Trade News

Effective April 2, 2012, the Canada Border Serivces Agency (CBSA) began using a new CBSA integrated stamp. This stamp will replace legacy customs and immigration stamps previously in use. All previous versions of customs and immigration stamps will be retired and will no longer be authorized for use. _________________________________________________

The following is excerpted from the 3 April 2012 edition of The Globe and Mail. A decade after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that led to tough new restrictions at U.S. borders, President Barack Obama said Monday he was committed to making it “faster and cheaper to travel and trade.” It was just the sort of presidential focus on trade that Prime Minister Stephen Harper wanted to hear. This opinion piece is available in its entirety at:

The following is excerpted from a 2 April 2012 speech by Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of Canada. The broad economic strategy in response to the global financial crisis has been to grow domestic demand and to encourage Canadian businesses to retool and reorient to the new global economy.

The following is excerpted from a 2 April 2012 news release by the Office of the Prime Minister. Canada, the United States and Mexico recognize that successfully addressing security challenges in the Americas benefits all citizens in the hemisphere. In keeping with this goal, leaders from Canada, the United States and Mexico announced the establishment of the Central American Integration System (SICA)-North America dialogue on April 2, 2012, during the sixth North American Leaders’ Summit in Washington, D.C.

The following is excerpted from the 3 April 2012 edition of The Globe and Mail. Politicians often lament the grind of international travel, which, as Tony Blair observed in his memoirs, “plays havoc with your digestive system.” In that sense, it might be best all around to scrap the annual summit with the leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The following is excerpted from the 3 April 2012 edition of The Globe and Mail. Our size and global placement give Canadians multiple perspectives as we compete in the international market. But these advantages too often distract us, at a time when we need to focus and follow-through.

The following is a CBSA message (EDI12-032)

Chapter 06 was published to: i) change the release recommendation from "Refuse entry" to "Refer to CFIA-ISC" for all countries except the Continental United States for the following HS Code. 06.02.90.0025.02 - Potato - plants (Solanum toberosum) ii) streamline the import requirements for the following HS code. 06.04.20.0045.53 - Palm leaf, palm frond - fresh Please check your version numbers before submitting through EDI. If you have any questions, please contact your Import Service Centre.

This is a reminder that a full database backup of the production database (PROD) is scheduled for Saturday, April 7th, 2012. CFIA systems will be unavailable from 3am to 7am EST. Please note that full database backups of the production database (PROD) are scheduled for the first Saturday of every month between 3am to 7am EST. _________________________________________________

The Import Control Division will be closed for the Easter holiday from Thursday April 5, 2012 at 4:00 pm (ET) until Tuesday April 10, 2012 at 8:00 am. Please note: Ottawa Meat Import Control Centre (1-877-682-5191) will be opened Friday 5, April 2012 and Monday 9, April 2012 from the hours of 8 AM to 6 PM (ET). If you require assistance please contact the Import Service Centre: National ISC : 800-835-4486, 877-493-0468 We regret the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation. _________________________________________________

Order issued Friday, March 30, 2012 IN THE MATTER OF an interim review, pursuant to subsection 76.01(1) of the Special Import Measures Act, of the finding made by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal on November 24, 2009, in Inquiry No. NQ-2009-002, concerning: THE DUMPING OF MATTRESS INNERSPRING UNITS ORIGINATING IN OR EXPORTED FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA The Order is available at:

The following is excerpted from the 2 April 2012 edition of The Globe and Mail. As leading advocates for our respective countries’ automotive manufacturing industries, we recognize the unique relationship that exists between the Canadian and U.S. economies, especially as it relates to manufacturing and trade. Our two economies don’t simply trade goods with each other, we design and build things together for sale in the global marketplace and, in that process, support millions of jobs. This opinion piece is available in its entirety at:

Members may be interested in the following report, published on 28 March 2012: Open Government Consultation Report: What We Heard http://www.open.gc.ca/consult/results-resultatstb-eng.asp _________________________________________________

The following is excerpted from a 1 April 2012 news release by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. New trade initiative will save steel companies $10 million per year and contribute to economic growth and long-term prosperity

The following is a 30 March 2012 news release by Export Development Canada. Export Development Canada (EDC), Canada’s official export credit agency, and Sberbank of Russia, Russia’s largest commercial bank, today announced a trade finance partnership that aims to increase Canadian trade in the Russian Federation. Under the agreement, EDC will provide USD 275 million in financing to Sberbank to support transactions where Sberbank’s customers are buying Canadian supply and services. This release is available in its entirety at:

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today released The Fiscal Monitor for January 2012. Highlights January 2012: budgetary surplus of $1.7 billion

Spring is here and once again we are looking forward to our highly anticipated series of annual regional conferences. This year, in addition to our conferences, a special eManifest seminar has been scheduled for Calgary. So, please save these dates and watch for further details with registration details in the coming weeks. Wednesday, May 23 (afternoon only) – Prairie Regional Conference in Winnipeg Thursday, May 24 (afternoon only) – eManifest seminar in Calgary Friday, May 25 – BC Regional Conference in Vancouver

The following is a CBSA message (EDI12-031) The Electronic Commerce Unit will be closed for the Easter holiday from Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 17:00 (Eastern Time) until Monday, April 9, 2012 at 08:00 (ET). On Monday, April 9, between 08:00 and 16:00 (ET), officers will be available at 1-888-957-7224 to deal with production issues only.

The following is a 30 March 2012 news release by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 demonstrates the Government's commitment to the future prosperity of farmers and the safety of Canadian food. "Our Government was elected on a promise to focus on the economy and create jobs and growth in the agricultural industry," said Minister Ritz. "That's why our Government is squarely focused on innovation, market access and improving service to Canadians." This release is available in its entirety at: