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ARTICLE · 18 MARCH 2008

Budget 2008: The Trade And Border Security Agenda

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
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On February 26, 2008, the federal government announced its Budget for 2008. With this Budget, the government aims to strike a delicate balance between further opening Canada’s borders to trade and investment, and security measures which would seem to restrict our borders to trade, investment and travel. While the Budget highlights security as a primary area for concern, we are likely to see the same sustained focus on negotiating bilateral trade and investment agreements as occurred in 2007.

CanadaInternational Law
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
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Copyright 2008, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Originally published in Blakes Bulletin March, 2008

On February 26, 2008, the federal government announced its Budget for 2008. With this Budget, the government aims to strike a delicate balance between further opening Canada’s borders to trade and investment, and security measures which would seem to restrict our borders to trade, investment and travel. While the Budget highlights security as a primary area for concern, we are likely to see the same sustained focus on negotiating bilateral trade and investment agreements as occurred in 2007. Moreover, although the Budget includes a number of measures to increase the ability of Canadian industries and manufacturers to remain competitive in a global marketplace, it has become the subject of criticism for not going far enough in terms of offering financial support and incentives to industry.

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