CANADA SHOULD PURSUE TRADE DEAL WITH U.K.: MacKAY

Canada should be actively pursuing free trade with the United Kingdom even as it pushes ahead with CETA, says former federal cabinet minister Peter MacKay. “As a trusted friend, honest broker and ally to both the U. K. and the European Union, Canada can pursue free trade with the U.K. without undermining CETA,” said MacKay, who is a partner at Baker & McKenzie LLP in Toronto. “Canada is also positioned to help shape Brexit.” McKay’s comments followed on his address to the Canada- U. K. Chamber of Commerce at the House of Lords on Friday, during which he provided his perspective on a list of what Canadians would like to see from Brexit. Heading up MacKay’s wish list is the continuation of tariff-free, crossborder trade in goods between the U.K. and the EU.