On May 31, 2018, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, confirmed that Canada’s exemption from their newly instated 25% steel tariff is set to expire on June 1. Only hours after this announcement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a press conference expressing the Canadian Government’s disapproval of this action, as well as an intent to impose [...]
U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on globally implemented tariffs shook the aluminum and steel industry in early March of this year. However, U.S. allies, Canada and Mexico, were granted a temporary exemption until May 1, 2018, while NAFTA agreements were being negotiated. On the eve of the original deadline set out, Trump announced an exemption extension [...]
Manitoba's Bill 218, the Prompt Payments in the Construction Industry Act, has passed its second reading with a unanimous vote! All parties in Manitoba, including the Liberal, NDP and PC parties, demonstrated an understanding of the issues that arise due to delayed payments, as well as their sympathy for those affected by it. Bill 218 was [...]
On April 11, Bill 218, The Prompt Payments in the Construction Industry Act, was introduced by Reg Helwer, MLA from Brandon West, alongside the Manitoba Prompt Payment Coalition (MBPP). At this time, there is no system that protects contractors and subcontractors in Manitoba from delayed payments. Bill 218 will finally put our tradespeople at ease while [...]
Ontario has passed Bill 194, Fairness in Procurement Act, 2018, which will restrict procurement opportunities for companies from states in the U.S. that have or will pass the Buy American Act. Currently, Texas and New York have put in place legislation geared at iron and steel. Regulations have already been proposed to protect Government entities who [...]
On March 8, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump signed proclamations declaring a 25% steel tariff and a 10% aluminum tariff on imports, which will impact countries globally in 15 days. However, he has excluded Canada and Mexico from these taxes contingent on ongoing NAFTA negotiations being resolved -- claiming that the outcome of NAFTA could potentially [...]
On February 20, 2018, the Ontario government introduced Bill 194, the Fairness in Procurement Act. If passed, this act protects Ontario businesses by allowing the province to take action as a result of unfair procurement practices in U.S. state and federal projects. Bill 194 is currently ordered for a Third Reading. The CISC applauds the Ontario [...]
March 1, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “As a key NORAD and NATO ally, and as the number one customer of American steel, Canada would view any trade restrictions on Canadian steel and aluminum as absolutely unacceptable. “Any restrictions would [...]
In a report done by the U.S. Commerce Department, Secretary Wilbur Ross has announced recommendations for tariffs or quotas on imported steel. As per Section 232, due to claims of a threat to national security, the President of the U.S. can now choose to impose any tariffs or regulate imports. Ross is proposing three recommendations. First, [...]
Today in Gatineau, Quebec, the CISC joined Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and the Honourable Judy A. Sgro, Chair of [...]