Canada

During COA's 40th Washington Conference, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon discussed Canada's engagement in the Americas and regional economic integration, saying, "Protectionism is the single biggest threat to a thriving­­­ global economy, and free trade is the only viable alternative to protectionism."

The Winter Games draw questions about what bearing the Olympics will have on Vancouver’s economy. Local officials are banking on the Games to showcase the world’s most livable city in hopes of ushering along economic recovery.

Executive Vice President of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives David Stewart-Patterson makes a case in The Hill Times for why the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement is important to the Canadian economy, Colombian citizens, and labor protection standards.

As Canada's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Kent visits Tegucigalpa this week with an OAS delegation, Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin comments on Ottawa's commitment to resolving the Honduran dispute.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the Oval Office this week to talk security, trade, energy, and hockey. Ottawa's discomfort with "Buy American" provisions also caused Harper to make a rare trip to Capitol Hill, where he met with U.S. congressional leaders.

The H1N1 virus has cropped up across the Western Hemisphere. As North America prepares for flu season, lessons learned during the Southern Cone's winter provide insight to H1N1 response.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper marked the first visit by a Canadian premier to Panama by inking a trade deal with President Ricardo Martinelli. Writes Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin: "Washington’s diminishing interest in trade liberalization has served as an opportunity for Canada to pursue new markets and show world leadership on free trade."