Competitiveness

Advancing Canada’s Arctic Agenda?

September 1, 2010
Prime Minister Stephen Harper toured Canada's Arctic last week for the fifth time since he took office, in an effort to reaffirm Canada's claims to the region. In 2009, Harper's tour resulted in the establishment of an official Northern strategy and the creation of CanNor, a regional economic development agency, in the interest of supporting socio-economic development, Canada's Northern sovereignty, the improvement of Northern governance, and the protection of the Northern environment. This year Harper's weeklong tour demonstrated that the federal government aims to reinforce these goals.

Report Highlight: The Role of Immigrants in the US Labor Market: An Update

August 6, 2010
Abstract - People born in other countries are a growing presence in the U.S. labor force. In 1994, 1 in 10 people in the U.S. labor force was born elsewhere, but in 2009, 1 in 7 was foreign born. About 40 percent of the foreign-born labor force in 2009 was from Mexico and Central America, and more than 25 percent was from Asia. This document updates the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO's) November 2005 paper The Role of Immigrants in the U.S. Labor Market.

Governing the Far North: Assessing Cooperation Between Arctic and Non-Arctic Nations

September 21, 2010 9:00 am - September 21, 2010 12:30 pm at The Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington DC
The Arctic continues to draw considerable attention from the international community. Both Arctic and non-Arctic nations are grappling with the looming environmental and security challenges that accompany the possibility of an ice-free Arctic. At the same time, they are assessing how to take advantage of the region’s vast economic potential in a sustainable manner. Though much remains to be resolved, there is a growing consensus that issues surrounding the Arctic concern not only Arctic, but non-Arctic countries as well.

Meeting Russia’s Arctic Aggression

August 31, 2010
In the icy waters of the Arctic, U.S. and Canadian icebreakers have launched a five-week mission to collect data on what’s known as the “extended continental shelf.” Led by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent, this Arctic cruise is far more than just a scientific expedition. In fact, it could have economic, energy, and even military implications. Here’s why. Read more

Report Highlight: FOCALPoint – Focus on Canada-Mexico

July 20, 2010
The new May edition of FOCALPoint focuses on the significant Canada-Mexico relationship. In this edition, which includes an article from Ambassador of Mexico to Canada, Francisco Barrio-Terrazas the often forgotten but important relationship between Canada and Mexico is highlighted. The various authors point to the increase in trade and foreign investment between the two countries as well as the evolving cooperation between Canadian provinces and Mexican states in the areas of agriculture, forestry, environmental management and education.

News Release: Remarks by the President Announcing the President's Export Council

July 12, 2010
President Obama Provides Progress Report on National Export Initiative, Announces Members of the President's Export Council   (Washington, DC - July 7, 2010) Goal of doubling exports over five years to support millions of American jobs is on track WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Barack Obama will provide a progress report on the National Export Initiative (NEI), which shows that the President's goal of doubling exports and supporting several million new jobs over five years is on track, and that exports in the first four months of 2010 grew almost 17 percent from the same period last year. S

Remarks by President Obama at G-20 Press Conference in Toronto, Canada

July 9, 2010
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release June 27, 2010 Remarks by President Obama at G-20 Press Conference in Toronto, Canada Intercontinental Hotel, Toronto, Canada 6:03 P.M.