goliath. Edmonton Humane Society

Canada column for Sunday, Oct. 21/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Now that marijuana use is legal across Canada, the government is moving to pardon Canadians with previous convictions of simple pot possession.

   Business was brisk and parties and celebrations were numerous when the law changed on Wednesday.

   For those still puzzled over why the Liberal government is allowing pot use, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the rationale is to “protect our kids and to keep the profits out of the pockets of organized crime.”

   The provincial government-run Ontario Cannabis Store had 100,000 online orders in the first 24 hours that marijuana was legal.

   Unlike other places, Ontario – Canada’s most populous province – will have no brick-and-mortar cannabis stores until April 1.

   For now, online is the only way to legally obtain pot, with orders delivered by the Canadian post office in about three days.

   The government is also planning to waive the fee of about $631 and waiting periods for pardons.

Canada enters "brave new world" with legal marijuana law

   Canada column for Sunday, Oct. 14/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   It’s being called a “brave new world” as marijuana for recreational use becomes legal throughout Canada on Wednesday.

   In anticipation, cannabis producer Aphria Inc. chief executive Vic Neufeld advises there will be shortages in both stores and online sales sites.

   Sales will be by government-run and private retailers who are aware there will be product shortfalls initially.

   Estimated demand across Canada is about 675 U.S. tons this quarter year, with the forecasted available marijuana supply at 160 tons, said a report by the C.D. Howe Institute.

   There are also some concerns about people crossing the border to the U.S. if they use marijuana or work for a cannabis-related company.

   At the Canada-U.S. border at Ontario’s Thousands Islands crossing, there is a new sign saying “No cannabis at border crossings.”

   The government warns that taking pot in any form across Canada’s international borders will remain illegal and can result in criminal penalties.

USMCA is the new NAFTA; not pleasing all Canadians

   Canada column for Sunday, Oct. 7/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Reaction is mixed across Canada about the benefits and potential setbacks of the newly negotiated free-trade agreement.

   Reached at the final hour before President Donald Trump’s ultimatum for Canada being included in the deal with the U.S. and Mexico, it’s now known as the USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement).

   “It’s a good day for Canada,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in announcing the success after 14 months of negotiations to “modernize” the former North American Free Trade Agreement.

   Details include Canada giving concessions on a major U.S. demand to allow more access to the Canadian dairy market and other supply managed farm products.

   The U.S. can count wins as well in areas including intellectual property and influence in Canadian and Mexican trade deals with other countries.

   The agreement has 34 chapters and 12 side letters. It can be read at the Canadian government website: http://international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/usmca-aeumc/summary-sommaire.aspx?lang=eng

Canada's central bank chief worries about trade deal

   Canada column for Sunday, Sept. 30/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Should the U.S. follow through with punishing tariffs on Canadian-built vehicles and auto parts, there would be turmoil in the economy.

   Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz made the comment while saying that uncertainty over the fate of the North American Free Trade Agreement has already resulted in a drop in business investment.

   In another bout of unflattering remarks about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian NAFTA negotiators, President Donald Trump said if Canada isn’t in the new deal he will slap tariffs on autos.

   Such a move would hurt Canadian workers as well as Americans since the major auto companies in Canada are owned by the Detroit-based companies.

   Negotiators continue working to find an agreement but punitive measures such as tariffs could spike inflation and slow the economy, Poloz said.

   BULLETIN: A revised NAFTA deal including Canada was reached. Go to: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-canada-us-reach-outline-of-nafta-deal-pending-approval-of-trump/

   The central bank held off raising its trendsetting interest rate this month but an increase is expected at the next announcement on Oct. 24.

Environmental impact of oil tankers latest attempt to get Trans Mountain pipeline expansion approved

   Canada column for Sunday, Sept. 23/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The environmental impact of oil tankers shipping crude oil from Alberta to overseas markets is being reviewed to try to get approval to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline.

   Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said the Canadian government is giving the National Energy Board 22 weeks to complete a thorough review of the environmental impact of oil tankers off the British Columbia coast.

   The government bought the existing pipeline from Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion, approved the project and plans to sell it back when completed to a private buyer.

   The Federal Court of Appeal has blocked the expansion saying more consultation and environmental impact studies are needed.

   Sohi said he believes the latest plan will “allow us to meet the high standards that Canadians expect when it comes to protecting the environment.”

   Under review will be the impact on killer whales with the number of oil tankers rising to 35 a month from the current five.

Canadian marijuana smokers, workers, investors could be banned from the U.S.

   Canada column for Sunday, Sept. 16/18

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadians who admit smoking marijuana and work or invest in companies producing pot products could be barred for life from entering the United States.

   As Canada’s law legalizing pot becomes effective Oct. 17, people need to be careful when crossing the border, officials warn.

   The U.S. is not planning to change its rules about border crossings in light of Canada legalizing pot sales and use, said Todd Owen of the U.S. Office of Field Operations.

   “Our officers are not going to be asking everyone whether they have used marijuana, but if other questions lead there or if there is a smell coming from the car, they might ask,” Owen told the Politico website.

   If asked about past drug use, travelers should not lie because that would be “fraud and misrepresentation, which carries a lifetime ban,” he added.

   The U.S. does not recognize those working or investing in the industry as a legal business.

   Vancouver venture capitalist Sam Znaimer who told border officers he has invested in U.S. cannabis companies was one of the first given a lifetime entry ban.