Latest news with #MidwesternLegislativeConference
CBC
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
What did the recent Midwestern Legislative Conference accomplish?
The Morning Edition's weekly political panel discusses if the recent Midwestern Legislative Conference will affect any change in the current trade climate between Canada and the United States. The panel features political columnist Murray Mandryk, Canadian Press reporter Jeremy Simes and Morning Edition host Tory Gillis.
Global News
29-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
U.S. and Canada strengthen ties in push for nuclear energy leadership
North American leaders and energy executives are deepening cross-border collaboration in a renewed push for nuclear power, positioning the U.S. and Canada as strategic partners in global energy security. At the Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saskatoon, participants from both countries emphasized the importance of nuclear energy as a clean and reliable solution to growing power demands, particularly amid increasing geopolitical competition. 'Let's go through this incredible collaboration, coordination for economic benefit and security benefit here between Canada and the U.S., and we'll be able to dominate globally,' said John Gorman, president of Westinghouse Canada. Gorman noted that while the U.S. remains the current leader in operating nuclear reactors, that position could be challenged by the pace of development in countries like China. Canada's uranium reserves, particularly in Saskatchewan, were highlighted as key assets in the nuclear supply chain. Story continues below advertisement 'The number of reactors that are going to be needed not only here in North America but around the world… All of that manufacturing, those supply chains, the ongoing servicing, the fuel, all comes from North America,' said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Executives also addressed efforts to reduce reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium. 'We've got uranium from here, we've got conversion in Ontario… We're working on enrichment in Wilmington, North Carolina,' said Tim Gitzel, CEO of Cameco. 'The U.S. needs enrichment. Why? Because we gave it all away to the Russians and the Chinese over the last 25 years. They're handing us our lunch at the moment. We've got to get it back.' Despite growing interest, concerns about high costs and long construction timelines remain. Minnesota State Senator Ann Johnson Stewart raised questions about affordability after a U.S. nuclear project far exceeded its original budget. 'I do agree, we need to look more towards nuclear energy. However, the last nuclear plant that was built in the U.S. was originally estimated at $14 billion, ended up costing $35 billion, and had a seven-year time overrun,' Stewart said. Leaders acknowledged that regulatory reform will be key to speeding up deployment without compromising safety or public trust. 'We're 14 years away right now… to build nuclear reactors greenfield,' Moe said. Story continues below advertisement Despite the challenges, officials at the summit pointed to the broader strategic importance of energy independence. 'You ensure that your energy is secure and you're not dependent on unallied nations or unfriendly nations… And herein lies the greatest opportunity that we have as Canadians and Americans to really determine our own future,' said Moe.
CBC
29-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Former PM Stephen Harper says Ottawa asked him for advice on U.S. trade talks
Leaders and lawmakers from four provinces and 11 U.S. states are in Saskatchewan until Wednesday for the Midwestern Legislative Conference. Speaking at the conference, former prime minister Stephen Harper said he advised the Mark Carney government that Canada is too reliant on the U-S and needs to diversify it trading partners.
Vancouver Sun
29-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
'A wake-up call': Stephen Harper says he advised Carney team to look outside U.S. for trade growth
OTTAWA — Former prime minister Stephen Harper said Monday he's urging Ottawa to find new trading partners outside the United States. 'I think it's fair to say I'm probably the most pro-American prime minister in Canadian history,' Harper told Canadian and American legislators gathered for the annual Midwestern Legislative Conference meeting in Saskatoon. 'We've got to get something short-term worked out with the Trump administration. But this really is a wake-up call for this country to truly diversify its trade export markets. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Just because we have that geographic proximity does not justify the degree of dependence that we have on a single market.' Harper said he was approached by the government two weeks ago for advice on dealing with U.S. trade policy. The Canadian Press has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney's office whether it approached the former Conservative prime minister for advice but has not yet received a response. Harper told the conference that Canada should no longer rely on Washington for its security. 'While the border is a shared responsibility, let's make sure we spend a lot more on defence so that we can be independently responsible for our own land, seas and skies, independent of the United States,' he said. Harper said that anyone who had asked for his trade advice a year ago would have been urged to deepen economic and security ties with Canada's southern neighbour. 'However, when the government did actually ask me a few weeks ago, my advice was the opposite,' he said. Harper said that while Washington is using a failed economic policy of pursuing economic growth through tariffs, the U.S. still needs trading partners. 'We just cannot be in a position in the future where we can be threatened in this way and not have that leverage,' he said. 'The current government does, you know, get it better than their predecessors.' He said he hopes Americans recognize that they can't take their international allies and trading partners for granted. 'I really do hope that a realization seeps into the United States,' he told the crowd of American lawmakers. 'Canadians are a combination of just angry and bewildered by what is happening here. And that is very real. And it is very deep and it is across the country, and it is across the political spectrum.' Harper also said China is undermining global trade through its use of World Trade Organization mechanisms. He said the Pacific Rim trading bloc created through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership allows Canada to undertake trade with other countries that respect global rules. He also revealed that he told American officials during his time as prime minister that a military response would be needed to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb. 'I have been saying for 15 years at least that the single biggest threat of nuclear war was Iran ever getting a nuclear weapon,' he said. 'And I had told American administrations confidentially for years it was my conclusion (that) the only way to ever stop that would be military action.' — With files from Jeremy Simes in Saskatoon. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
29-07-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
'A wake-up call': Stephen Harper says he advised Carney team to look outside U.S. for trade growth
Article content OTTAWA — Former prime minister Stephen Harper said Monday he's urging Ottawa to find new trading partners outside the United States. Article content 'I think it's fair to say I'm probably the most pro-American prime minister in Canadian history,' Harper told Canadian and American legislators gathered for the annual Midwestern Legislative Conference meeting in Saskatoon. Article content Article content 'We've got to get something short-term worked out with the Trump administration. But this really is a wake-up call for this country to truly diversify its trade export markets. Article content Article content 'Just because we have that geographic proximity does not justify the degree of dependence that we have on a single market.' Harper said he was approached by the government two weeks ago for advice on dealing with U.S. trade policy. Article content The Canadian Press has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney's office whether it approached the former Conservative prime minister for advice but has not yet received a response. Article content Harper told the conference that Canada should no longer rely on Washington for its security. Article content 'While the border is a shared responsibility, let's make sure we spend a lot more on defence so that we can be independently responsible for our own land, seas and skies, independent of the United States,' he said. Article content Article content Harper said that anyone who had asked for his trade advice a year ago would have been urged to deepen economic and security ties with Canada's southern neighbour. Article content Article content 'However, when the government did actually ask me a few weeks ago, my advice was the opposite,' he said. Article content Harper said that while Washington is using a failed economic policy of pursuing economic growth through tariffs, the U.S. still needs trading partners. Article content 'We just cannot be in a position in the future where we can be threatened in this way and not have that leverage,' he said. Article content 'The current government does, you know, get it better than their predecessors.' Article content He said he hopes Americans recognize that they can't take their international allies and trading partners for granted. Article content 'I really do hope that a realization seeps into the United States,' he told the crowd of American lawmakers.
