GM and Auto Workers Union talks past deadline
Saturday, May 16 2009 - The talk concerning General Motors's (GM) cost concessions, between GM Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW), was scheduled to end at midnight last night, but both sides were empty handed when the deadline hit.[1] Both federal and provincial governments are urging GM to enact cost-cutting measures in order to prove that they are deserving of the CA$6 billion in aid that GM requested in early February.[2]The company is required to present it's restructuring plans to the government by July 1st. Union president Ken Lewinski says that "the government wants a report no later than the latter part of this afternoon.[1] The union says that no decisions have been reached because the government is making many more demands of the GM membership than they did of Chrysler Canada. Specifically, GM wants to cut health-care benefits and well as reduce pension benefits for future retirees. A GM Canada spokesperson refused to comment on the situation, saying only that there is "lots of hard work going on".
Canada challenges EU vote to ban sales of seal products
May 7, 2009 - The Canadian Government will seek to challenge the
European Union vote taken May 5 to ban the sale of
seal products. Trade Minister
Stockwell Day will launch an appeal process with the
World Trade Organization unless Canada is exempted as they regulate sustainable and humane
seal hunting.
[5][6] The EU voted 550 to 49 to ban sale of seal products. Canadian Senator
Mac Harb has a petition bearing over 500,000 signatures which supports a bill introduced to end Canada's annual $2.4 million dollar
commercial seal hunt.
[7] Prime Minister
Stephen Harper arrived in
Prague the same day to begin free trade talks with the EU. He said of the seal hunt, that "it is a concern and unless there is improvement the Government of Canada will have to take some actions. We cannot let a single disagreement contaminate and undermine all the other issues."
[8]
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