Finance Minister Bill Morneau today spoke to business leaders at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce about the Government's plan to secure Canada's economic future—a plan that includes getting Canada's resources to world markets. A key topic of discussion was the Government's recent commercial agreement with Kinder Morgan to secure the timely completion of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
Today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced that Canada has aligned its country of origin marking regime for steel and aluminum products with that of our closest trading partner, the United States. These regulatory changes expand the scope of steel and aluminum products that need to be marked with their country of origin, and amend the criteria used to determine the country of origin for marked goods. Aligning with U.S. requirements will help support effective customs enforcement by ensuring more consistent and predictable treatment of these goods by Canadian and U.S. authorities. These improvements to the marking regime were made following a recent consultation through the Canada Gazette.
The Government of Canada is committed to making investments that create good, well-paying jobs that help strengthen and grow the middle class; that help get Canada's resources to world markets; and that deliver economic benefits for all Canadians now, and for years to come.
To ensure that all Canadians pay their fair share of taxes, and to safeguard the Government's ability to invest in the programs and services that help the middle class and people working hard to join it, the Government of Canada is taking the next step in the fight against aggressive international tax avoidance.
The Government of Canada supports well-functioning payment systems that foster innovation, enable competition, and allow the Canadian economy to function smoothly. Innovation is particularly valuable—it's not only a major driver of economic growth, it has also led to the development of new technologies that make financial transactions more convenient and efficient for Canadians.
The Government of Canada is committed to an open, transparent and merit-based selection process for Governor in Council appointments that serve the interests of Canadians.
The Government of Canada is focused on the things that matter most to Canadians: growing the economy, creating jobs, strengthening the middle class, and helping everyone working hard to join it. The Government's investments in Canadians and their communities are good for business and good for middle class jobs.
In keeping with this commitment, Finance Minister Bill Morneau today announced the appointment of Jean Bédard as Chairperson of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (Tribunal). This appointment is for a term ending on July 31, 2020.
The Department of Finance Canada announced today that Canada's official international reserves decreased by an amount equivalent to US$1,074 million during April to US$82,221 million.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau today appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance to discuss Bill C-74, the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 1, which would enact key measures announced in Budget 2018. This legislation is the next step in the Government's plan to strengthen and grow the middle class, give real help to people working hard to join the middle class, and ensure that every Canadian has an equal and fair chance at success.
