Trade News

The following is from the 1 March 2011 edition of The Journal of Commerce ”joc.com”. NAFTA suppliers responding to improved demand, says AIIS U.S. steel imports increased month-to-month 9.4 percent in January from December, according to preliminary government data.

The following is excerpted from the 1 March 2011 edition of "globeandmail.com". Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney left his benchmark interest rate at 1 per cent Tuesday, acknowledging that the domestic recovery is showing more strength than anticipated while continuing to flag a series of global risks that now includes upheaval in oil-producing countries such as Libya.

The following is from the 28 February 2011 edition of Canadian Transportation and Logistics ”ctl.ca”. The Canadian railway industry carried 23.2 million tonnes of freight in December, a 7.5% gain from December 2009, according to a report from Statistics Canada. Officials say the gain was the result of increased loadings by the industry's core transportation systems, non-intermodal and intermodal, and international freight loadings from the US.

The Winter 2011 edition of CRA’s Excise and GST/HST News is now available at: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gr/news79/news79-e.pdf It covers the following topics: GST/HST rebates and public service bodies (PSBs) Reminder – PSB NETFILE Proposed changes to certain GST/HST rules relating to financial institutions Bill C-47 receives Royal Assent An enhanced focus on GST/HST compliance Option to purchase real property

The Department of Finance is currently reviewing a request for the removal of the customs duties on imports of special tramway trackwork made from grooved/girder guard rail. This special tramway trackwork encompasses switch blades, crossing frogs, point rods and other crossing pieces, known as switches or turnouts along a train to move from one track to another. The goods are made from rolled steel rails, sole plates, guard rails, steel frogs, and steel accessories such as clips and bolts.

Message to CSCB Corporate Member Principals From Candace Sider, CSCB Chair

Members may be interested in the following, published on 26 February, 2011, in Part I of the Canada Gazette. 1. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The Government of Canada is seeking the views of Canadians on the scope of a possible comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Canada and Japan. http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2011/2011-02-26/html/notice-avis-eng…

The following is excerpted from the 25 February 2011 edition of "cbc.ca". The Canadian dollar closed Friday at a more than three-year high and the Toronto Stock Exchange made triple-digit gains as oil prices stabilized, with investors reassured any shortfall in Libyan oil production would be recouped. The loonie's official close was 102.19 cents US, a gain of 0.47 of a cent, and its highest level since November 2007. The S&P/TSX composite index moved 184.82 points, or 1.3 per cent higher, to 14,052.13.

There are three (3) easy steps to renewing your designation: Login to your account and verify your personal information; If you have not yet done so, set your privacy requirements; and Pay via credit card or cheque. Renewal Fee Your renewal fee is $105.00 + applicable taxes (GST/HST). Please provide payment before February 28, 2011. Individual Payment

Three others will have shorter hours The following is from the 25 February 2011 edition of "montrealgazette.com". Despite lobbying from municipal officials, the Canadian Border Services Agency says it still plans to go ahead with the closing of its inland customs office in the city of Drummondville, as part of its restructuring in Quebec. The restructuring is related to budget cuts that are part of a national spending review by the CBSA.

The following is excerpted from the 28 February 2011 edition of "globeandmail.com". Canada’s economy sped up at the end of last year, topping forecasts and raising expectations of higher interest rates in the coming months. The country’s gross domestic product grew at an annual 3.3-per-cent rate in the fourth quarter of last year, accelerating after a 1.8-per-cent expansion in the prior quarter, Statistics Canada said Monday. It revised the third quarter from an originally reported 1 per cent.

The following is from the 25 February 2011 edition of Canadian Transportation and Logistics ”ctl.ca”. North American freight railroad Canadian Pacific and the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) today announced the signing of a collaborative agreement on performance and productivity that formalizes the railroad's and the port's ongoing supply chain collaboration.

The following is a 25 February 2011 news release by Department of Finance. The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today released The Fiscal Monitor for December 2010. Highlight December 2010: budgetary deficit of $1.4 billion There was a budgetary deficit of $1.4 billion in December 2010, compared to a deficit of $3.1 billion in December 2009.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers that the Wild Horse port of entry will extend its hours of operation on March 1, 2011. The seasonal hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, until October 31, 2011. The Wild Horse port of entry is located 200 km south of Medicine Hat, Alberta on Highway 41.

The following is from the 25 February 2011 edition of "cbc.ca". The Canadian dollar jumped one-third of a cent to a new three-year high above US$1.02 Friday morning even as oil prices have begun to stabilize on news Saudi Arabia intends to make up any supply disruptions out of Libya. The loonie touched US$1.0203 at about 8 a.m. ET, its highest level since March 2008. A major driver for this new strength is weakness in the U.S. dollar, Camilla Sutton, currency strategist with Scotia Capital, said in a report Friday.

The CSCB Toronto Region is holding a general meeting to discuss " Customs Compliance - Understanding the Audit Process" on March 24, 2011, between 5:00 and 9:00 pm. The meeting will take place at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 6257 Airport Road in Mississauga. Members with questions about seminar content can email Ken Tracy at [email protected] or call him at 416-593-1380.

The following is from the 24 February 2011 edition of the "American Shipper". A group of 11 trade associations on Wednesday wrote Senate Finance Committee leaders urging a favorable recommendation to confirm Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin, whose future as head of the agency remains in limbo. President Obama re-nominated Bersin for the position on Jan. 26.

Following a meeting with the representatives of the Drummondville Economic Development Group today, Bernard Brie, Regional Director General for the Quebec Region at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), made the following statement regarding the CBSA inland office in Drummondville, Quebec.

The following is excerpted from a 24 February 2011 news release by The Conference Board of Canada. The booming Northern mining industry will power economic growth in all three Canadian territories this year, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s Territorial Outlook-Winter 2011.