November 15, 2005

The following information was published by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.

Inquiry into the Availability of Fabrics Produced in Canada

Information on the inquiry into the availability of fabrics produced in Canada is available on the website of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal at: http://www.citt-tcce.gc.ca/refer/notices/mn2f001_e.asp.
November 15 2005

September 13, 2005

The following information is provided by Russell A. Farrow (U.S.) Inc.

Last minute change announced

In a last minute change, effective September 16, 2005, the United States will require an importer's statement to accompany shipments arriving from Canada that contain unmarked wood packing material (WPM) that is exempt from the new treatment and marking requirement because the pallets, crates, boxes, etc. are made of wood originating in the U.S. or Canada.

Canada expected to follow

A similar requirement is expected to be announced by Canada shortly.

Significant change

This is a significant change for U.S. and Canadian importers because previous announcements by both the U.S. and Canada stated that there would be no additional documentation or certification requirements imposed by the new WPM rules.

No example of the exporter/importer statement has been provided at this time. Russell A. Farrow Limited will post that information as soon as it is available.

Please see the article posted below on this site, entitled "Wood Packing Material - FAQ's" dated September 12th, for additional information.

RC4144: Exporting Goods from Canada
May 2005

RC4144: Exporting Goods from Canada – Documentation Requirements for Exporters is available on the Canada Border Services Agency’s Web site at:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4144/README.html
May 2005

The following information is excerpted from the 24 March 2005 edition of “The Journal of Commerce”.

The federal government has named two mediators to help Canadian National Railway and the union representing signal and communications employees reach a deal and avoid a strike called for midnight Friday night.

"I am hopeful that with a willingness to be flexible and much hard work, the parties will be able to reach a settlement without a work stoppage," Labor Minister Joe Fontana said in a statement Wednesday. The railroad served notice it will maintain normal rail operations across Canada if the signal and communications employees deliver on the threat to strike.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said late Tuesday the 644 workers in the CN local plan to begin a strike Friday at midnight if no agreement is reached…

The two sides were divided on standby provisions, quality of life issues, wages and benefits, the union said.

The company announced last week an agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents 1,750 locomotive engineers, to delay any labor action until May 12.

Last month, CN signed a four-year contract with about 2,200 track maintenance workers. It also reached a tentative contract settlement in mid-February with about 2,600 conductors, yard service e employees and traffic coordinators

March 24, 2005

The following is excerpted from a broadcast email from the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers.

Customs Notice 609 advises that a review of normal values was initiated on 28 January 2005 respecting garlic, fresh or frozen, originating in or exported from the PRC and Vietnam.

CN609 is available on the CBSA web site, at: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/cn609/README.html
March 17, 2005

Members of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) have ratified a new four-year labour contract with CN. The new contract covers the period from Jan. 1, 2004, to Dec. 31, 2007.

CN has also reached a tentative contract with the United Transportation Union (UTU).

CN is working to renew collective agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) continues its review of CN services that should be maintained in the event of strikes or lockouts involving the TCRC, IBEW or UTU. Until the CIRB renders its decision, any right to strike or lock out is suspended.

CN has renewed labour agreements with the UTU section representing brakemen and conductors on the company's Northern Quebec Territory; the Canadian Auto Workers; the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference/Rail Traffic Controllers; and the Canadian National Railways Police Association.
March 2, 2005

The following article is excerpted from the 16 February 2005 edition of "The Journal of Commerce" circulated by the CSCB.

Ocean carriers have agreed to cut import cargoes at Vancouver's Deltaport by 25 percent a week for four weeks beginning February 28 as the port struggles to clear a backlog of containers.

"The backlog hasn't changed" from more than 5,000 containers, said Morley Strachan, vice-president of TSI Terminals Inc. TSI declared force majeure in mid-January,meaning that it was not liable for delays in delivering boxes.

With no significant reduction in the backlog and the surge of Asian imports continuing, just over a week ago TSI urged a reduction in import cargoes.

Strachan said carriers agreed to reduce imports "for a period of time, until we see some change in the backlog."

Initially, TSI predicted it would take seven to 10 weeks to clear the backlog. After a month with no change, there is no new forecast of how long it will take with the reduced cargo levels.
February 2005

CN and the United Transportation Union (UTU) announced yesterday (February 14) that they have signed a tentative labour contract covering approximately 2,600 conductors,

assistant conductors, yard service employees and traffic coordinators in Canada.

For more information, visit the UTU website at www.utu.org or the CN website at: http://www.cn.ca/news/newsreleases/2005/en_News20050214.shtml

Still pending is a settlement announcement with the 1,750 membership of the locomotive engineers of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) that already have a strike mandate pending the CIRB's findings on 'essential services'.