Prime Minister Mark Carney has named two British Columbians to his new Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations.
Carney announced the committee on Tuesday (April 21) in Ottawa. It will serve as a forum for expertise and strategy on all aspects of the Canada-U.S. economic relationship.
From B.C. are Teck Resources Ltd. president Jonathan Price and Canfor president Susan Yurkovich.
Teck is a B.C.-based mining and resource company with operations in B.C, Alaska, Chile, and Peru. Canfor is a low-carbon forest products manufacturer with operations in Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
“I would say it would always be great to have more B.C. representatives – having two is a start,” B.C.’s Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon told reporters in Victoria Tuesday following the announcement.
He added the province is having conversations with the federal government about how the impacts of a new renegotiated CUSMA, or Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, could have impacts not just on B.C., but all of the provinces.
B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar added he’s excited to have both Price and Yurkovich on the committee.
“(Yurkovich) believes very strongly in a strong, robust forest sector and we’re excited about ensuring that we have that deal,” Parmar said.
He also highlighted Luc Thériault, the CEO of pulp and wood products and president of Domtar Canada.
“I think having Luc Thériault from Domtar and Susan Yurkovich from Canfor, two large companies operating in British Columbia and Canada, is good news,” Parmar said.
“But we are going to continue to remind the federal government, especially as they are beginning CUSMA negotiations, that for British Columbia, softwood is our auto sector. Softwood is our steel sector and we need a resolve to this issue.”
The committee is made up of leaders from major sectors of the Canadian economy. It will be chaired by the Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, Dominic LeBlanc.
Other notable members of the committee include: Erin O’Toole, former federal Conservative Party leader; Jean Charest, former Quebec premier and MP; P.J. Akeeagok, former Nunavut premier; Ralph Goodale, former federal public safety minister.
They’re joined by: Jean Simard, Candace Laing, Darryl White, Lisa Raitt, Tracy Robinson, Flavio Volpe, Ron Bedard, Ken Seitz, Dennis Darby, Lana Payne, François Poirier, Émile Cordeau, Luc Thériault, Magali Picard, Michael Harvey, Tabatha Bull, Cameron Bailey and Valérie Beaudoin.
“Canada is approaching its economic relationship with the United States with focus, discipline, and unity,” Carney said.
“This new Advisory Committee ensures that government is drawing on the best advice and the broadest perspectives to advance Canada’s economic interests. Our goal is a strong economic partnership with the United States that creates greater certainty, security, and prosperity for all.”
The new committee comes as Canada is approaching the joint review of CUSMA.
The advisory committee is set to hold its first meeting on April 27.