Canadian Legislative News

USMCA Path to Ratification Unclear in the United States

The change of landscape in the U.S. Congress is making the path to ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the replacement for NAFTA, unclear. The Democrats have issues with the enforcement of the labor requirements in the agreement, environment and also the intellectual property clauses for pharmaceutical companies. They are requesting adding side letters to the deal for these particular issues.

It has become a bipartisan issue, as the tarrifs are having effects on all three countries' economies. Robert Lighthizer, a U.S. trade representative, has called for the lifting of the tariffs, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has indicated it will not support a trade deal ratification until the steel and aluminum tariffs are completely removed by all parties.

In Canada, the government has started the ratification process. The USMCA text was tabled before Parliament on December 13, 2018, and the process calls for 21 sitting days after tabling before a ratification bill is introduced. However, the government position now is that it will not ratify the deal until it knows what changes would be brought by the U.S. Congress. This creates a timing issue since it is an election year in Canada, and Parliament will not be in session from June 2019 to January 2020.

NAFA’s Canadian Counsel will continue to monitor and update the membership.

 

New Penalties for Distracted Driving Go into Effect Across Ontario

As of January 1, 2019, Ontario drivers face harsher penalties for distracted driving. The provincial government introduced the new rules in a bid to improve road safety. The new legislation was implemented to address unsafe behaviors on the roads.

The Ontario government has introduced new mandatory three-day license suspension on the first conviction for distracted driving as of January 2019. Those convicted of driving while distracted, including texting while behind the wheel, will have their license suspended for three days. First-time fines now range from between $615 to $1,000, up from the previous minimum of $490. Drivers will also be charged three demerit points for a first distracted-driving offense. Police forces across the province say that the new measures are necessary to remind people that distracted driving is unsafe.

It is likely that other provinces across the country will introduce similar measures to reduce unsafe behaviors on the roads.

NAFA’s Canadian Counsel will continue to monitor and inform the membership on these new rules.