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Ottawa is feeling a renewed sense of urgency following Donald Trump’s victory in final week’s presidential election
Printed Nov 12, 2024 • Final up to date 7 hours in the past • 3 minute learn
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon speaks with media throughout a information convention in Ottawa, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Photograph by Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
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OTTAWA — Canada’s bilateral commerce relationship with america was high of thoughts on Tuesday when federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon introduced he’d invoked binding arbitration to squash job actions at Canada’s two largest ports.
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MacKinnon stated he couldn’t danger any additional harm the labour disputes would do to Canada’s enterprise picture, signalling a renewed sense of urgency following Donald Trump’s victory in final week’s presidential election.
“(The labour disruptions) are impacting our supply chains… and our reputation as a reliable international trade partner,” MacKinnon stated in defence of the federal motion. “If these work stoppages go on… our well earned reputation for reliability will be put at risk.”
“I want to emphasize that there is a limit to the economic self-destruction that Canadians are prepared to accept,” MacKinnon instructed reporters in French.
MacKinnon deflected when requested by reporters about “pressures” he’s been feeling from south of the border and in addition declined to touch upon Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s earlier suggestion that Canada reduce Mexico out of its subsequent spherical of commerce talks with the U.S.
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MacKinnon nonetheless made clear that he was targeted on safeguarding Canada’s commerce relationships, even when it meant taking a political hit from staff.
“There will be a debate about this,” acknowledged MacKinnon.
NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh was fast to fireplace off a press release excoriating each MacKinnon and his boss Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the choice.
“Justin Trudeau is again making it clear to the ports CEOs and all big corporations — being a bad boss pays off,” stated Singh, within the assertion. “The Liberal government will always cave to corporate greed, and always step in to make sure the unions have no power.”
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This marks the second time this yr that MacKinnon has invoked binding arbitration to settle labour disputes, after ordering placing rail staff again to work in August.
Peter Graefe, a professor of politics and labour research at MacMaster College in Hamilton, Ont., stated that the spectre of Trump casts an extended shadow over Ottawa.
“Clearly, the looming second Trump presidency is top of mind right now for pretty much all senior ministers,” stated Graefe on Tuesday.
The dual shutdowns in Vancouver and Montreal ports stopped the stream of between $400 million and $800 million value of products per day, prompting questions on Canada’s reliability as a commerce accomplice to the U.S. and different main economies.
Trump stated in the course of the marketing campaign that he plans to renegotiate the CUSMA commerce settlement with Mexico and Canada, which is up for assessment in 2026.
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The president-elect has stated he’ll negotiate stronger protections towards the oblique routing of Chinese language items by a number of ports, a follow referred to as transshipment.
“They smuggle this stuff in. They don’t pay anything. We’re going to have very strong language on that,” stated Trump throughout an October marketing campaign occasion in Detroit.
Ontario Chronicle
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