U.S. President Donald Trump speaks April 18 at Snap-on Tools’ headquarters in Kenosha, Wisconsin. (Video screengrab from Whitehouse.gov)

White House readies order to quit NAFTA

Washington | Reuters — The White House is considering a draft executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the North American Free Trade Agreement, a senior Trump administration official said on Wednesday. It was unclear whether the order would be enacted by President Donald Trump, who has vowed to pull out from the U.S./Mexico/Canada trade

Plants seized at an illegal grow op in the RM of Fisher, Man. in February. The proposed federal Cannabis Act would limit home production of cannabis to four plants per residence at a maximum height of 100 cm per plant. (Photo courtesy Fisher Branch/Peguis RCMP)

Feds introduce cannabis legalization bill

The federal government is set to decriminalize cannabis possession and use and to allow limited home-grown pot plants starting in mid-2018, while sticking close to the existing licensing system for wholesale-level production. The government on Thursday introduced the Cannabis Act, which will allow adults — that is, ages 18 and up — to legally possess



(AllflexUSA.com)

B.C. rural plan includes livestock tag reader rebate

A new provincial rural economic development strategy for British Columbia includes extra money for livestock and invasive plant programs, among them a new rebate plan for livestock tag readers. The province on Friday released “Building on our Rural Advantages: B.C.’s Rural Economic Development Strategy,” a document laying out investments expected to support up to 26,600


(Europa.eu)

French MNAs take EU-Canada trade deal to court

Paris | Reuters — More than 100 French left-wing lawmakers decided Tuesday to appeal to the country’s Constitutional Council to block a contentious free trade deal between the European Union and Canada. Supporters of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) say it will boost economic growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.




(EC.europa.eu)

Key European body backs EU-Canada trade deal

Brussels | Reuters — A planned EU-Canada free-trade deal moved closer to reality on Tuesday after a key committee advised the European Parliament to give its backing after months of protests and heated debate. The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is seen as a test of Europe’s ability to forge future trade accords


(CBSA-asfc.gc.ca)

Canada to Mexico on NAFTA: You might be on your own

Calgary | Reuters — Canada will focus on preserving its U.S. trade ties during talks to renegotiate NAFTA and may not be able to help Mexico avoid being targeted by the Trump administration, Canadian government sources say. “We love our Mexican friends. But our national interests come first and the friendship comes second,” a source

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Canada not seen as U.S. target in NAFTA talks

Calgary | Reuters — Canada has a “very special status” and is unlikely to be hit hard by changes the U.S. wants to make to the NAFTA trade accord, the head of a business advisory council to U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday. Stephen Schwarzman made his remarks after addressing Canadian Prime Minister Justin