On January 8 this year, the Canadian government initiated what will be one of Canada’s largest trade disputes against the United States, by challenging US Farm Bill subsidies for corn, soy and other grain products at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This case is the first of its kind...

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, David Emerson, heralded a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association in June by saying “Canada is back in the game.” In July, the government announced talks on free trade with Colombia, Peru and CARICOM (the Caribbean Community)....

Recent foreign takeovers of significant companies, including Alcan, Falconbridge, Inco, and Four Seasons Hotels, have grabbed Canadians’ attention, raising fresh worries over whether Canada is being “hollowed out.” Does the pace of foreign direct investment threaten our economic independence?

Before continuing a headlong rush to form free trade agreements with partners around the globe, Ottawa should pause to consider the effects of a web of FTAs. Matthew B. Adler argues that FTAs tend to interfere with multilateral trade negotiations, which potentially would deliver broader benefits.

The relative soundness of the Canadian domestic financial system throughout the crisis suggests that Canada’s regulatory framework does not require a major overhaul. But Canada could benefit if other countries introduced reforms to improve their macroeconomic stability. Other reforms are needed.

For the period 2001-2007, Canada ranked only 25th among 98 countries in its openness to world markets as measured by cross-border investment flows as a percentage of GDP. For inbound investment flows alone, it ranked 47th. Canada should look to dismantle barriers to both inbound and outbound...