Evening Brief: Another hitch in USMCA negotiations – iPolitics.ca

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Good evening, readers.

The Lead

Mexico will not allow U.S. labour attaches in the country, said Gomez Camacho, Mexicos ambassador to Canada.

The ambassadors comments come in response to legislation introduced in the U.S. Congress that would send five U.S. labour attaches to Mexico to ensure labour provisions under the United-Stated-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) are being properly enforced. In an exclusive interview with iPolitics, Camacho said embassy personal must be approved by the host country and Mexican authorities would not allow labour attaches even if the U.S. Congress approved them.

If the intention was for these labour attaches to do any function of inspection, we absolutely disagree and we do not accept that he said.

Camacho said the proposal was put forward by U.S. lawmakers due to internal negotiations with trade unions who he said were concerned that U.S. jobs might go to Mexico if standards around wages were not set and enforced.

But, the ambassador said the three countries should follow the process currently laid out in USMCA. He said any of the three countries can make a labour complaint if they believe private businesses in another country is not following the provisions under USMCA.

Rachel Emmanuel reports.

In Canada

Ottawa is projected to run a $26.6 billion deficit in the current fiscal year, according to government economic and fiscal update released on Monday.

In the first presentation of federal finances since the October election, Finance Canada figures show Ottawa is expected to run annual deficits in the tens of billions of dollars for the immediate future.

The deficit total is expected to increase to a high of $28.1 billion next fiscal year, 2020-21, before gradually declining into 2024-25, when the estimated annual amount is projected to be $11.6 billion. The federal fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31.

Jolson Lim has the breakdown.

New Brunswicks premier says the prime minister told him his provinces plan to limit the greenhouse gas emissions of large emitters could be accepted as early as January, just days after the federal government announced it accepted the provinces plan that directly applies to consumers.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs was in Ottawa on Monday where he andPrime Minster Justin Trudeaumet and discussed the provinces proposed output-based pricing system for large industrial carbon emitters. Higgs said that Trudeau told him he would seek cabinets approval for New Brunswicks planned replacement for the federal governments own system sometime next month.

iPolitics reporter Charlie Pinkerton has the details.

A new Statistics Canada study shows the share of gig economy workers in Canada is increasing a trend that one economist says is worrisome.

The report from the federal agency released on Monday found about 1.7 million workers, 8.2 per cent of the Canadian labour force aged 15 and older, did some form of gig work in 2016. That marks an increase from about 1 million workers in 2005, 5.5 per cent.

Gig economy work is defined in the study as unincorporated self-employed workers who enter into various contracts with firms or individuals to complete a specific task or to work for a specific period of time. It includes freelancers and on-demand workers hired by online platforms such as Uber and Fiverr.

Lim has this one as well.

In Ontario, the provincial Alcohol and Gaming Commission was aware of at least one law enforcement matter, as well as ongoing investigative work, in the days following its last cannabis lottery, a document obtained by iPolitics shows just days after Ontario announced its impending move away from the lottery system.

A briefing note on the last retail lotterys results, acquired through a freedom of information request, contains multiple sections redacted due to information that could reasonably be expected to interfere with a law enforcement matter, or an investigation undertaken with a view to a law enforcement proceeding. Information was also redacted that was seen to possibly reveal investigative techniques in use or likely to be used. Much of the redacted information was contained under a section detailing the AGCOs next steps following the provincial draw.

Victoria Gibson reports from Toronto.

Lobby Wrap: Three consultants register for Large Urban Mayors Caucus of Ontario

The Sprout: Mexico says no to U.S. labour inspectors, says ambassador

The Drilldown: Jason Kenney headed to London to talk energy

In Other Headlines

Morneau open to Alberta Premier Kenneys request for a boost to fiscal stabilization program (CBC News)

Conservative leadership gets committed candidate as political heavyweights mull options (CBC News)

Former Harper-era minister Michael Fortier looking very seriously at run for Conservative leadership (The Hill Times)

NDP wants more transparency, regular reviews of new North American trade deal (The Canadian Press)

Internationally

Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his support for Hong Kongs embattled leader on Monday. Xi praised Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam for holding fast to the principle of one country, two systems, and for courage and commitment during an extraordinary period for Hong Kong, where Lam has faced harsh criticism for how she has handled months of fiery anti-government protests. (The Associated Press)

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday that President Donald Trump will announce an American troop drawdown from Afghanistan this week, potentially reducing the troops from 12,000 to 8,600. The senator said he supports the expected drawdown, saying the fewer U.S. troops would still be sufficient to guarantee that Afghanistan doesnt become a launching pad for another attack on U.S. soil. The withdrawal will likely begin next year. (The Associated Press)

The Kicker

How old do you think the worlds oldest couple is? Well, John and Charlotte Henderson recently celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary at 106 and 105-years-old respectively. I guess true love does exist.

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Evening Brief: Another hitch in USMCA negotiations - iPolitics.ca