In Bangladesh, a winner-take-all democracy is not sustainable: Globe and Mail Op-Ed
By John Richards
Published in the Globe and Mail on January 9, 2014
Last Sunday, Bangladesh elected a new government. Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League were re-elected. Quite reasonably, three quarters of the electorate chose not to vote.
Many abstained because the election was a foregone conclusion. Candidates representing the Awami League won over half the ridings by acclamation. The BNP, the major opposition party, refused to participate because Sheikh Hasina had eliminated the “caretaker government”, an arrangement that had previously assured a measure of neutrality in administering elections. Furthermore, Hasina had banned from participation the BNP’s electoral ally, Jamaat-e-Islami. An Islamist party, it was…
Tradable Services: Canada’s Overlooked Success Story
While manufacturing has been struggling to recoup job losses, Canada’s tradable services sectors have been expanding, providing an increased number of well-paying jobs in Canada in the midst of tough economic times, according to a report released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Tradable Services: Canada’s Overlooked Success Story,” author Daniel Schwanen finds the […] Who Else Benefits from CETA? Some Implications of “Most-Favoured Nation” Treatment
Investors from US and Mexico and other third-party countries will benefit from the Canada-EU trade deal when it comes to investing in Canada, according to a report released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Who Else Benefits from CETA? Some Implications of Most-Favoured Nation Treatment,” respected trade lawyer Lawrence L. Herman concludes that investors […] The bizarre political optics of free-trade agreements: Globe and Mail Op-Ed
Published in the Globe and Mail on November 26, 2013
By Christopher Ragan
Economists see the world differently than business people and politicians. This is never more evident than in discussions about the benefits of freer trade.
Here’s a suggestion for an educational evening: Invite an economist, a businessman and a politician for dinner and ask them if Canada would benefit by unilaterally reducing its tariffs on imported cheese or automobiles or hundreds of other products. The businessman will likely say it is pointless unless it improves Canadian business prospects. The politician will say that Canada shouldn’t make such a “concession” without other countries doing the same.
The economist will view these…
Diplomacy, Trade and Aid: Searching for “Synergies”
2013″” Uneasy Birth: What Canadians Should Expect from a Canada-EU Trade Deal
Canada’s potential trade deal with the European Union, if it is ambitious, could generate far more opportunities than risks, according to a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Uneasy Birth: What Canadians Should Expect from a Canada-EU Trade Deal,” author Daniel Schwanen outlines what would be a good deal for Canada, and suggests […] Five ways to help Canada clinch global trade deals: Globe and Mail Op-ed
Published in the Globe and Mail on June 25, 2013
By Lawrence Herman
Except when Canada was pursuing the free-trade agreement with the United States almost 30 years ago, there’s never been a time when the country’s trade negotiating agenda has been so highly charged.
Not only are the Canada-European Union trade negotiations at a critical stage, there’s the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the continuing Canada-U.S. Beyond the Border (and regulatory co-operation) initiative and a host of ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
With all of these files on the go, one would expect more effective public engagement by the federal government to better inform and educate the public about what’s at stake.
Yet…
Time to address global trade barriers together: Embassy Magazine Op-Ed
Published in Embassy on April 24, 2013
By Daniel Schwanen
Twenty-five years ago Canada was in the throes of an intense national debate over its bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the United States. At the time, the agreement had not yet been ratified. The ensuing general election marked the last time electoral participation exceeded 75 per cent of registered voters, and it resulted in a victory for supporters of the agreement, which duly came into effect on Jan. 1, 1989.
Today, Canada is negotiating next-generation trade agreements that will facilitate commercial relations with other significant partners such as the European Union and many countries across the Pacific.
As well, Canada is committed to easing…
Putting the Market Back in Dairy Marketing
Canada’s controversial but politically untouchable dairy supply management system can be reformed, while addressing the concerns of wary politicians, consumers tired of overpaying for milk and cheese, and farmers worried about their future. In “Putting the Market Back in Dairy Marketing,” authors Colin Busby and Daniel Schwanen call for better representation of consumer interests in […] A Canada-CARICOM “Trade-not-Aid” Strategy: Important and Achievable
Canada should step up efforts to wrap up a trade deal this year with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to a report released by the C.D. Howe Institute. In “A Canada-CARICOM “Trade-not-Aid” Strategy: Important and Achievable,” author Phil Rourke says a Canada-CARICOM trade deal could serve as a model for agreements with other low- and […] Speed Dating or Serious Courtship? Canada and Foreign State-Owned Enterprises
If Canada wants to benefit from Asia’s long-term growth potential, there is no getting around the need to do business, carefully, with state-owned enterprises (SOEs), according to a report released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. In “Speed Dating or Serious Courtship? Canada and Foreign State-Owned Enterprises,” author Daniel Schwanen discusses how Canada can address […] China investment: Deal a big step forward: Financial Post Op-Ed
Published in the Financial Post on October 27, 2012
By Lawrence Herman and Daniel Schwanen
The recent agreement between Canada and China for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection and Investments, which is to be ratified by Canada on Oct. 31, has given rise to a debate characterized by more heat than light.
There are some two and a half thousand such agreements in force around the world today, including well over 100 signed by China. True, an earlier vintage of Chinese investment treaties did not allow for an impartial investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, such as the one contemplated between Canada and China. But all recent ones signed by China — including with such advanced Western nations as Germany…