February 10, 2012
News from Thompson Ahern: Weekly Updates
An updated list of recently published government memorandums, notices, regulations and decisions for the week ending February 10, 2011 is now available on our website here.
CFIA: New Fax Number for NISC and NSO
(CFIA)
In an effort to modernize operations at the National Import Service Centre (NISC) and the NISC Satellite Office (NSO), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implemented new technology to support the process of transmitting import documentation. As a result, the current numbers used to transmit faxes to the NISC and NSO, (905) 795-7834 and (514) 493-0468, will be replaced by one centralized number (613) 773-9999, effective February 15, 2012.
If you require additional information, please contact the NISC or NSO:
NISC: 1-800-835-4486 | NSO: 1-877-493-0468
In an effort to modernize operations at the National Import Service Centre (NISC) and the NISC Satellite Office (NSO), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implemented new technology to support the process of transmitting import documentation. As a result, the current numbers used to transmit faxes to the NISC and NSO, (905) 795-7834 and (514) 493-0468, will be replaced by one centralized number (613) 773-9999, effective February 15, 2012.
If you require additional information, please contact the NISC or NSO:
NISC: 1-800-835-4486 | NSO: 1-877-493-0468
Big Business Attends Perimeter Talks in Washington
(Embassy – Carl Meyer)
U.S. intel-sharing plans will hit Toews’ desk; Harper government to table cross-border policing bill
New information has emerged on the perimeter security plan between Canada and the United States, with hundreds of government and industry representatives meeting in Washington last week, and the Harper government signalling it will soon table a bill to entrench cross-border policing over water.
On Jan. 30 and 31, representatives from both governments as well as industry officials held talks in Washington on the Regulatory Co-operation Council, one of the two planks of the Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan.
A notice for both talks was quietly posted on the government’s border plan website sometime last month. It included an agenda for the second day that struck a whole host of technical sessions bringing bureaucrats and industry together to hammer out draft work plans. Read more here.
U.S. intel-sharing plans will hit Toews’ desk; Harper government to table cross-border policing bill
New information has emerged on the perimeter security plan between Canada and the United States, with hundreds of government and industry representatives meeting in Washington last week, and the Harper government signalling it will soon table a bill to entrench cross-border policing over water.
On Jan. 30 and 31, representatives from both governments as well as industry officials held talks in Washington on the Regulatory Co-operation Council, one of the two planks of the Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan.
A notice for both talks was quietly posted on the government’s border plan website sometime last month. It included an agenda for the second day that struck a whole host of technical sessions bringing bureaucrats and industry together to hammer out draft work plans. Read more here.
Canada Inks China Trade Deals, Hails Investor Pact
(Reuters – David Ljunggren)
China and Canada on Wednesday signed a series of deals to boost modest levels of bilateral trade and finished negotiations on a foreign investment protection pact after 18 years of talks.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, keen to boost oil exports to China and thereby reduce reliance on the U.S. market, said the investment agreement would help increase trade. “This is an historic step forward ... it will provide greater predictability and protection for Canadians seeking to do business in China,” he told a news conference after talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
Both nations will need to conduct a legal review of the deal and then sign and ratify it before it can take effect.
The relatively small amount of bilateral trade – which amounted to less than C$60 billion ($59.4 billion) in 2010 – shows how much potential there is for growth.
Harper said Canadian investment in China rose by 39% in 2010 from 2009 to hit nearly C$5 billion. Chinese investment in Canada the same year totaled $14 billion, an increase of 9% from 2009. Read more here.
China and Canada on Wednesday signed a series of deals to boost modest levels of bilateral trade and finished negotiations on a foreign investment protection pact after 18 years of talks.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, keen to boost oil exports to China and thereby reduce reliance on the U.S. market, said the investment agreement would help increase trade. “This is an historic step forward ... it will provide greater predictability and protection for Canadians seeking to do business in China,” he told a news conference after talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
Both nations will need to conduct a legal review of the deal and then sign and ratify it before it can take effect.
The relatively small amount of bilateral trade – which amounted to less than C$60 billion ($59.4 billion) in 2010 – shows how much potential there is for growth.
Harper said Canadian investment in China rose by 39% in 2010 from 2009 to hit nearly C$5 billion. Chinese investment in Canada the same year totaled $14 billion, an increase of 9% from 2009. Read more here.
February 7, 2012
Canadian Ports Refute U.S. Allegations of Unfair Subsidies
(Cargonews Asia)
Canadian port authorities are calling on the US government not to impose penalties on the country’s container ports, reported Canwest News Service.
The Federal Maritime Commission in the US decided late last year to launch a study into possible unfair practices by Ottawa for its container ports, raising fears of a damaging trade war.
Richard Lidinsky, the chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), said he would be proposing a study on whether Canadian and Mexican ports are benefiting from unfair subsidisation, following a request for an investigation by two US senators from Washington state.
They wanted an investigation of “diversions” of US-bound, Asia-origin cargo through Canada, brought into United States via Canadian rail services.
Some of the issues to be investigated include the Harbour Maintenance Tax, which isn’t in place in Canada, as well as rail service rates and infrastructure funding. Read more here.
Canadian port authorities are calling on the US government not to impose penalties on the country’s container ports, reported Canwest News Service.
The Federal Maritime Commission in the US decided late last year to launch a study into possible unfair practices by Ottawa for its container ports, raising fears of a damaging trade war.
Richard Lidinsky, the chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), said he would be proposing a study on whether Canadian and Mexican ports are benefiting from unfair subsidisation, following a request for an investigation by two US senators from Washington state.
They wanted an investigation of “diversions” of US-bound, Asia-origin cargo through Canada, brought into United States via Canadian rail services.
Some of the issues to be investigated include the Harbour Maintenance Tax, which isn’t in place in Canada, as well as rail service rates and infrastructure funding. Read more here.
Memorandum D11-5-9: Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCOFTA) Rules of Origin
(CBSA)
This memorandum contains the CCOFTA Rules of Origin Regulations and provides a link to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC) Web site where the Rules of Origin for the CCOFTA may be found.
RULES OF ORIGIN
1. The following provisions of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Colombia, signed on November 21, 2008, have the force of law in Canada:
a. Articles 301 to 305;
b. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 306;
c. Articles 307 to 315;
d. Article 318; and
e. Annex 301.
COMING INTO FORCE
2. These Regulations come into force on the day on which section 30 of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, chapter 4 of the Statutes of Canada, 2010, comes into force, but if they are registered after that day, they come into force on the day on which they are registered.
This memorandum contains the CCOFTA Rules of Origin Regulations and provides a link to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC) Web site where the Rules of Origin for the CCOFTA may be found.
RULES OF ORIGIN
1. The following provisions of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Republic of Colombia, signed on November 21, 2008, have the force of law in Canada:
a. Articles 301 to 305;
b. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 306;
c. Articles 307 to 315;
d. Article 318; and
e. Annex 301.
COMING INTO FORCE
2. These Regulations come into force on the day on which section 30 of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, chapter 4 of the Statutes of Canada, 2010, comes into force, but if they are registered after that day, they come into force on the day on which they are registered.
Canada-European Union Trade Agreement Key Element of Government’s Pro-trade Plan for Jobs and Growth
(DFAIT)
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today met with business leaders from a variety of sectors of the Canadian economy for a pre-budget consultation and to discuss the benefits to businesses and workers of a Canada-EU trade agreement.
The event in Toronto was hosted by the Canada Europe Roundtable for Business (CERT) and included business leaders from Canada’s pharmaceutical, engineering, forestry, energy, finance, infrastructure and automotive sectors, as well as representatives of Canada’s small-business community.
“Pro-trade groups, such as yours, recognize the many benefits to workers and businesses that a Canada-EU trade agreement will bring, and I am pleased to say that we are on track to conclude negotiations in 2012,” said Minister Fast. “Toward this end, productive meetings between Canadian and EU negotiators continue, including during this past week in Ottawa.”
The potential benefits of a comprehensive economic and trade agreement are significant. A deal with the European Union could boost bilateral trade by 20%. It could also provide a $12-billion annual boost to Canada’s economy, which is equivalent to a $1,000 increase to the average Canadian family’s income or almost 80,000 new jobs. It would also mean more opportunities for workers in many sectors of the economy, including aerospace, automotive, chemicals, plastics, aluminum, wood products, and fish and seafood.
“The government’s economic leadership shown in their ambitious pro-trade plan will keep Canada’s economy strong,” said Jason Langrish, Executive Director of CERT. “The Canada-EU free trade agreement will provide a significant boost to Canada’s economy every year after it is implemented—which is good for businesses and workers and good for Canada.”
Minister Fast also took the opportunity to consult the business leaders on Economic Action Plan 2012.
“Our broad and ambitious pro-trade, low-tax plan for jobs and growth has worked and served Canadians well,” said Minister Fast. “Almost 610,000 more Canadians are working today than when the recession ended, resulting in the strongest rate of employment growth, by far, among G-7 countries. Prime Minister Harper’s actions to lower taxes, pay down debt, reduce red tape and promote free trade and innovation are creating jobs and growth for Canadians.”
In less than six years, Canada has concluded free trade agreements with nine countries: Colombia, Peru, Jordan, Panama, the European Free Trade Association states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and most recently Honduras.
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today met with business leaders from a variety of sectors of the Canadian economy for a pre-budget consultation and to discuss the benefits to businesses and workers of a Canada-EU trade agreement.
The event in Toronto was hosted by the Canada Europe Roundtable for Business (CERT) and included business leaders from Canada’s pharmaceutical, engineering, forestry, energy, finance, infrastructure and automotive sectors, as well as representatives of Canada’s small-business community.
“Pro-trade groups, such as yours, recognize the many benefits to workers and businesses that a Canada-EU trade agreement will bring, and I am pleased to say that we are on track to conclude negotiations in 2012,” said Minister Fast. “Toward this end, productive meetings between Canadian and EU negotiators continue, including during this past week in Ottawa.”
The potential benefits of a comprehensive economic and trade agreement are significant. A deal with the European Union could boost bilateral trade by 20%. It could also provide a $12-billion annual boost to Canada’s economy, which is equivalent to a $1,000 increase to the average Canadian family’s income or almost 80,000 new jobs. It would also mean more opportunities for workers in many sectors of the economy, including aerospace, automotive, chemicals, plastics, aluminum, wood products, and fish and seafood.
“The government’s economic leadership shown in their ambitious pro-trade plan will keep Canada’s economy strong,” said Jason Langrish, Executive Director of CERT. “The Canada-EU free trade agreement will provide a significant boost to Canada’s economy every year after it is implemented—which is good for businesses and workers and good for Canada.”
Minister Fast also took the opportunity to consult the business leaders on Economic Action Plan 2012.
“Our broad and ambitious pro-trade, low-tax plan for jobs and growth has worked and served Canadians well,” said Minister Fast. “Almost 610,000 more Canadians are working today than when the recession ended, resulting in the strongest rate of employment growth, by far, among G-7 countries. Prime Minister Harper’s actions to lower taxes, pay down debt, reduce red tape and promote free trade and innovation are creating jobs and growth for Canadians.”
In less than six years, Canada has concluded free trade agreements with nine countries: Colombia, Peru, Jordan, Panama, the European Free Trade Association states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and most recently Honduras.
RBC Canadian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index Finds Both Output and New Order Growth Slow Sharply in January
(Royal Bank of Canada)
Canadian production and new orders increased only modestly in January, according to the RBC Canadian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (RBC PMI).
The headline RBC PMI - a composite indicator designed to provide a single-figure snapshot of the health of the manufacturing sector - registered 50.6 in January, down sharply from 54.0 in December, and indicated the weakest improvement in Canadian manufacturing business conditions since data collection began in October 2010. Index readings above 50.0 signal expansion from the previous month; readings below 50.0 indicate contraction.
The RBC PMI found that Canadian manufacturing business conditions improved in January, with firms reporting further output and new order growth. However, both rates of expansion were only modest and the weakest since data collection began. Concurrently, employment fell for the first time in the survey history, while the rate of input price inflation strengthened to a five-month high. Read more here.
Canadian production and new orders increased only modestly in January, according to the RBC Canadian Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (RBC PMI).
The headline RBC PMI - a composite indicator designed to provide a single-figure snapshot of the health of the manufacturing sector - registered 50.6 in January, down sharply from 54.0 in December, and indicated the weakest improvement in Canadian manufacturing business conditions since data collection began in October 2010. Index readings above 50.0 signal expansion from the previous month; readings below 50.0 indicate contraction.
The RBC PMI found that Canadian manufacturing business conditions improved in January, with firms reporting further output and new order growth. However, both rates of expansion were only modest and the weakest since data collection began. Concurrently, employment fell for the first time in the survey history, while the rate of input price inflation strengthened to a five-month high. Read more here.
K84 February 2012
(CBSA)
Although payment for February’s monthly K84 statements will be due as usual on February 29, 2012, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) realizes that some months have fewer days to arrange for payment, creating a challenge for clients. Therefore, the CBSA will not issue a late payment penalty or charge interest if the payment is received after February 29, 2012, but on March 1, 2012 before 16:30 local time. Should payments be received after March 1, 2012, 16:30 local time, they will be subject to interest and penalties effective March 1, 2012. Should you have any questions, please contact the Assessment Unit by email at CBSA-ASFC_Assessment-Cotisation@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
Note: This also applies to Customs Self Assessment (CSA) importers. The customary month end Revenue Summary Form payment processes should be followed.
Although payment for February’s monthly K84 statements will be due as usual on February 29, 2012, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) realizes that some months have fewer days to arrange for payment, creating a challenge for clients. Therefore, the CBSA will not issue a late payment penalty or charge interest if the payment is received after February 29, 2012, but on March 1, 2012 before 16:30 local time. Should payments be received after March 1, 2012, 16:30 local time, they will be subject to interest and penalties effective March 1, 2012. Should you have any questions, please contact the Assessment Unit by email at CBSA-ASFC_Assessment-Cotisation@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
Note: This also applies to Customs Self Assessment (CSA) importers. The customary month end Revenue Summary Form payment processes should be followed.
Mexico: High Stakes Situation
(Export Development Canada – Peter G. Hall)
Much has been said in recent years about the promising Mexican economy. It is often mentioned in the same breath as the mighty BRICS, given Mexico’s increased international focus in the past quarter-century. This has paid great dividends, but has exposed Mexico to today’s wobbly world economy. Does global uncertainty threaten to render the promise hollow?
Thus far, Mexico’s stats remain impressive. Third-quarter GDP surprised on the high side, rising 5.3% at annual rates. Growth was broadly based, and came in spite of persistent declines in oil production. Manufacturing activity is powering industrial production, and solid export growth lifted the trade balance to a small surplus in December. Steady economic growth lowered the unemployment rate below the 5% marker in the fourth quarter of 2011, and the trend is decidedly downward. Inflation is creeping upward, but all things considered, the economy looks in good shape. Read more or watch the video here.
Much has been said in recent years about the promising Mexican economy. It is often mentioned in the same breath as the mighty BRICS, given Mexico’s increased international focus in the past quarter-century. This has paid great dividends, but has exposed Mexico to today’s wobbly world economy. Does global uncertainty threaten to render the promise hollow?
Thus far, Mexico’s stats remain impressive. Third-quarter GDP surprised on the high side, rising 5.3% at annual rates. Growth was broadly based, and came in spite of persistent declines in oil production. Manufacturing activity is powering industrial production, and solid export growth lifted the trade balance to a small surplus in December. Steady economic growth lowered the unemployment rate below the 5% marker in the fourth quarter of 2011, and the trend is decidedly downward. Inflation is creeping upward, but all things considered, the economy looks in good shape. Read more or watch the video here.
U.S. Calls for Global Co-Operation on Supply Chain Security
(International Freighting Weekly)
US Secretary Napolitano says DHS is committed to protecting transport systems from attack and disruption
US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has issued a new call for global co-operation on supply chain security.
Discussing the new National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security at last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was committed to protecting transport systems from attacks and disruptions, and increasing the resilience of global supply chains.
“We must continue to strengthen global supply chains to ensure that they operate effectively in time of crisis, recover quickly from disruptions and facilitate international trade,” she said. Read more here.
US Secretary Napolitano says DHS is committed to protecting transport systems from attack and disruption
US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has issued a new call for global co-operation on supply chain security.
Discussing the new National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security at last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was committed to protecting transport systems from attacks and disruptions, and increasing the resilience of global supply chains.
“We must continue to strengthen global supply chains to ensure that they operate effectively in time of crisis, recover quickly from disruptions and facilitate international trade,” she said. Read more here.
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