Ottawa pushes for new chapter in free trade with U.S.

[CHIMO]

The Canadian government is asking the provinces to join it in creating a new trade deal with the United States.

Motivated by growing concern that Canadian firms are being frozen out of billions of dollars worth of bids in an increasingly protectionist United States, the Prime Minister is attempting to redraw the U.S.-Canada trade map.

Because the 1993 North American free-trade agreement does not include spending by local jurisdictions, contracts across North America involving everything from sewage systems to subway repairs are being awarded outside the framework of continental free trade.

And as the recession continues, Canadian firms have reported it is increasingly difficult to win rich contracts in U.S. cities because of the Buy American provisions of President Barack Obama's massive economic stimulus package, even though NAFTA countries are supposed to be exempt from them.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-pushes-for-new-chapter-in-free-trade-with-us/article1167896/

Another copout on the horizon. And it isn't only from the conservatives. There isn't a canadian party that is putting anything forward. Manufacturing. Resources. Canadian control of companies. Never mind government controlled funds.

Not one party has a position! Or rather a position for Canadians.