Trade News

The following is from the 1 March 2011 edition of "The Canadian Business Journal". The global economy is still too uncertain to still the pot, the Bank of Canada said today, as it held the overnight rate at 1 per cent. The hold had been widely expected, and the Bank of Canada has not changed its rates since September 2010.

The following is from the 1 March 2011 edition of Canadian Transportation and Logistics ”ctl.ca”. The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) is warning shippers and consumers that the sharp increase in diesel prices will have to be passed along the supply chain. Diesel jumped to its highest level in more than two years this week and has surged to $1.159 per litre in Winnipeg. That's up nearly 10 cents per litre in just one week. Prices have been driven up by ongoing unrest in the Middle East, particularly in Libya.

Appeal No. Appeal Name Act AP-2008-012R P.L. Light Systems Canada Inc. Customs Act AP-2009-017 Nutricia North America Customs Act AP-2009-045 Sher-Wood Hockey Inc. Customs Act AP-2009-066 Danson Décor Inc. Customs Act AP-2010-003 Rui Royal International Corp. Customs Act

The following is a 1 March 2011 press release from the World Customs Organization (WCO). Over 100 seizures of wildlife protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) were made in a two-week transregional operation in January and February 2011 to combat the illegal cross-border trade in great apes and other wildlife species including their derivatives.

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.