INTERNATIONAL NEWS IN BRIEF…

CUSMA AND SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

Learn how to make the most of opportunities available for your business through the Canada-usa-mexico Agreement (CUSMA), also known as the new NAFTA. As of July 1, CUSMA rules and regulations are in effect. https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tradeagreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/cusma-aceum/ business-commerce.aspx?lang=eng

PROVINCE TRANSITIONS COVID-19 BORDER SCREENING TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

In early April, the Province introduced COVID-19 border screening measures, unprecedented in Canada, to help ensure British Columbians returning home from international destinations had the support they need to manage self-isolation plans and keep BC communities safe. While these border measures were pioneered in British Columbia, other provinces, the Federal Government and all Canadians have benefited as similar measures have since been implemented nationwide. Following the current transition period with the Federal Government, BC ended provincially led border check points on June 20, 2020. Federal screening measures currently in place will continue. Service BC will also continue compliance and wellness checks to ensure travellers can effectively maintain their 14-day selfisolation. news.gov.bc.ca/22438

NAFTA PANEL DECISION FOR CANADIAN LUMBER INDUSTRY

On May 22, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, released the following statement in response to the North American Free

Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ruling on the US International Trade Commission’s (USITC) determination that the Canadian lumber industry has harmed the US industry:

“Our government is extremely disappointed in the NAFTA panel’s ruling affirming the USITC’S January 2018 material injury determination. This is only one piece in the ongoing softwood lumber dispute, and resolving this dispute is our top trade priority. Separate NAFTA appeals of the Department of Commerce’s countervailing duty and anti-dumping duty determinations have also been initiated. We will continue to defend the 57,000 hard-working people whose livelihoods depend on BC’S forest industry against these unfair and unjustified tariffs. We will fight alongside Canada, on behalf of British Columbians and the communities that rely on the forest sector, as we continue to challenge these unfair tariffs through the appeals processes.”