Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, shown here at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in March, says the ball is now in the European Union’s court to conclude a Canada/EU free trade deal. (Global Affairs Canada via YouTube)

Canada says up to EU to save free trade deal

Brussels | Reuters — Canada said on Saturday it was up to the European Union to save a free trade deal that could boost both economies but that cannot be signed as planned next week due to opposition from Belgium’s French-speaking region. The Walloon government was awaiting new proposals from the European Commission, according to […] Read more



Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, shown here earlier this year at the signing conference for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, has walked out of trade talks aimed at salvaging a Canada-EU free trade deal. (New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade via YouTube)

Canada walks out of trade talks with ‘incapable’ EU

Brussels | Reuters — Canada’s trade minister walked out of talks in Belgium on Friday, declaring that the European Union was incapable of sealing a planned transatlantic free trade deal designed to boost growth in both economies. All 28 EU governments support the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), but Belgium cannot give assent without […] Read more

(EC.europa.eu)

Belgian region sticks to firm ‘Non’ on CETA

Brussels | Reuters — The Belgian region of Wallonia rejected new amendments to a planned EU-Canada free trade agreement on Thursday, reaffirming its opposition and so threatening the entire deal, a flagship of European Union trade policy. All 28 EU governments support the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), but Belgium cannot give assent without […] Read more


The main tower of Brussels’ Gothic-style Stadhuis, or city hall. (CIA.gov)

EU calls meeting to try to unblock Canada trade deal

Brussels | Reuters — The European Union summoned envoys from its member states to an emergency meeting in Brussels at 8 p.m. local time on Thursday to seek a last-minute resolution to Belgian difficulties holding up a trade deal with Canada, diplomats said. All 28 EU governments support the planned Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement […] Read more

(EC.europa.eu)

Belgian region wants more time to fix CETA

Brussels/Ottawa | Reuters — The premier of the Belgian region that is the main impediment to a planned EU-Canada free trade agreement on Wednesday advised postponing a summit next week to sign the deal and taking a few more months to fix outstanding issues. Walloon’s Paul Magnette spoke as pressure mounted on him to drop […] Read more


Stubble on a harvested oat field near Winnipeg. (Shannon VanRaes photo)

Carbon price worries farmers, fertilizer makers

Winnipeg/Toronto | Reuters — Canada’s plan to price carbon emissions may weaken the farm sector in one of the biggest grain-shipping countries, raising farmers’ costs and discouraging investment in fertilizer production, industry groups say. Ottawa this month promised a price on carbon emissions by 2018, and will let provinces choose a tax or cap-and-trade system. […] Read more

Le Botanique, a Brussels-area greenhouse facility repurposed as a cultural centre and live music venue. (CIA.gov)

Belgian ‘Non’ blocks EU approval of CETA

Luxembourg | Reuters — EU governments failed on Tuesday to approve a free trade agreement with Canada, as continued opposition from French-speaking southern Belgium threatened the entire deal. Almost all 28 EU governments, whose ministers were meeting in Luxembourg, now back the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which would be the bloc’s first trade […] Read more


(Save-A-Lot.com)

Canada’s Onex to buy U.S. grocery chain Save-A-Lot

Reuters — Food retailer and wholesaler Supervalu Inc. said it will sell its Save-A-Lot business to Canadian private equity firm Onex Corp. for US$1.37 billion rather than spinning off the discount grocery chain as previously planned, the companies said on Monday. Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Supervalu had been looking to separate the more profitable division, which […] Read more

(EC.europa.eu)

Belgian ‘Non’ clouds EU meeting to approve CETA

Luxembourg | Reuters — European Union trade ministers meet in Luxembourg on Tuesday aiming to approve a free trade agreement with Canada but facing regional opposition in Belgium that threatens to scupper the entire deal. All 28 EU governments now back the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which would be the bloc’s first trade […] Read more